Three years ago today, I wrote this blog.
Tonight I read it and think about living normally in 2021. So many things don’t feel normal amid COVID 19 continuing to impact younger people’s lives. My friend, a nurse, told me that two of her patients died last night from COVID —one 29 and one 37. Nothing normal about that.
Tonight I heard the news report of a 13-year-old black teenager shot by police. There is nothing normal about that.
We are awaiting the outcome of the trial surrounding the death of George Floyd. I can tell you that nothing feels normal about that.
I got this alert on my phone today regarding an accident one block from my house. Massive crash on Plymouth and burton; the guy was going at least 100, hit a tree, electric box, and then hit another car before two tires came off. The guy was taken to the hospital and was still unconscious. A lady was taken to the hospital as well. Nothing normal about that.
And as I listen to the police radio, I am pretty familiar with gunfire reports within a few miles of my house. Gang violence is real, and I pray for safety and healing every night as I wrap up my day. Violence so close to home is new to me, and nothing feels normal about that.
And yet, I borrow the words from 3 years ago, words I wrote when my foundation was shaken to the core at the diagnosis of my Dad’s cancer.
… living normally doesn’t mean denying what is real, nor does it mean becoming solely focused on our circumstances….
And so, in 2021, amidst all that doesn’t feel normal, it is essential that we name it and share honestly about the chaos that is real. It is equally important that we look beyond the confusion and pain, the despair and the violence, and speak what we know to be true. Do not shy away from engaging the broken world with truth, grace, and hope. We need one another; we need change; we need voices, compassion, prayer, and hope. Speak against racism and violence, advocate for prevention, engage in restorative justice and healing for troubled souls, and cling to hope. Please, never lose your grace or hope, for that is what keeps us moving through 2021!
Clinging to hope,
Blessed be His name!