Reasons to Give Thanks in 2020

At the risk of stating the obvious, 2020 has been a very difficult year … in any number of ways. I hope you will allow me to share some personal testimony. Last week, one of our teenage daughters tested positive for COVID-19. In response, my wife and I kept our distance from her, (as much as you can living in the same house) as we stayed home and followed CDC guidelines to quarantine. Even though we showed no symptoms of having the virus, both of our employers (I have a part-time job outside of pastoring) told us not to return until we were tested and okayed by a doctor. My wife’s test came back negative within 72 hours. Yet at the time of the writing of this article, some 6 days after my test, here I sit, still confined to our home awaiting my results. The testing site (not so) politely told me I need not call every single day asking for results, but instead to patiently wait for them to contact me.

To err on the side of safety, and to prevent any potential outbreak, our church canceled in-person worship services this past Sunday. Although it’s not the same as actually gathering together, I was pleased to be able to preach via Facebook live, from our home. The stress that has been put on those in leadership throughout this pandemic has been enormous. The pressure has been absolutely overwhelming at times and I am only responsible for leading a small congregation. One can only imagine the burden on the backs of Mayors, City Council, Governors and our President. As coronavirus cases spike again, pastors and others are yet again forced to make some incredibly difficult decisions. As a pastor, I find myself in the unenviable position of trying to lead the church in a way that honors the Lord, obeys His Word but also shows due respect the rule of law. All the while knowing that whatever decisions are made, some of the membership will disagree.

Another factor making 2020 so agonizing is the fact that in July of this year, one of the most spiritually mature and supportive members of Memorial Heights was unexpectedly killed on his jobsite. Wally Dean was not only an ideal church member, but one of my dearest friends. His death was a stunning blow to our community and certainly to our congregation. The tragic pain caused by his absence is a deep emotional injury from which our church still has not fully healed. Words simply cannot express how much we (I) miss him.

If you will permit me one more personal pronouncement; my mother’s battle with cancer continues to take a serious toll on her health. Having spoken with my father at length this week, he informed me this last round of chemotherapy has had a significant impact on my mother. It weakened her so much, she was hospitalized for five days. Though home now, she has grown so weak, so frail. To frustrate matters more fully, they live seven hours from Perry, which makes it incredibly difficult to visit as often as we’d like. I am not sure how much more time she has here on this earth, or if I will even get to visit with them this holiday season.

I know I am not alone in saying, this year has been a challenging one indeed. Nonetheless, I can say … through it all, God has been faithful. My daughter is fine. Thankfully, she bounced back quickly from her symptoms and has resumed her normal teenage schedule of rolling her eyes and staying in her room for endless hours. Despite the fact my wife has been exposed to the coronavirus any number of times in her grueling night shifts at the hospital, and even in our own home, she still hasn’t become sick. God is so good.

While not fully agreeing on every decision made, or every schedule change, still the members of Memorial Heights have grown in love for one another and grown closer during the difficulties this year has brought. Our church has been put through a crucible. Yet all the while, we have had the privilege of being an eye-witness to God’s amazing empowering grace, as Wally’s widow (and other family) have refused to give up on God or walk away from the faith. This year has been hard on churches and it’s leadership, but God has also used the trials and tribulations we have faced to teach us how desperately we need Him and rely on His wisdom and direction. We have so much to be thankful for.

I’d be lying if I said anything other than – I hate cancer. Yet, God has used this disease to remind my family what faith is really all about. Faith is not manifested when life is all sunshine and butterflies. No, it is when tragedy strikes that faith is put to the test. It is when God’s children, including my mother, can joyfully sing “It is well with my soul” and “I’m a winner either way” while poison is being pumped through their body in an effort to kill cancer cells – that real faith is clearly seen. While this year has been a difficult one to say the least, still there are many reasons to be thankful. I am immeasurably grateful, that my mother has a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Even if cancer kills her body, it cannot touch her soul. She is safe in the arms of Jesus. What about you?

Like pretty much everything else in 2020, the election didn’t turn out the way I thought it should. However, God is still on the throne and His plans have not been usurped. Last by not least, by God’s good grace I am still saved, and heaven is my home. I have a lot to be thankful for. What about you?

This coming Thursday is Thanksgiving … Two things are required to be truly thankful. One, Someone to give thanks to. Secondly, something to give thanks for. Do you have both?

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