INTERVIEW WITH ELLA ROSE, A 2020 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE:

The current pandemic has shown its influence beyond the curse of illness inflicted on untold millions. We all have stories to tell of the ways our plans have changed in the past few months. Beyond the simplicity of “change,” in many instances, our plans have been dashed. Disappeared. Gone. Have you questioned why, beyond the physical science of a lethal virus? Have you questioned why beyond the lack of candor of China (in generous terms) when they withheld information about the virus? Have you asked God how to navigate your new living reality?

As I continue to interview graduates, they respond in synchrony to this reality, expressed by Ella Rose. “I imagined my senior year in a certain way for my entire high school career. As the quarantine continued, I came to the realization that I wouldn’t have a prom or a graduation ceremony or everything I had been promised since kindergarten.” In many schools across America, no graduates walked across a stage to receive their diploma, signifying their readiness for the next step in life. There was no “Pomp and Circumstance” playing to heighten already profound emotions. No hoots and hollars, whistles and applause, celebrating fulfilled achievements, or even victory over trials. “Traditions,” as they sing in “Fiddler on the Roof,” are important. We look forward to our traditions, which usually are a testament to our deeply held values.

[For a taste of tradition, listen here: youtu.be/wl7BY5y7vP4]

Ella Rose shared how she adjusted to her cancelled celebrations, and things seemed okay. After all, prom and graduation celebrations aren’t the focal point when you are standing on tiptoe, peering into your yet-to-be-revealed future. “Honestly, for me this wasn’t the end of the world. … college was my main focus,” she said.  Having begun college coursework during her senior year, Ella Rose was ready for the transition, in anticipation of bursting forth into her new adultness. But, more challenging was when the pandemic drug on, and still remains. Would it also shortchange her dreams for starting her “new life”?

Where is our loving God when circumstances fail to meet our expectations? If you are honest, questions often flood our minds when obstacles prevent goals and dreams. Even with a strong grasp of God’s Divine nature and His personal involvement here on Earth, doubts may come knocking. Ella Rose believes questioning is an important aspect to growing and developing, ultimately aiding in better decision-making. She responded with candor: “The pandemic has caused me to question everything in my life.” Yet, she also finds hope in a higher plan than she can control or even understand: “…no matter the reason for this, it was always destined to happen.”

In self-reflection, Ella Rose states she learned some things during this quarantine. As a whole, Americans tend to live busy, distracted with the whirlwind of duties, family life, friendships, and social activities. In being always “on the clock,” there’s no time to reflect on the choices you make, or the value of any of it. Young adults are not exempt from this common suppression of inner emotions and spiritual dimensions with unending to-do’s. The Bible says human life is like grass. You may not like that simile, but it is a reference to the brevity of our existence. Should we not take time to evaluate how we spend these precious days? Surely none of us, if we grasped how quickly our physical lives go, would choose to squander it.

Not being surrounded by her burgeoning social relationships, Ella Rose “was forced to truly feel my emotions instead of escaping and distracting myself.” Ahhh, so insightful, Ella Rose. So often we are uncomfortable with our feelings, so we wiggle away from confronting them. Keep busy-busy-busy, and you won’t have to figure out anything important. You can just keep moving from one thing to another and never stop even to breathe, let alone evaluate the meaning. If you pause, you may find you do have some questions. What in the world is this existence all about? Are you a some kind of cosmic accident? Or do you have a higher purpose and design? Questioning is a good thing if it takes you to truth instead of denial. It’s good to ponder, ask, and then choose wisely how you will live.

God holds the answers. When you ask “Why?” remember even more importantly, “What can I learn from this?” We may never understand every eternal purpose, but God never fails to listen earnestly to his seeking children. I have many questions for God when we meet face to face. For now, I will rest in peace as David writes in verses 13-14 of Psalm 27: “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord. Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord,” (NIV).

Interview with Allison Hicks

So, what do you do when you don’t know what to do? When life throws a curve ball, which it always seems to do at one time or another, we do have a choice. We have the choice to yield to an enduring despair, or we can figure out how to move forward.

Allison Hicks, a high school honor graduate, experienced many losses in her senior year. Covid-19 had its way in her personal world as it did in the lives of untold millions of people. She writes: “In the craziness of Covid-19, it was impossible to make plans that had a good possibility of being carried out. … I began to let go of all expectations since everything was constantly changing ….”

So in these times of “craziness,” how do we live out each day with any kind of peace? In Hebrews 13:5, we learn a foundational promise from God. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” That’s an enormous truth to hang your hat on if you are a Believer, isn’t it? Drill down, and you end up with this truth from Psalm 46:1-2: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” Do we live like we believe this? Or do we feel like we are abandoned by our Creator to deal with our losses alone?

During Covid-19, it seemed everything was cancelled. Used to a supportive cluster of friends, family, pastors and teachers, she couldn’t even meet with them. Allison was cut off. What? No Sunday morning and Wednesday night events? She said, “Biblical community is so important for spiritual growth.” That is a loss. A big loss.

Allison also had plans — good plans. All cancelled. She was going on a mission trip to Mexico this summer. She had also planned to attend a conference with speaker/author Jackie Hill Perry. So, how did Allison find her compass in this time? She discovered something many adults sometimes don’t grasp in their dark times. Allison says, “The only thing I could do was let go and put my trust in God. He is a consistency in an ever-changing world. His peace is not found anywhere else.” Such wisdom, Allison.

As 2 Corinthians 12:9 so clearly states, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” We don’t always have the courage or strength for the challenges before us, just as the disciples truly expressed their fear in the storm-tossed boat. But, as Allison so aptly put it, “I have learned a lot more about trust. I’ve learned that I have to surrender control in order to truly experience the peace of God. If I try to maintain control over my life, I will never experience the plan that God has for me.”

May we all learn and grow in faith so we might become brilliant lights in our dark world, sharing our hope in Jesus Christ in all seasons. Thank you, Allison Hicks, for sharing the lessons God has been teaching you as you learn to walk closely with him, no matter where the road leads.

Christmas in much of America overflows with celebration: gatherings of friends and family, decorations, lights, music, food, gifts to give and receive, and special programs at church. In the midst of all the gala events, those of us who celebrate the birth of Christ also diligently try to prepare our hearts for the meaning of Christmas. We don’t want the priceless “reason for the season” to get buried in an avalanche of gift wrap, bows, and parties. Sometimes we become desperate for a moment of quiet reflection while busily completing our to-do lists. Cards? Check. Gifts? Check. Food prep? Check. Gifts wrapped … well, maybe by midnight Christmas Eve if all the toys and bikes are properly assembled?

I will never forget an unusual Christmas I experienced eight years ago. I learned more spiritual truth in that unique celebration than any other in my lifetime. It was Christmas Eve. I was all alone … well almost. I was with my eighteen-month-old grandbaby, but she was barely talking, and her bedtime was at seven p.m.

I can still hear my daughter’s voice on the phone  just a few days before Christmas. Sadly, we were across the continent from each other, from the east to the west coast. Her baby boy had been admitted to Children’s Hospital with congestive heart failure. He was born with a sizable hole in his heart, but the cardiologist was hoping he could grow a little more before surgery. “Mom, I need you. NOW,” she said breathlessly. Our eighteen-month-old granddaughter needed care. Her parents needed to be with our six-week-old grandson who was now immediately scheduled for open heart surgery.

I hopped the next flight out while my husband stayed home to welcome another daughter and her family who were driving from out of state to spend Christmas with us. It was hectic. It wasn’t planned. It was scary. So much was at stake, and naturally, our attention was diverted from the usual Christmas traditions. We fervently prayed Psalm 91 prayers for our baby whose life was on the line. We asked everyone we knew to pray for this tiny one, his mommy and daddy, and the medical team into whose hands his life was entrusted.

Christmas Eve arrived, and my adorable little toddler’s scheduled naps, meals, and bedtime negated a church service. At dusk, I loaded my little blonde bundle in her wagon, and we began a Christmas Eve walk through the neighborhood. In the simple expression of the Whos of Whoville (from The Grinch) when Christmas was stripped of its busyiness and trappings, I still had worship for the One it was all about. In simplicity. I sang every Christmas Carol I had ever learned — one baby girl, me, and songs of worship from ages past. My heart was full, and I felt the peace that passes all understanding. Not my peace as my heart was anxious. His peace.

Why did I have peace when our circumstances were filled with such scary possibilities? Just as Mary sang, the young mother of Jesus, my heart was filled with praise for the Mighty One, my God, my Savior. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant” (Luke 1:46-47 NIV). Christ’s coming so I could have a relationship with Holy God was the greatest gift ever. What we were celebrating wasn’t dependent on traditions.

As one with family scattered across the country, it’s easy to reminisce. There were once hectic holidays with large family gatherings with our own little ones, their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. I remember the chaos and fun with fondness. Yet, sometimes it takes having all of our usual customs stripped away to see the greater treasure.

I will never forget the love and quiet reflection I felt on that unusual Christmas Eve. It helps me step back into time, and imagine the fear mixed with blessing that the young Mary experienced. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14 NIV). May you also know His peace and presence this Christmas.