Well, the year is almost done.
Thank You, Lord, for carrying us through, amen.
I've spent a bit of time scrolling through 2020's posts. I took special note of the ones that had the most comments, which were not necessarily the ones with the most hits.
You bloggers know exactly what I'm talking about.
Then I scanned to see which of those conversations ended up being relevant to where we find ourselves right now, that somehow struck a chord that continues to resonate on. And Nesting-in-Place, written last March as the reality of covid was hitting us, won, hands down.
Nope, it's certainly not the most important thing I penned in 2020 nor the most profound. But this simple piece resonated with many of us who were desperately trying to find our footing, whether homebound or out and about.
And nine months later it's hard to believe that we're still in the throes of this wretched pandemic which has turned our lives inside out in countless ways we never thought possible.
We will never be the same.
God knows.
So, this is My Post of the Year.
With all the talk about sheltering-in-place, self-isolation, quarantine, and social distancing, I'd like to coin a new phrase.
One a bit more winsome, comforting, and calming.
Nesting-in-place.
With each passing day, more of us find ourselves, by law or mandate, having to stay in our homes except for a quick run to the supermarket, drug store, or taking care of a severe medical need.
And no, home is not necessarily a place of rest and repose these days, with the kiddos home from school, an unforeseen lack of routines, and all the crazy unknowns this new lifestyle entails. And I'm hearing that with more of us working from home, already challenging jobs have quickly morphed into seemingly endless, stressful 24/7 workloads ...
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I'd be fascinated to hear what you penned this year that captures your reality ... feel free to leave a link ~
Linda
P.S. #1 Our first Book Club gathering starts on January 10th! Grab your copy of Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life ... and catch all the details right here!
P.S. #2 Don't miss a thing! Subscribe right there.
P.S. #3 My Favorite Books of 2020
P.S. #4 Did you read my Christmas post An Unimaginable Holy Saga?
Hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteNo, we'll never be the same,
but we never were,
for static is a deadly shame
and something of a bore.
There will be wars and turmoil,
hurricanes and all the rest,
but as soup must come to boil
all this is for the best
for its forced refinement
of that which we would fain protect,
because tender confinement
will never in the end respect
the call of Christian history,
and that which God would have us be.
'No, we'll never be the same,
Deletebut we never were,
for static is a deadly shame
and something of a bore.'
A good wake up call for all of us who get stuck in 'the good old days' and our tiresome comfort zones ...
Thanks for the oft' needed nudge forward, man.
Barb gave me something of a nudge yesterday.
Delete"They'll probably hold the local Highland Games this year. You should compete. You're surely big enough that the caber will be child's play. Cancer, schmanzer, as long as you can still bench-press a Buick you'll be fine."
That Barb is one terrific motivator!
Delete;-)
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! God is so good, in spite of all. May He bless you with a beautiful new year filled with His abundant grace and goodness, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI pray the same for you, Cheryl. I hope you are well and sensing the Lord's presence in new and fresh ways.
DeleteBless you and the guys, friend!
Yes, that was one of my favorite posts, too, Linda. Here we are, still nesting, but at least the potential for getting the vaccine soon is in the offing. What hope that gives me!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a marvelous Christmas, my friend!
Let's see what God has for us in the months ahead ... trusting with you that He will redeem all we have gone through and give us patience, grace, and kindness for the journey forward.
DeleteBlessings, friend ...
It's so interesting and enlightening to look back, isn't it? Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping in, Lauren. I hope Christmas was a sweet, quiet respite for you and yours ...
DeleteI keep thinking about the song that the words go like this...
ReplyDeleteGrander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard
And through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
And through it all, through it all
It is well
And through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
And it is well with me
And far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can't see
And this mountain that's in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea
And through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
And through it all, through it all
It is well
And through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
And it is well
It is well
So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name
So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name
So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name
Hugs and blessings dear Linda. Cindy
Cindy, this was such a huge encouragement today! The tune came back to me and I sang it quietly to myself ... and to Him.
DeleteOther readers will be blessed, too, as they see this. Thank you so much for honoring Christ ...
You offer much comfort from your nest all the way to our own. Blessings to you and your family in the New Year. Wishing you health, happiness, and hope!
ReplyDeleteYes, maybe the loveliest gift we can extend to each other is God's comfort and joy. Hope, too.
DeleteHappy New Year to you and yours, Barbara!
Linda, I know I've told you this before, but EVERY post that comes from you is a respite and a gift, especially this year. But it's also no surprise that this post about nesting-in-place struck such a chord ... :-) Also, I received "The Resilient Life" from the library last week and oh. my. goodness. Talk about the right book at the right time. I'm so grateful for your recommendation. Many blessings to you and your loved ones in 2021, my friend.
ReplyDeleteLois, you've encouraged me today. Just knowing that something said is offering the gift of respite makes me so grateful to have a small part in this medium we call blogging.
DeleteI hope you're enjoying a wonderful holiday season with your lovely family. Your girls are such beauties! God is good ... and I'm anticipating how He'll make Himself known in the days ahead.
Bless you.
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your Nesting-in-Place post from March--the message is still significant today and for 2021.
The pandemic has taught me what really matters and to appreciate what I have. So this line totally resonates with me: 'To be grateful for every good thing."
Thank you for your visits and comments. I also enjoyed getting to know you through Sandi's weekly parties.
Happy New Year!
Margie, hi! Some days gratitude comes easy, some days it's a little harder to unearth.
DeleteBut it's always there even if we have to search a bit longer. God is good!
I remember reading that post. Who could have possibly thought that we would still be in this place almost a year later?
ReplyDeleteI know, I know!
DeleteYou asked what we penned this year to capture this historic unprecedented event.
ReplyDeleteHere's my link: http://timeforreflections.blogspot.com/2020/12/now-look-here-folks.html
Wishing you joy and hope at this blessed time celebrating the birth of our Lord.
God bless.
READERS! Do head over to Victor's place ...
Delete'We may not have any solutions but at least we will be able to pray together in the sure knowledge that He is amongst us and listening as He has promised to do.'
Good stuff from the UK!
I love your “nesting in place”, Linda! I don’t think that any of us thought that we’d still be dealing with coronavirus. I have found that I can’t live in fear and that I must have joy in this life that God has given me. It’s been nice getting to know you through our dear Sandi’s party. Happy 2021 to you!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Kitty ... fear is a killer. And I'm guessing that most of us have had to repeatedly walk through it this year and learn to release its hold on us more and more.
DeleteIdentifying ourselves with joy each hour blesses us with peace. I'm so grateful!
And I'm grateful, too, to be connecting with you in recent days.
New Year's blessings to you!
It's always interesting to look back and see which posts have had the most views and started good conversations. I know I have been blessed by several of your posts in this crazy year. This is always a place of peace and encouragement. I think one of the posts that most reflects this year for me is this one, which is also one of my most-viewed posts: https://lifeinthespaciousplace.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/when-ministry-is-interrupted/
ReplyDeleteI remember your ministry post very well, Lesley. It hit home ... you really shared your heart. I'm heading over to read it yet again right now!
DeleteI hope you're staying healthy in the midst of the new wave of covid in the UK. God brings you to mind and I'm praying for you. May the coming year bring us joy and peace even in the midst of all the changes yet to come.
READERS - if the ministry God has called you to has been up-ended by the pandemic, be sure to read Lesley's post. Her questions will resonate ... and you'll know you're not alone.
Which is one of the kindest gifts we can offer each other these days.
Thanks for re-posting, Linda! I'm headed over to read your Christmas post now (I'm behind again, lol) Wishing you all JOY in 2021!
ReplyDeleteYou're never behind around here ... the WELCOME mat is always out!
DeleteHappy New Year to you, dear June.
Yes, that post resonated, Linda. But truly I find that all your posts, whether simple or profound, make me feel less alone and more understood. Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteOh honey, if we can all continue to give each other that gift of presence and validation and kindness, all will be well. We will make it through.
DeleteA new year's blessing of hope and peace ... that's what I'm praying for you right now.
Like you, Linda, I could not have imagined back in March that 10 months later, we would still be dealing with the pandemic. I thought it would be 2 or 3 weeks, then life would return to normal.
ReplyDeleteLooking back over your posts for the year is a good exercise. You have inspired me to do the same. I want to see what resonates with readers. Of course, everything that you write is so good. I look forward to reading all of your posts.
I am also looking forward to the book club. I have the book. It is sitting on my dresser. Now I just have to read it! :)
You're kind, Laurie. I'm glad you find something of some kind of value here. I am amazed at the variety of your posts ... and so many of them have motivated me to get off the sofa and care better for my body.
DeleteAnd for that I THANK you!
Yep, my copy of Don't Overthink It is sitting right here on my desk. I guess since the Book Club starts on the 10th, I better get moving, huh?!
Happy New Year to a friend that continues to enlarge my borders. I'm so appreciative!
I do remember that one! Mine was Things That Will Still Be True After the Election. I shared it on my end-of-December and 2020 post today.
ReplyDeleteI remember that post well in the midst of such unrelenting political vitriol, Barbara ... such an apt reminder of who reigns on the throne forever.
DeleteAnd He SHALL reign forever and ever!
READERS - If you're still reeling from all things political, please do read Barbara's post -
https://barbaraleeharper.com/2020/11/01/things-that-will-still-be-true-after-election-day/
"Nesting-in-place" - I like that phrase :) Even though we still have to nest-in-place, I'm thankful to God for keeping us. Hope you had a good Christmas and Happy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Wemi. Whether flying high or laying low, He keeps us in the palm of His hand. What peace!
DeleteHappy New Year to you and yours ... I look forward to connecting with you in 2021. Bless you.
;-}