If I had to rank the best years of my life, 2018, the year I married my husband, would probably be at the top.

Or maybe it would have to be my senior year in high school, which was filled with celebrations – prom, homecoming, graduation, and moving into my college dorm. 2017 would be high on the list as well, that was the year I lived with my two best friends in our first apartment and got my first full time job.

It’s so hard to rank the best year of my life because I’ve had so many great ones. But if I was asked “Kaylee, what’s the worst year of your life?” No question about it, the answer would be 2020.

I don’t think it’s far fetched to say that most of the world would rank 2020 at LEAST in their top 3 of worst years ever. Life seems like it changed overnight. I can hardly remember what life was like when an air freshener hung from my rear view mirror instead of a face mask.

We’ve all faced different kinds of hardship this year.

For some people your entire work day is now spent on a zoom calls from your kitchen table. For others you’ve suddenly become home school parents and are having to teach yourself common core math when let’s be honest, none of us were even that good at normal math…

Common core math Memes

Some people were planning big life events like weddings and graduations in 2020 that have had to look radically different than planned. For my friends that had a baby this year… some of them couldn’t even have their husband or mom in the delivery room. Baby showers were completely virtual and maybe the saddest part is they can’t introduce anyone to their sweet new baby until it’s safe again.

With so much change and hardship it would be easy to become discouraged and start wishing that 2020 could just be over already! Trust me… I feel that.

But hear me when I say … do NOT let the enemy use 2020 to beat you down.

Here’s my favorite remix of Luke 6:27-29

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love 2020! Do good in 2020. Bless 2020 even if it curses you. Pray for others who have been hurt in 2020. If 2020 slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If 2020 demands your coat, offer your shirt also.”

When circumstances in this life come against us God calls us to rise above those circumstances so He can be glorified. I’m reminded of a story I heard earlier this week about a couple whose wedding was scheduled for summer 2020.

Newlyweds Melanie and Tyler donated the meals from their wedding reception that was canceled due to the coronavirus to a homeless shelter in Ohio. The couple visited The City Mission Laura’s Home outfitted in their wedding gown and tuxedo to deliver and serve the food and dessert over the weekend to families in need.

I’m sure that when Melanie and Tyler realized there wedding wasn’t going to be anything like they planned there was some sadness, disappointment, and probably anger. But after they took time to be sad about what they had to give up, they got creative about what GOOD they could do.

I encourage you to do the same with whatever circumstances surround you this year.

Jesus, Thank You for 2020