December 2020 – Flannel with Faith

A year ago, I felt a stir,  
Unlike any I had felt before. 
To go along with what seemed normal,  
Fit with society, in terms of formal.
One might take a path that seems so right, 
Yet wonder why you can’t see the light.  
2020 was certainly a year of change,  
Everyone must have thought it strange.   
A darkness swept across the world,  
A pandemic was hurled; it swept and swirled.   
The lines were drawn with red and blue, 
Each side spoke out to chew and stew. 
In the middle I stood and loved those all around,  
And hoped that each one was heaven bound.  
Doors were shut, emissions went down,  
All the stores and restaurants closed around town.  
The spikes would occur and then down they’d go,  
In hopes of normalcy things started to flow. 
Some might say it’s been a record year,  
And the loss of so many still seems surreal.   
A new year is waiting to open its door,  
Will things be the same as they were before? 
Should you think there's a side that you must take,  
Let’s all be humane, for heaven’s sake.  
No matter what the new year brings, 
With faith, please cling and continue to sing.  
If music's not heard and hope starts to fade,  
Please think of good memories that you’ve already made. 
Someone loves you even more than I do,  
Without him, you would not be you.  
You may not believe- I love you anyway,  
May hope be your anchor is what I will pray.  
“Adieu to this year,” I whispered just now. 
“Happy New Year World!”-2020, PLEASE take a bow.    
K.L. Hale

Last Christmas I made the decision to begin blogging. I was nervous; but the time seemed right.  And by January I was excited about the winds of change I could feel (did any of us forecast such hurricane force gusts?).

This is an excerpt from my journal-January 1st, 2020.

“Really? It’s 2020. I was quite sure we would all be flying around like the Jetson’s at this point. Or at least I thought that as a little girl. I knew life would be way different. So many two’s-and the best-two sons, two daughters-in-law’s, and soon, two grandbabies. And a new 2-digit decade for me. Overseeing my own destiny sounds intriguing. But this year I MUST heed to HIS calling. I’m seeking wisdom with the year of my middle life. Lord, you know my strengths and weaknesses, you know my struggles. You know my needs, wants, and desires. You know the path I must take. It’s to the place where I am authentically yours and yours alone. And what resides there is my existence that reflects you. Thank you, God, for your love, guidance, protection, and blessings. “Listen,” you say. “I hear you,” I reply. I’ve heard you most in the quiet. And I’ll return to my small place to grow my grit and nurture my soul. Lord, I seek you in everything I do. I don’t know what this year will bring. But I do know this. Because of you I have the courage to begin writing. I came up with a name for my site, “Flannel with Faith”. You are telling me I can do this. It is time. It might be messy. And I’m to stand amid the mystery and become more comfortable embracing it. I can face it and embrace it. But suppressing it is not good. I no longer fear it. Growth is slow and meandering. And we grow through our trials. And at times, pruning is necessary. And endings can be necessary too. Help me to remind others of their value, strengths, and abilities. Guide my writing. I pray protection over my family, loved ones, and friends. You’ve given me the strength to step out. For with you, I am never alone. This is going to be a year of change. The dreams I had as a young girl, that were wrapped in neat little boxes, have been taken down from the shelf and handed to me once again, just as you’ve done before. They’re dusted off. “Open them,” you said. 2020, I don’t know what you’ll bring. But I am ready.”

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3