When 2020 began, I was packing up boxes and moving in with my sister. I was standing in the midst of liminal space, wondering what was to come next.(http://prayingontheprairie.net/giving-birth-to-transformation/) I had placed all my trust in God. And before I knew it, new beginnings were happening. I began a new call around the first of March.
Little did I know that the beginning would slowly be put to a halt as the pandemic really took off in the US. I attended church the first two weeks in my new community. The third week I traveled with Pr Sherri to two other communities. That week was the beginning of the end as worship moved to online after that week.
The first weeks and months were difficult as I made new friends and met new parishioners through Zoom. Pr Sherri’s departure to Oslo, Norway was delayed for several months. Yet there was gift in those moments too. I learned so much from my colleague. I found new ways to be creative like making Tik Tok videos.
This was not the year any of us expected, but as I look back over this year and my one word, I can truly say I was transformed. 2018 was full of so much loss and grief. But that year prepared me in so many ways for this year that was to be. God healed my pain and helped me to become whole; not without the cracks and repairs though. Our cracks remind us of where we came from and where we are going!
I was reminded of how much joy the kitchen brings me. There is something holy about creating with my hands. I love when I’m able to share that with others. Tonight, I made a NYE beautiful spread for my sister and I. I even sent cookies to dear friends.
Tik Tok brought me joy, but most of all it introduced me to some of the most amazing friends. I am so incredibly thankful for each friend I’ve made there. They remind me of how loved, unique, and special I am. In a lot of ways, their friendship has made me find my beauty and worth again.
2020 has been a year of so much loss and grief and it is a year that we won’t soon forget. Masks, racial injustice, a highly contested presidential election are only a few of the things we will remember. This year had taught us a lot and reminded us what’s important. It’s been a year of transformation but transformation in the ways we didn’t expect.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”-Romans 12:2