“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” wrote Charles Dickens at the opening of A Tale of Two Cities.
For many, 2020 was nothing but the “worst of times.” The unfolding catastrophe of COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with economies, separated families, killed more than 1.5 million, and sickened many more. People over 50 have suffered the most.
It seems that both Sarah and her husband Brandon contracted the virus in March. Both recovered, but Sarah’s voice has lost much of its former range. Otherwise, we’re thankful that neither we nor any of our other close relatives have had the illness so far.
That means, of course, that we have mostly stayed at home since March. Usually, these annual letters tell of travels to various domestic and foreign destinations, but this year we limited ourselves to a four-day getaway to a hotel overlooking a lake, a few visits to Sarah’s place, and several trips to Austin for routine medical appointments.
Happily, these and other checkups have encouraged us by showing that we are mostly in good health. New tests uncovered previously unknown conditions for me: sleep apnea and the Epstein-Barr virus (EPV), both of which have probably caused my chronic fatigue. A CPAP machine has been ordered for the former, and my doctor has prescribed anti-viral herbal supplements for the latter. Overall, we are very thankful for our health. My rheumatologist said that my health is “excellent.”
Having to stay home has taken us virtually overseas to Korea, through the “K-dramas” that our Chinese friends have so long recommended to us. “Crash Landing on You” entertained us, but “Chocolate,” and now “Heaven’s Garden” have not only plumbed the depths of human suffering but also challenged us through portrayals of characters with stunningly Christ-like sacrificial love.
For me, the main journey has been inward, as God has led me into a deeper understanding of his loving purposes for all that comes my way (see Romans 8:28).
Ellen Vaughn’s new biography of Elisabeth Elliot rekindled our admiration for this heroine of our early years as Christians. I’m now starting to read her classic, A Path Through Suffering, for the fifth time. From her own experiences of terrible loss, letters from thousands who have suffered, and profound meditation on the Scriptures, she weaves a rich tapestry of soul-fortifying truth with the Cross occupying the center.
From Dori:
This year has been pretty calm for me after the initial shock of trying to comprehend all the changes our world has gone through. Once Sarah and Brandon (mostly) recovered from the virus, our days rolled along fairly peacefully. Like all of you, my challenges relate to dealing with things out of my control, adapting to changes, coping with little social and church fellowship. I'm surprised in a way that the simplicity of my days has, for the most part, been satisfying. (It makes me wonder how I did what I did before!)
I did find myself distressed about all the negative polarization and turmoil going on in our country. I'm hoping to learn to grow toward more trust in our great God for the future. Each family gathering or time with a friend has become more and more sweet, for which I am so grateful. Christ's coming lights up our lives in the midst of all the darkness!
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:4-5).