2020 photo dump.

I don’t know about anyone else, but this year has not been an overwhelmingly, “I chose joy 24/7” type of year.

Absolutely not.
As a matter of fact, I cannot think of another year in my adult life where I talked less, and internalized more. It’s just that I didn’t always have words, and most words I had had to do with anger.

I didn’t think being home in quarantine would be so bad, but I soon realized that I was wrong about that. Racism/discrimination [and the justification of it] in the world and Church were sickening this year. & I’m still trying to recover from how much we got cussed out/yelled at in the thick of COVID at work.

This year has taught me a LOT. Like, a lot, but one thing it’s definitely taught me is the importance of slowing down in moments where it’s hard and learning to invite the Holy Spirit in.

We don’t know what 2021 holds, but if it’s one thing I’ve learned in 2020, it’s this: it may not be the loud, overwhelmingly happy moments that pull you out of pits. Sometimes, when it feels like morning hasn’t come yet, it’s the small moments of God winks and gratitude.

Like Chick-fil-A reminding us to keep going.

Or finally finding a park that was open, even if I could only sit in my car with the windows down.

It’s finding notes left for you on the hard days at work.

Or the Zoom calls that helped us to connect when we really just wanted to physically hug our friends and family.

It’s the friends that are family.

It’s the funny memes and TikToks that helped to lift our spirits on the bad days.

Or me FINALLY watching all of the Marvel movies.

It’s making all of the recipes.

And celebrating all of the birthdays and weddings and anniversaries and promotions and moves that went on despite a pandemic.

It’s the things not pictured like people taking time to love you through your junk (even when your junk was reeeeeeeally ugly). The people who loved you deeply.

It’s the phone calls that were supposed to be quick catch-ups, that turn into hours of laughter.

It’s all of the surprises.
All of the lows that people came alongside you to make highs (like @shelbywhitten staying with me through another blood transfusion).

It’s all of the small moments that make me remember that while this year was borderline absolute hell and we probs all need counseling 😂, I am still very grateful.

How has God shown up for you guys in the small moments this year?