I remember the 1st of January 2021 clearly. If it had not been for the pandemic, my hubby and I would have been at a cross over services. (I really miss attending those in person BTW). We waited for the clock to strike midnight. We prayed to usher in the new year and we called our family members and wished them a great 2021.
I was pumped up as the year began. I had my goals clearly written. My vision book was updated and I was ready to go. A few weeks into the new year, my father was diagnosed with cancer. We were all hopeful and believed God for his healing. On the 4th of March, he was promoted to glory at 87 years 2 months and 11 days. You can read the details on the post I wrote here. I guess the biggest issue was that when I have challenges, I lean on my family, except this time we were all grieving. Somehow we managed to be there for each other. I also thank God for friends who stood with us and continue to.
Events such as birthdays and important holidays like Easter and Christmas are just not the same in the absence of loved ones. My birthday in June was especially difficult. I had a ritual with my father since 2016 when we left Zimbabwe. We had a way of celebrating together from different parts of the world. I always looked forward to the missed call from my father. It was a signal for me to call back. We would talk for a long time about different things from my work, his grandchildren, politics, sport and anything else that was topical. Oh how I miss those calls.
Usually on a day like today, the 31st of December, I would be looking at my journal, ticking off the goals completed and reviewing and reflecting on the year. Today I am not ticking off any goals from my journal or setting anything. It’s because 2021 taught me some lessons that I would like to share.
Lesson 1. Life is like a cake. 2021 reminded me of this lesson that my pastor shared on our wedding 14 years ago. BTW, today is our wedding anniversary, but let me not digress. A cake is made up of flour, sugar salt, eggs, milk and if you are making my favourite, chocolate. These ingredients if taken individually can really be gross! Just imagine having dry flour on its own, or just salt on it’s own or the raw eggs. My son would say “mummy that is revolting”. Even ingredients such as sugar and chocolate should not be consumed in excess. The beauty of cake is in the mixing of the individual ingredients in the right quantities. The result is something truly delicious. Life is like that. Good things only make us pompous. Bad things only make us bitter. A mix of both good and not so good is what makes life truly beautiful. In 2021 I cried, like a lot, but I also laughed, like a lot, and smiled too.
2. God heals. I am certain of this. Sometimes this healing might mean the disease is removed and your loved one recovers. Other times the healing might mean your loved one is called home and isn’t in pain anymore. Either way, there is healing.
3. Any day is a good day to start. Whatever you want to accomplish, any day is a good year to start. You don’t have to wait for the new year, your birthday or some other day. Start as soon as you decide. The reason I am not writing my goals today is because I did that already in October. I had no reason to wait. As I think of a new goal I will add it to my list. That’s something 2021 taught me.
As we get into 2022, please remember this post. You might experience both good and not so good events. Like cake, a combination of these is what truly makes life beautiful.
3 John 2 is my prayer for you in 2022 “Beloved I wish above all things that you may prosper (in 2022) and be in health, even as your soul prospers”
Mum In Stilettos 