A Walk Through My Year 2021

It is the time of the year again, the crossing over of the soon-past year to a new one. The reflection mode in me is turned on, as if the year-end biological clock is ticking and compelling me for such annual ritual. So I shall waste no time but to grasp my writing inspiration and pen down my thoughts before closing the chapter of 2021.

Definitely the year 2021 is a challenging year for me. There are ups and downs, fruitfulness and barrenness, more languishing and slowing down, not much of driving force and high spirit motivation. Not that I am not productive in my work but I know deep inside, I am not at my tip top and full blast. All in all, it is a complicated year for me coupled with some loss and grief.

Nevertheless, I have more items to thank God for this year. Come with me for a walk through my year 2021. I believe you would agree with me that I have more blessings to count and give thank for.

January

A month of planning and filling up the calendar and gear on! Somewhere in the middle of January, Malaysia was declared the State the Emergency and MCO 2.0. My first-born child began her primary school era through online learning mode.

February

Too bad, this year we could not celebrate Chinese New Year with my families both near and far. But we had our reunion meals over online meeting. We were not meeting up with anyone during the festive days to keep everyone safe and healthy.

March

A month of learning and training.

Both my husband and I attended the PREPARE/ENRICH Certification Training and obtained the PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator qualification. We hope this training would better equip us to journey with our friends and families in their marriage and family life.

Two weeks later, my comrades and I were conducting an in-house training for our church Sunday School team members.

April

It was Easter month and my son's birthday month. I baked a dinosaur-themed cake for him, he was euphoric.

May

MCO 3.0+ was set in place. Working, learning, and living 24/7 at home. We ordered Cytron coding and electronic learning kit for our children. Learning must go on in season and out of season.

June

I was invited to give a talk to my church teens. With the Lord's prompting, I shared with them "Life Management 101".

July

It was the hardest month of the year. A pastor couple who were very close to our hearts, passed on due to COVID-19. The fear of contracting COVID-19 and death was so real. Both my husband and I talked about the worst case scenario and the possible coping mechanism. The feeling of languishing started crippling me.

August

Life must go on despite the languishing part in me. It was my first-born daughter's birthday month. I baked her a strawberry shortcake. Indeed, baking was therapeutic to my wearying soul at that time.

September

Nothing eventful but toiling away at work day to day and week to week. Both the global and local pandemic numerical data reflected a not-so-optimistic overlook for the near future.

One of the good disciplines that keeps me going is regular workout. I always feel a lot better after my evening workout. Workout is a great investment with many great returns without costing a bomb.

October

God in His divine mercy, has restored me to greater strength as I battled on my days ahead. I found much joy and inspirations in my commitment as a homemaker, a pastor's wife, a Sunday School teacher, and a volunteer (for a para-church organization).

November

I turned 40. The Lord has impressed upon my heart this verse:

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain."

~ 1 Corinthians 15:10

I can't thank God enough for His bountiful grace upon my life. For what He has led me through in the past 40 years, I am made stronger, courageous and wiser.

I had a wonderful roundup with my church EMMCF youth in our final gathering for this year. It is my honour to journey with these young and vibrant ladies and gentlemen. Being with them makes me feel 20 years younger. I look forward to another accomplished year of serving together with them.

December

A month of rest and recharge.

We had a simple yet heart-warming Appreciation Night with my church Sunday School team. My Sunday School Superintendent and I took up the challenge of preparing and delivering Christmas gifts to our teachers and helpers. The Appreciation Night turned out to be fun, encouraging, and prayerful for everyone. Well, in any church ministry, everyone needs some encouragement and prayer support.

I was happy to be able to return for church onsite worship service after 91 Sundays! So did my kids, they promised me with all their hearts that they would be cooperative to comply to all the SOP required. And I am delighted to see that they did!

I get to read 20 books of 18 books this year, which is 111% of my reading challenge. Hooray for myself! On top of this, I manage to finish reading the whole Bible. God's Word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path throughout this challenging year.

The Way Forward:

Hitting the age 40, I am more convinced than ever that time is too precious to be wasted in futility. It is of great wisdom to use our time rightly, saying yes to those things matter the most and saying no to those things matter the least. I am still learning to juggle my time for life-giving process and growth.

To end my reflective writing, I would love to share these 2 quotes from my favourite classic:

My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.

- Louisa May Alcott "Little Women" -

I find these quotes comforting when the whole world turns upside down. These wise words remind me to keep going on with faithfulness and grit, not forgetting to always abide in the Source of my life.

Have a Blessed New Year!