—We Made It—
One of the hardest years in recent history is almost done—do you find yourself reflective this week? This year it feels particularly important to look for joy, celebrate even the smallest successes, praise God for his faithfulness, and acknowledge where we’ve fallen short in hopes of trying again in 2021. Most of my deepest reflections stay off the internet but I like giving a fun review of my favorite things, which you’ll find below.
If you’re finding it difficult to set your own goals for the new year, check out my post from last January called Goal Setting When Your Soul is Tired.
—The Favorites List—
Best Books of 2020: I read a lot more in 2020 than I have in recent years but I don’t think any book on my 2020 list was actually published this year except the first two, which are crucial reads for anyone wanting growth in their spiritual and emotional health: Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us Out of Anxiety, Stress and Survival Mode Into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber; AND Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen.
I also loved the memoirs, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist and Our Lives Revealed AND I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. One of the best parenting books I’ve ever read is Are My Kids on Track?: The 12 Emotional, Social and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach. For fiction I’d recommend Daisy Jones and the Six.
You can see my full 2020 Good Reads List here.
Best TV/Movies of 2020: Some Good News with John Krasinski, Ted Lasso, Little Fires Everywhere, Miss Americana, Peanut Butter Falcon and (don’t judge me)… Virgin River.
Best Music of 2020: Need to Breathe’s Out of Body album, Taylor Swift’s Folklore
Best Podcasts of 2020: Nice White Parents, and The It Was Said podcast (particularly President Obama’s Charleston sermon) are two professionally produced shows that take a historical look at present day social problems with thought-provoking takeaways. I loved Remember Who You Are on The Next Right Thing—it’s a short episode that packs a big spiritual health punch. Mike Kelsey and Jemar Tisby on Why History Matters is a good intro for anyone wanting struggling with how to make sense of racial tensions in America. Also, I’d recommend a bunch of Bridgetown sermons including The Way of the Mustard Seed, and A Pastoral Word on the Election & Politics.
Best Blog Posts / Articles of 2020: For everyone, but particularly people of faith: The Evangelical Reckoning Begins / For the white person wrestling with race: A Story and a Prayer About Cake / For the writer: Bring Your Whole Self to the Story / For anyone who is afraid: How to Live in the Face of Fear: Lessons from a Cancer Survivor / For the Spiritual Seeker: Threshold Practices and Doorknob Prayers / For parents: How to Raise a Gracious Kid / For anyone who had to give up dreams this year: My post for Coffee + Crumbs
Best New-to-Me Recipes of 2020: Jonathan’s favorite fluffy pancakes / After School Banana Bread / Vegan Tofu Tacos / Sticky Sesame Chickpeas / Josephine’s Swedish Apple Pie and Andrea’s vegan and gluten free coconut chocolate chip cookies—neither of which exist on the internet but still receive honorable mentions.
What Worked For Me in 2020: Finishing Theodyssey and starting it again / Staying in the moment / Reminding myself that “hard work is good for you” and “a dream delayed is not a dream denied.” / Embracing the bright sides of homeschooling / Running regularly / Free-range parenting / Becoming a crazy plant lady / Eating a LOT more plants / Memorizing scripture / Chasing solitude / Reading outside / Getting in the ocean instead of watching from the sand /Regular connection with our neighbors / Outdoor dining
Best Moments of 2020: Watching Owen ride a bike, starting a Readathon (and raising way more money than expected!), getting a puppy, four clear scans for Owen, seeing Half Dome again, hiking Smith Rock as a family, biking together, regularly seeing the sunrise.
Looking forward to in 2021: going mask free to the grocery store (please, dear Jesus, please), getting on an airplane, finishing the school year strong, having people over for dinner, corporate worship, starting a Master’s program.
—Something for YOU in 2021—
I’m starting a monthly e-mail newsletter. It’s called The Tide Chart and each month you’ll receive a short letter, a few of my favorite things, and a word of encouragement for your life journey. I’d love for you to consider subscribing…just click here and then look for the first newsletter in January.
Photo by Danil Aksenov on Unsplash