In coming years, and even decades, people will still be trying to figure out what went wrong in 2020. Presently, most people agree it was a year we will never forget!  Therefore, it seems to me our focus should be on the solution and not the problem. At the end of this blog, I will develop that thought more fully. In the meantime, let’s focus on the first three months of last year.

Prelude to Disaster

Several of my journal entries from January and February reveal I was expecting things to continue in a somewhat predictable manner: 

• Linda seemed to be aware of our special relationship, was able to verbally express her love for me, and from time to time squeezed my hand or patted my arm.

•  While reading the book of Genesis, I have painfully become aware the Patriarchs all had to bury their wives and go on with life.

• I held Linda’s baby doll so that she could play Bat the Balloon with the group. When, I accidentally let the doll’s head drop too low, she quickly brought it to my attention.

• As I prepared to leave and told Linda I loved her; she looked at me and said, “I want to go to heaven.”

At this point, I had no reason to believe that my world was about to drastically change.

A Seismic Shift

Throughout March, I found myself fighting unexpected battles:

• As a result of inhaling dust while repairs to the ceiling in my townhouse were being made, I had developed severe congestion.  This caused my medications to get caught in my throat and cut off my air supply. The next few minutes were a nightmare as I fought to breathe. I considered calling 911 and seriously wondered if I might die. Lingering effects lasted for several days.

• During Linda’s long journey with dementia, she remained physically healthy. That changed when her left foot inexplicably started swelling. After extensive lab work, X-rays and an echocardiogram, it was determined that she is developing mild heart failure.

• Due to the increase in Covid-19 cases in Bradley County and out of an abundance of caution, Legacy Village instituted a total lockdown. 

• By the end of the month forty- two states, including Tennessee, had put stay- at -home orders in place. Living alone and not being able to see Linda, this move exacerbated my feelings of aloneness.

Knowing that it was close to impossible to keep Linda off her swollen foot and worrying that all the extra things that I did for her each day might fall between the cracks, I felt overwhelmed. Thankfully, the nurses and caregivers listened to my concerns, responded compassionately and assured me that all her needs would be met.

Lasting Hope

The events which gave rise to Gloria Gaither writing Because He Lives are informative and revealing. In many ways, apart from a worldwide pandemic, the turmoil of the 1960’s parallels our present situation. She sums it up well:

“The drug culture was in full swing, existential thought had obviously saturated every area of our American thought, the cities were seething with racial tension, and the God-is-dead pronouncement had giggled its way all through our educational system…  It was on New Year’s Eve that I sat alone in the darkness and quiet of our living room, thinking about the world and our country… I can’t quite explain what happened at that moment, but suddenly I felt released from it all. The panic that had begun to build inside was gently dispelled by a reassuring presence that engulfed my life and drew my attention.”

Over five decades later, the timeless classic that grew out of that moment is still a source of encouragement:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives! 

 Three days into 2021, only the foolhardy would think, apart from God, our problems can be solved. We are still in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, face racial unrest, have deep divisions in government and reason to expect future upheavals in nature; however, we are not without guidance. Jesus provided specific instructions for our present and future existence:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16: 33 NLT).

“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14: 2-3 NLT).