A bit of goodness, beauty, and truth

 A friend sent me a hilarious text yesterday with the meme "I'd like to cancel my subscription to 2021. I've experienced the free 7-day trial and I'm not interested."  Yep, that about says it all, doesn't it?! Surely none of us assumed 2020 would pass and the dawn of a new year would bring all happiness and light, but good night, the start to this new year has been (to put it charitably) a doozie. And. yes, a do--over would be nice. 

But since that isn't happening, can I just add a bit of goodness, beauty, and truth to the conversation? Yes, I know there's more than plenty to bemoan, to worry about, and to lament. And we all do. But can I remind us all that there's also so much for which to be thankful.  So much to savor and enjoy. So much to simply appreciate with wonder and joy. 

Can I share a few things that have not changed one iota with all the craziness swirling around us?  The sun rose yet again for the dawn of another brand new day this morning. Thank You Lord for a new dawn that a promises us that no matter how tough yesterday was, no matter how badly we botched it, we get to begin again. You have given us a fresh new start.  

And with those first rays of God's glorious sun breaking through the darkness, we're reminded of the Truth: "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.'" (Lam.3:21-24). 

Those words, by the way, were not penned in the midst of a happy, prosperous time in Israel's history. No, just the opposite. They were written by the prophet Jeremiah after his nation had been decimated by her enemies. Their beloved capital of Jerusalem had fallen and been completely destroyed by the Babylonians, and the vanquished Israelites thrown into exile.  In the midst of such bleakness, Jeremiah calls to mind, he remembers, who his God is and what He has done. He recalls the good and beautiful Truth that God's love, faithfulness and mercy will never ever cease. Despite how their circumstances looked or felt, Almighty God had not abandoned His people.  He was still on His throne.  He would still somehow someway use even this all for ultimate good and His glory...and so Jeremiah--and we--choose to hope in Him.  

How about some more examples of goodness, beauty and truth?  The flash of brilliant red of the cardinal at our bird feeder. The hawk soaring overhead and shrilly crying out praises to its Maker.  The sound of our children's voices on the phone. FaceTime with our granddaughter (joy!). Laughter with friends...and the priceless gift of friends. My brothers and sisters--undeserved gifts in my life. Fat snowflakes floating down to the earth (but not sticking--thank goodness!) Hot tea. Chocolate (duh).

A few more: Reading God's Word in the predawn darkness and knowing that the Lord of the universe is right there with me, speaking, listening, loving, equipping, forgiving. Books--veritable treasure troves of goodness, beauty, and truth. Reading about and being inspired by the faithful life of Elisabeth Elliot...reminding us that God will enable us to be faithful all the way to the finish line. The dear women in our Bible study and the joy of getting to study God's Word together in community. Dinner with friends or family. Trees sparkling with lights even in the "bleak mid-winter." Music and singing. Grace. Truly amazing grace.

Yes, 2021, you might not yet be all you were cracked up to be, but you're still stuffed and overflowing with God's goodness, beauty, and truth! Because His steadfast love never ceases, His mercies never come to an end and are new every single morning, and great--infinitely and eternally great--is His faithfulness. 

So how about we place our hope in the One who will never fail us or forsake us?  Yeah sure, that absolutely does not mean we won't be trudging through plenty more hard, sorrowful, perplexing stuff. But it does mean the Lord God Almighty is with us and for us all the way. In our trudging and in our dancing. In our crying and in our laughing. And He will get us through to the other side. Not somehow but triumphantly. Because I've read the end of the story...and it's good, indescribably good, beautiful, and true. 

To God be the glory.