Got Hope For 2021?

‘…tribulation….perseverance….character….HOPE…” (Romans 5:3-4)

To say that 2020 has been a disappointing year is kind of like saying, “The Grand Canyon is a little valley” or “The Mississippi River is small creek.” A pandemic, unnecessary deaths, and a controversial election have wreaked havoc on every corner of the world. We’ve run high on panic and short on patience (and toilet paper!) this year. Trust is in short supply and there is an abundance of disagreement. About the only thing we can agree on is we want 2020 to be OVER!

With all that has happened and is still going on, many have lost hope. I understand that feeling. I’ve been on the edge of that cliff, too. But something happened this year that helped bring me back from there.

A few months ago, though it seems like year now, I was shopping at Walmart in Bluefield. I was waiting in line to check out because the Self-Check Out was not taking cash due to the coin shortage, another 2020 casualty! There was a lady and her daughter in front of me with a LOT of items to purchase, so I was settled in for a long wait.

The daughter was sitting in the child seat of the shopping cart while Mom unloaded their items onto the conveyer belt. Eventually the child looked at me, so I waved. She waved back and smiled. I smiled, but I’m not sure the child could really tell because I was wearing my mask. A little later I decided to move my head over just enough to where the child couldn’t see my face. Immediately she leaned over, looked me in the eyes, smiled, and moved here head to where I couldn’t see her face. She was willing to play that simple game of “Peak-a-Boo”, and so was I!

This didn’t go on much longer before Mom noticed the child looking back and giggling a something. The Mom turned to me and saw I was a safe, friendly masked man who was helping entertain her child while they finished checking out and not one of those creeper, stalker masked criminals who meant harm. J

With Mom’s blessing, this game continued for another minute or so and the child decided to add another dimension. She stuck her tongue out at me and giggled! I realized then that one of us had to be the mature/responsible one in this situation and I guess it would have to be me, since I was the Adult. So I took the high road, lowered my mask, and stuck my tongue out at her! For that moment, we were both 4 years old! J And in those moments I found not only a brief reprieve from the craziness that is 2020, but also a divine reminder there is still HOPE.

There is a generation coming behind us. They enter this world in innocence. In time they will become aware of its harsh realities, accountable for their own choices, and responsible for the consequences. But for now, they are innocent and very trusting. They are like we should be with God. “…, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:3)

I have hope for 2021. Some of that hope comes from the early findings of how well the COVID vaccines are doing. Time will ultimately tell, but there is positive evidence this is working.

I am also finding hope in my family. My son Caleb, has faced the changes of 2020 with confidence. He works from home until further notice and is doing well. His wife/my daughter-in-law, Joy, is a Midwife. She is ESSENTIAL! Babies didn’t stop arriving just because the world went crazy. Joy has faced these challenges with grace, strength, and faith! I’m very proud of them both! By the way, they are expecting their first child (who happens to also be my grandchild!!!!!) in January 2021! That gives me great hope!

My daughter, Emilee, became a First-Year Teacher in 2020. She has faced the challenges of ‘these unprecedented times’ with skill and determination. Her husband/my son-in-law, Chase, is going through a career change in the middle of this mess. That’s not an easy task at any time, especially now, but he is rising to the challenge. I’m proud of them both! They give me great hope!

It’s not always easy to find hope, especially in 2020, but it really has been there all along. Some of it can be seen in an innocent child with her mom at the store. Some may be found in science. A lot can be seen in our family. But my greatest reason for hope in 2021 goes far beyond any of these:

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

2020 had definitely given us “tribulation”. It’s also given us the opportunity to develop “perseverance” and “character”. With these comes HOPE.

I AM hopeful for 2021! I am hopeful in Christ!

Bro. Ray J.