Welcome, 2022

Life must be hard! Every year at this time, I hear myriad people giving thanks that last year is over and that we get a "new start." And I am one of them. Last year was hard in many ways. We started the year still being bombarded by the fallout from a pandemic that had begun a year earlier. Millions were unemployed, thousands were suffering from the Covid virus. There was political upheaval as a new president attempted to undo on his first day in office everything that his predecessor had done in the previous four years. Half way through the year, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). And the remainder of the year, for me, involved fighting for my life against an enemy I can't even see.

Five rounds of chemotherapy later, I am here. I am recovering. I am feeling better, although I am currently back in quarantine as my immune system is once again flagging. The oncology team assures me that this current set back is all part of the game, but it is getting harder and harder to put aside the things I used to do that are now off-limits for me, because of the risk of possibly fatal infection. Breaking bread together with dear friends, visiting family, pursuing my ministry; these are all things I miss more each day. 

Still, I am better off than many (perhaps, most) people. Jill and I have the wherewithal to maintain a comfortable home in which we are both recovering from the assault the AML represents to our lifestyle and emotional security. Many are out of work, either because they have been ill, or their job has disappeared, or they have been the victims of political shenanigans, the excuse for which is always Covid19. Some have suffered emotional and psychological trauma as the result of being quarantined. Jill and I have felt a bit of that, but we are fortunate to be besties, which means, if we gotta be cooped up, we have each other to lean on. 

Above all, last year taught us how dependent we are on God for all things. There is practically nothing of which we are in complete control. That fact has driven us to our knees, and in the end has been a blessing, because God made us for relationship with Him. And when you are at the end of your rope that you always imagined is infinitely long and have nowhere to turn, you realize you can only look up. Last year taught us that lesson in ways we have never understood before. It is a hard lesson, when you believe you are doing life well and "relying" on Him, and then the rug is pulled out from under you in the moment the ER doctor tells you, "It looks like some form of leukemia." 

So, welcome, 2022. I know you will be better; not because of all we went through last year, nor because this year will necessarily be less challenging, but because of the way in which God has drawn us closer to Himself; because of the way He has taught us to seek our comfort and security not in things of this world, but instead, as the old hymn reminds us, by "leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms. Leaning, leaning, leaning on the Everlasting Arms." 

The book of Proverbs reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5) A new year, a fresh start, these represent an opportunity to trust more in the Lord with all my heart and to lean on His Everlasting Arms. As I contemplate that opportunity, I remember God's promises, "In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world. I will never leave you nor forsake you...for behold, I am with you to the end of the age. I will work all things together for good for those who love Me and are called according to My purpose. Draw near to Me and  I will draw near to you." (John 16:33; Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:28; James 4:8)

There is much to look forward to in 2022, and it is all the more awesome, because of what happened in 2021. Twenty twenty two, I bid you welcome!