Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.
Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT
__________________________________________________________________________________________

As we get back into a ‘normal’ rhythm of things (the country opening back up, masks off, etc) I find myself looking back and mourning the year that will we never get back. A year of paused relationships outside our COVID bubble, a year of family get togethers with loved ones missed, sick friends/family that we were unable to comfort in person out of mandates and fear, our kids missing out on so many things in school, missed concerts and events. Life is SO precious. And so short. And we missed a YEAR. A WHOLE year.

But in the midst of the mourning, I have to remind myself that “the year that shall not be named” also gave all of us pause to recognize the things that are important, and perhaps cherish the blessed moments a little more than we might have, had we not gone through it. Intentionality of relationships has been a big one for me personally. It’s so easy to get caught up in the shuffle of our renewed busyness and use that as an excuse not to reconnect or connect anew.

I also keep reminding myself that mourning is GOOD. I’m gonna say that again for the people in the back. MOURNING. IS. GOOD!! Acknowledging and grieving what we have lost so that we can MOVE ON in a right mindset to carry on in the mission that Christ has for us. Stop living in fear. Find that joy again. Make that lunch date. Have a game night. Hug somebody! Treasure the luxury of seeing the lower half of people’s faces again! There are so many things that we take for granted!

So take a moment, mourn, acknowledge loss, thank God for the blessings you have and move FORWARD joyfully in whatever the Lord has called you to do!