Pass in Review

I guess 10 years in the Air Force makes that phrase meaningful to me. "Pass in review." So here at the end of 2020, perhaps I'll let it "pass in review."

I think we're all in agreement that 2020 has been some year. Of course, for almost all of us, the things that stand out are "pandemic" and "racial injustice" and "contentious politics" and "end of the world climate change" kinds of things. They were long and loud this year. We're still not clear what has done more damage -- the virus or the response? We're still grappling with "Do we need to be nicer to all races or should the white race just be eliminated?" (That sounds like hyperbole, I know, but there are voices out there calling for just that.) We're in a world that has changed radically in just 12 months, from stripping out sports to masking the world to rising Socialism as a norm rather than an outlier. I mean, how do we return to "normal" after 10 months without new movies in theaters? What does "normal" even look like anymore?

In 2020 I worked from home far more than I've ever done before. In June I had abdominal surgery that removed 20" of colon, making me, I guess, a semi-colon. In 2020 more people I know went without work for more time than I thought possible and actually survived better than I expected. My grandchildren endured very limited education this year. (I'm sorry, but virtual classes and online teaching are not substitutes for school or in-person teaching.) I know of at least one child that entered the world in March who does not know outside of her own house what people look like without masks.

This crisis year has had some positive effects. It has served to boil things down in some aspects. It turns out that we are social beings and we don't like being isolated from each other. We do need what seemed to be innocuous touches to feel connected -- a handshake, a brief hug, even a smile (impossible through a mask). It turns out that isolation is bad for us. We just weren't always aware of it. We are now. We have learned that there are a lot of people angry about their treatment that not all knew about. We've also learned that some are so angry that rational thought isn't possible although they believe theirs is rational. It turns out that sin rots the brain. Boys can be girls and girls can be boys and if you think otherwise you could very well be in legal trouble, you hater, you. The wrong use of "he" can get you sued for harassment, for instance. We thought "Work hard and earn your way" was good and now we've figured out it should be "You work hard and pay our way." All in 2020.

There is a lot more to 2020. The politics, the riots, the hate, the warfare. Very little in terms of "pop culture" because, after all, that is nonessential. Like your religion. But, hey, 2021 is looking bright. We have a new Democrat for president and his Socialist sidekick for VP and that should bode well for us, right? Expect big changes in 2021. Although, if you think about it, how big can they be in comparison to 2020?

Some are saying this has been "the worst year ever." I'd suggest this is very short-sighted. Try the 1940's with a world at war or the Dark Ages or ... lots of "worst year ever" options. I think it has been a good year. It has allowed me to exercise faith by giving thanks in everything. It has reminded me to not worry about anything but take it all to the Lord in prayer. There's nothing like crisis to get pushed into the arms of Jesus. I'm glad I'm not counting on this world to make things right. I have a better God than that. He never changes and He always does what He pleases and I can count on Him.