I started Christmas decorating today and as I was getting out my favourite Christmas mugs, I found two of them broken. Ironically enough, it was the mugs with Joy and Peace printed on them that did not make it. I thought this was a pretty accurate depiction of 2020 and all that has been happening this year. And yet, printed on the tray that holds these mugs is the verse "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace." Romans 15:13. I didn't think much of it at the time, but when lamenting about my broken mugs to a friend, he suggested that this would be a great topic for a blog post and I agree!
With all that 2020 has stolen from us, I think that joy and peace are two key things that a lot of people have struggled to maintain during this time. As I reflect back on my own year, there was a lot of joy and peace taken from me as I went through a pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period in this pandemic. While I have much to be thankful for this year, there was also alot of fear and sadness.
I really love this verse because it reminds me that while my physical circumstances and the world around me may be in disarray and full of chaos and pain, it is God that I need to find my peace and joy and ultimately, hope in. I think this is a good reminder to me as we go into this Christmas season with the potential of another lockdown looming over us. I know my and others' mental health suffered during lockdown and that it was often hard to remain peaceful and joyful in the midst of the fear of this pandemic and the unknown of the future.
While 2020 has tried to break my joy and peace, I can rest in the comfort that has God carried me through all that 2020 brought and will continue to carry me through all that 2021 will bring. So as I look at my broken mugs and the tray that holds them, I'm going to remember that my peace and joy cannot be broken by the circumstances around me no matter what happens. And I will cling to my God who promises to fill me with the real joy and peace that only He can give. This is not always easy and I'm not pretending it is, but it is this hope that sustains me through the trials that so often come day to day and year to year. I'm looking forward to this Christmas season and 2021 and praying that it holds more joy, peace and hope for our country and our world <3
