Clear Vision: How will you remember the spring of 2020?

In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, then you will be given renewed health and vitality.

—Proverbs 3:6-8 TLB

Yesterday I heard a radio show host ask, “How will you remember the spring of 2020?”

As I listened to his co-host respond, I thought how I would formulate my own answer. I was struck by the host’s phrasing, how he used the term “spring of 2020,” rather than the “coronavirus pandemic.” I thought about the way many of us use 20/20 to mean clear vision. I wondered how clearly we view the events happening around us. Do we focus on the negative aspects? Or can we see the good things that have come from this pandemic?

As for me, I choose to focus on the good. Don’t get me wrong. I have had some bad days, shed a lot of tears. But I know the difference it can make when I shift my focus to the positive. This is what I want to remember most, and maybe God wants this as well. So if you will oblige me, let me count the good in this season. Perhaps, if you have been down, it will change your outlook too.

This is what I remember about the spring of 2020:

Before the pandemic, many of us were tired and stressed, overworked with little time for our families, certainly no time for creativity. But when we were ordered to stay home, we had time to rest, time with our spouses to strengthen our marriages, time to bond with our children, and time to use our talents in ways we had never imagined.

Artists turned windows into art galleries, sidewalks into masterpieces. They joined their musical abilities to create beautiful symphonies and soul-stirring songs. Writers wrote poems and stories that had been stored inside for years.

People had more time to exercise. Although gyms were closed, they found walking trails a good replacement, as was lifting children for weights.

While they walked, keeping their social distance, they greeted passersby and met their neighbors for the first time. They exchanged kind words as they exercised their legs and their dogs.

And it was good that they walked, because they ate more too. People had time to cook and bake. They used their culinary creativity to make special meals and memories with their children, as they taught them valuable skills.

Children drew colorful rainbows, pictures of promise that they hung in the front windows of their homes. They stuffed teddy bears there too to comfort and bring a smile to those who searched for the good.

People were generous. They delivered meals to sustain those caring for the sick, offered RVs to those who couldn’t go home, and sewed masks for those who needed them.

With teleworking and the closure of entertainment venues, many had more money to give. Without having to drive to work, they saved money on gas. They also saved on hair, nail, and massage appointments and professional clothing. Hidden behind computer screens and virtual images, they attended work meetings in pajamas.

They also saved on lavish (and sometimes stressful) birthday parties. Instead, presents were dropped off on porches and parades drove by, people shouting well wishes from side windows and sunroofs. Others held dance parties in the street, participants separated by six feet, yet joined together in joy.

With fewer trips to the store and more shopping online, they cut down on impulse buying. When they did go out, most of their faces were covered by masks, so they saved on makeup too.

They surprised others with Christmas cards in April, bags of groceries and beautiful gifts left on doorsteps, painted rocks in gardens.

They remembered the sick with Get Well wishes and the lonely with plates of food on Easter and pizza to go on Tuesdays.

They were resourceful and made masks out of tee-shirts, socks, scarves and bandannas. They put to use those sewing skills they learned in school.

They made greeting cards by hand, sidewalk chalk out of cornstarch, and vision boards with magazine clippings.

More on this in my next post!

They worked on projects they had put off. Many made restorations to their homes and property.

Workers used godly wisdom to rapidly solve problems, while remaining flexible in the ever-changing society.

Businesses fashioned products they never figured they would. Distilleries made hand sanitizer, car manufacturers produced ventilators, and designers sewed face masks.

Health care learned new ways of testing; how to set up beds in tents; and how to clean and reuse PPE.

Teleworking for some led to better working conditions for others. Fewer cars on the highways made it safer for road crews to make necessary repairs and improve the infrastructure. Fewer flights led to greater progress on airport construction. And fewer pollutants and less emission led to a healthier Earth.

Although vacations were canceled, people visited more—through Zoom. New traditions were established, like Grandma’s storytime with her grandkids, separated by miles, now all together at one time, sharing smiles, books and the stories of their everyday lives.

Weddings were downsized with gatherings of no greater than 10, yet through the use of technology more guests witnessed the nuptials than ever planned.

Church doors were closed, but the church grew—also through technology. People, once uncomfortable with walking into a church building, attended services online. They participated in communion at their kitchen table with bread and juice, and the live stream on the side.

Some folks prayed together, twice a day at 7:14, for the healing of our land (see 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Unite714.com). Others joined nightly sing-a-longs of praise on their porch.

The week leading up to Palm Sunday, they watched The Chosen, a new TV series about Jesus and His disciples that pierced you to the core.

They celebrated Palm Sunday without palms from trees, but with palms open, surrendering to the One who has the whole world in His.

They celebrated Easter without dressing up, going to church, and gathering with extended family members. Instead, they stayed home with their immediate families and focused on Jesus and His resurrection.

They put into practice the Scripture, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a). They quieted their comings and goings and spent time with Him. He stilled their anxious hearts, and they trusted that in time He would also still the storm.

Government leaders spoke more to the people than ever before. They pulled strings and pulled together finances to provide for the needs of the citizens, small businesses, and the health care industry.

And the people were appreciative. They lifted up windows to lift up frontliners with rounds of applause for their sacrificial efforts; pasted signs to trash cans to express gratitude to those once taken for granted; and taped thank you notes to doors for those who tirelessly delivered their packages.

They rejoiced when they received stimulus checks, which allowed them to make ends meet and pay off debts. They were incredulous when payments were suspended on loans.

Even with doors closed, they saw inside the homes and hearts of others—newscasters, politicians, sports figures, and celebrities. They learned that they are human too, just like the rest of us, with cares and disappointments of their own. They learned to relate and not idolize.

While shut in, some families worked to put puzzles together. They watched the pictures take shape before their eyes. In so doing, they pieced together more than puzzles. They saw good take shape from a pandemic, solutions to problems that snapped right into place.

Some said it was good that it happened in spring, rather than fall or winter. Isolating over the holidays would have been especially hard. I agree. But I say it was good for another reason. When the people spent more time in nature, walking, they also noticed the beauty of the season, new life resurrecting from the earth. It gave them hope and pointed to the Creator. They posted pictures of their discoveries online. And I was reminded of a verse: “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Genesis 8:22).

Seasons come and seasons go. This too shall pass. And through it all, we have hope. God will bring forth a harvest. If we keep Him first, He will bring forth good. He promises in His word.

“In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, then you will be given renewed health and vitality” (Proverbs 3:6-8 TLB).

I want to remember the spring of 2020 as a time of clarity. A time when we were confused and plagued with many questions, but found answers by keeping our eyes on God for direction and strength. A time when we were scared, but learned to lean on His reassuring presence. A time when we were unsure about the future, but trusted in His divine plan, unfolding for our good. A time when we reflected on our past and recognized the error of our ways. A time when we realized that more isn’t always better. And we rested. A time of restoration and refreshment, a season that we emerged from stronger, with renewed vision and health.

Clearly, a time of healing that began long before we knew it.

Dear God, You are ever faithful. You never leave us or forsake us. You bring good out of evil. Thank You for Your patience and everlasting kindness. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, trusting You for direction and strength for this season and the next. Amen.