Commentary

Wait for the dawn of a new day—
can we do that?

I am trying to think of this as just another New Year’s Eve

Sunrise in Balesin, Dec. 29, 2020 Photo by BR Rufino Lim

My Chair Rocks

It’s countdown time.  I feel a strange kind of excitement as the “stroke of midnight” draws near.  I detect an intense, if a bit cautious, anticipation of better things.

How was 2020 for you? There are those who would gladly throw it into the trashcan.  And not many would argue. After all, the year that is about to end has been a nightmare.  Worldwide. No one has been spared.

Covid19 is a deadly scourge that has altered life as we once lived it. It continues to stalk the earth.  And while it lurks even in the most unexpected places, it mutates, grows, spreads, and threatens to maintain its fatal mission.

And we want to say, “Enough already!” Is there a super hero?  In the movies, this is about the time the music goes on a wild crescendo and from out of nowhere, the man of steel, that invincible Defender and Rescuer of mankind makes his grand entrance.

In recent days we have seen the first glimmer of promise. And we pray.  Only God knows how or when this nightmare will end. Will a shout of joy, or at least a sigh of relief finally dispel the moans and groans of 2020?  Dare we hope?

I am trying to think of this as just another New Year’s Eve.  I have even entertained a few resolutions.

I see remnants of Christmas messing up my desk.  I need to clear that up.  I can’t start the New Year with piles of rubbish. But can I now get rid of the bottles of alcohol that are all lined up and ready to spray anyone or anything that crosses my front door?  We can’t let our guard down. Not until the vaccine, if it ever gets to us, becomes as available as Vicks Vaporub.

As a super senior, I am tired of being the high-risk inhabitant at home; a nuisance really, since everyone needs to stay away from me, or get swabbed before getting within my breathing space. To be honest, it weighs heavily on me.

But now it’s time to look ahead. The prospect of a new year always gives us that very much-needed kick in the rear that pushes us to make plans, to begin again, to repair what is broken or build anew.  It inspires us to gaze into the horizon and wait for the dawn of a new day. Can we do that?

I have given 2020 much thought. My heart tells me that even at its worst, all was not lost

WAS 2020 REALLY A THROWAWAY YEAR?

Many think so. But before you rush to sweep away the debris, I urge you to look again.

I have given 2020 much thought. My heart tells me that even at its worst, all was not lost; that there was a purpose and a reason for the year that was.

For starters, there was a gigantic reshuffle of our priorities. Didn’t you feel it?

We received a resounding reminder about what matters most.  We took the opportunity to take a good look inside ourselves.  And we dared dig deep.

A wise young woman calls it her year of miracles:  “We were given the time to pause; to catch our breath and stop all our rushing about. We suddenly took notice of our lives, and of every single thing in it. It gifted us with precious time to reflect, to pray and to make changes, all for the good. More important, it taught us to be grateful to God and one another, to do good and think good things.”

My favorite pastor says: “Above all else, I believe this difficult year made us realize the importance and value of family. We came face to face with fear and remembered God. We have never prayed more fervently.  We came to terms with our own mortality, at last understanding that truly, life is but a vapor.”

We learned that home is our safe place. Many of us experienced once again the joy of mealtime with all members of the family, present and accounted for.  Was that not a fabulous change from the “old normal”?   Like it or not and gadgets notwithstanding, there was conversation. We re-discovered the wonderful experience of doing things together, as family. We felt an unusual need to get close. And it felt good. We had forgotten.

Broken ties were restored. Observing social distance somehow made us ache to draw closer, emotionally and spiritually. The lack of physical contact made us yearn to reach out and touch, to embrace, and hold someone close to our hearts.  We shall never again take it for granted.

Remember those days when after the daily grind at work, we were too tired to listen to anyone else, sometimes even to our own children?  We now intentionally make time.  Everyone has a story to tell and we are eager to listen.

This time of mandatory confinement and restraint has taught us to be thankful, for everything.  It made us aware of the loss and lack suffered by so many around us.  And we were moved to give, to share and to mourn.

A SONG OF HOPE

I asked my granddaughter what her “take away” was from 2020.

Katrina is a teacher for children. She is the principal, and the very heart and soul of The Bridge School.

Her reply blessed me.  She made me listen to “Do It Again”, a beautiful Christian song by Elevation Worship.  She calls it her anthem for these uncertain times.

Let me share a few lines.

“Walking around these walls

I thought they now would fall.

But You have never failed me yet.

“Waiting for change to come,

Knowing the battle’s won.

For You have never failed me yet.

“Your promise still stands. Great is Your faithfulness.

I’m still in Your hands. This is my confidence,

You’ve never failed me yet.

“I’ve seen You move. You move the mountains.

And I believe I’ll see you do it again.

You made a way where there was no way.

And I believe I’ll see you do it again. “

Yes He will! Believe it! Take heart!

Happy New Year.

 

About author

Articles

She was once a journalist with Manila Chronicle, a book author. She is a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother whose wisdom and graceful writing style many readers continue to enjoy.

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