Is the answer to the question we have all been looking for as we approach the end of this year and embark on a New Year. We are all hoping all the mishap surrounding the world will disappear into thin air once it figures out we are no longer in 2020. At least that is my thinking, since I have this belief that Covid is a 2020 thing, it will unlikely survive in the New Year. There is a lot to be hopeful for, is all we can hold onto as we gaze at the year ahead of us. Whenever, there’s change there’s hope. Change in other words signifies hope. I am an optimist, because I am hopeful and confident about the future. Or the way God intended, which is not always our heart’s desire but God’s desire for our life. I am hopeful for what tomorrow brings, come what may, believing that whatever comes my way I am equal to the task. Regardless of what surrounds us today, hope is all we can hold onto, because without hope we are walking corpses. We can’t face our tomorrow if we do not carry the strength of our desire – whatever you desire, that is your hope. In a biblical standpoint, hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is His faithfulness. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15: 13.

We have all been hit in one way or another, either with the loss of a job, an illness, death of a family member, financial hardship, divorce, lack of physical presence…the list goes on. One thing we all have in common is that we are looking forward to something different, something better than the year has been, to a new hope, a new beginning & a new possibility. Hoping that things will get better, hoping that healing will come, hoping that we will enjoy each other’s company again without being afraid of the unknown, hoping that we will once again do the things we love – travel without guilt, work without limits, school without restrictions, shop without barrier, and worship God without boundaries. The year 2020 will go down in the history books for many reasons, however, what I have chosen to hold onto is the unwavering strength and support of my friends, family, colleagues, and the world at large. We fought this fight together and  we are still going strong, don’ forget to mask up – it sure save lives. If there is one thing we can take away from 2020 and improve on, is equality. If we are as vigilant as we claim, we must have learned that we are equal that is why no one was immune to Covid – young/old, rich/poor, short/tall, black/white, caucasian/hispanic, fat/skinny, gay/straight, christian/atheist, muslim or hindu…..you get the picture. “For he Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility”. Ephesians 2:14.

Each year, myself and many others out there make a New Year resolution, whatever that list entails is based on our wants, goals, needs, desires etc. I will challenge you to try going through your 2020 resolution, but  try not to compare apples and oranges rather appreciate the little strides you made, keep in mind that we can only take it one day at a time without feeling guilty of the unaccomplished. I summed up the courage to go through mine, and what I realized is that as much as we all had a hard time accepting 2020 as a real year, it wasn’t all that bad for me… Although I attain my financial goals, I didn’t get to travel on our already paid vacation, couldn’t advance on my career enhancement, couldn’t celebrate my birthday the way I intended neither could I have the gathering I wanted. I try not to focus on the should have, would have and could have rather the positives of what was, and not what would have been, I have had worse years, and 2020 wasn’t one of them despite the unprecedented times that surrounded us all. “A clear vision backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power.” by Brian Tracy. Go ahead and make those plans and see how swiftly you attain them.

Above all, sharing my worries, concerns, problems, hardship, difficulties and fears with others, came in handy for me, because it gives me an opportunity to tell my unique story that can only be foretold by my own experiences. In return, the feeling of an island gradually eradicates as I stretch forth a hand, this enable more hands to be extended back in return – a problem shared is a problem half solved.  1Timothy 2: 15 says “ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Mathew West, one of my gospel prodigy singers, sang a song “Truth be Told” please click on the link below and listen to his powerful words of praise and remember to always make it a habit to stay true to yourself in spite of the negative outcomes that surround us or the pressure to fake it till we make it. Our worst enemy is the lies we tell ourselves and the people around us, acting like we have it all together, tough as nails, whereas we are silently dying inside. Which is worse, letting others know you need help or dying in silence? The people that truly love you will careless about your flaws, but would praise you for bravery and being courageous enough to pour out your heart. Truth wins! It liberates you, gives peace of mind, you are confident and comfortable in your own skin and above all you don’t need others to tell you what God has already told you about your DNA. “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me even then I will be confident.” Psalm 27:3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4wYkS8Z3Io

As you celebrate this Christmas isolation style, whatever that means to you, please remember that there are others that need your support, and cannot have a meal without your help. The good news is, Covid has made it easier to give these days right at the comfort of your own home. You can check on websites like the Food Bank, United Way, Kids Kottage and many more to inquire about their needs. You build a blessing bag or box with the needed items and drop off or request pick-up right at the comfort of your home. This is amazing because it gives our kids the pleasure to partake in packaging those boxes at the same-time gives them a sense of what true giving entails – we give out of the little God has entrusted in our care. Used clothing and other used items are also a beautiful way to show God’s love, if you don’t ask, you won’t know if what you consider your trash can be someone else’s treasure. Giving signifies you offering a hand or a word to enrich someone else’s life and you will be richly rewarded. “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure , pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 5:38

I am grateful for the friendships I have surrounded myself with all around the world, and I am thankful that we have made it a habit to make honesty our cornerstone irrespective of the falsehood that surrounds us. May this Christmas be a brand new start into something new in your life, may the Love of Jesus fill you,  may His suffering be a reason we hope. All in all, may the New Year bring you and yours an unfailing love, joy, love, endurance, peace, comfort, righteousness, happiness, prosperity and eternal life. I leave you with this hymn “Happiness is to know the Savior, Happiness is a new creation, Happiness is to be forgiven, Happiness is the Lord.” If you are still in search of Happiness, I pray you find it, but start by looking at the Maker for the things that will enrich your life as well as your soul. Happiness is attainable, but you have to be willing to draw near to Him before He can draw near to YOU – make God your Cornerstone. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6. From my family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christ-mas and the best in the upcoming year 2021. We are weak, He is strong, we are faithless He is faithful, we are out of control, He is in control. Make Him a priority today and Always!