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Top 10 Blog Posts of 2020

January 8, 2021 by Lauren 17 Comments

We have rounded another year.  I say “another” as if it retains any semblance to the others.  It doesn’t.  But I have lived (somewhat), written, felt and survived to do it all again.  I am so very thankful that the challenges of 2020 pushed me closer and closer to my Heavenly Father, but now I would like them to end (said in jest – sort of).

 

I want to thank you, bloggy friend, for taking the time to follow my writing and for any amount of time sacrificed to read these words.  It means more to me than you could possibly know.  And each and every comment left was like a present for me to open.  While I know now more than ever that I have no idea what topics the future will provide for this website, I still plan a little, holding it loosely.  Proverbs 19:21 says, Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. NIV  I desire deeply for God’s purpose to be fulfilled here.  

 

So I looked back for research at what posts you all enjoyed most from last year.  This information helps me hone in on what is helpful and meaningful to you.  So I present to you (in case you missed any of these or would like to revisit) the top 10 most viewed posts from my site in 2020.  And thank you again being such an important community for me. (Also, take a gander at my list of the top posts of 2019 here.)

 

10.  The Good Thing V. the God Thing  February 7, 2020

Mark 1:40-45 tells the story of a man Jesus cured of leprosy only to command him to keep his miraculous healing to himself.  Common sense seems to say that Jesus’ ministry would only be enhanced by the sharing of this good news.  But God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), so we must seek His guidance in all things and not forge ahead using only our own feeble wisdom.

 

9.  God is Good…but Life is Still Hard  March 6, 2020

Certain situations and events from the year past drove me to study Job.  Good ol’ Job who lost his wealth, his family and finally his own health.  Although he lamented (this can be so healthy), Job never lost his faith in God.  In the midst of his heartache – before any earthly blessing was restored to him – Job exclaimed, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.”  (19:25)  When all else slips away, we can cling to that.

 

8.  I Love…  February 14, 2020

This Valentine’s Day post only touched on romantic love.  It’s more about the many things and people I love and am thankful for in this life.  Even though I wrote this pre-Covid 19, reading the list again encouraged me.  So many of my treasures I still enjoy in the midst of it.  I hope it encourages you too.

 

7.  Better Late than Never – My Thoughts on Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Others  June 5, 2020

As the death of several black Americans set our world on fire last summer, I struggled with whether or not my voice in matters of systemic racism and injustice mattered.  But I finally had to speak – with people that I know and with my computer keys.  I forced myself to examine my privilege and any biases and prejudices with which I view the world.  I don’t pretend to be “woke” to the things I’ve been blind to, but I am determined to keep working on it.  All life has value.  Genesis 1:27 says God created mankind in His own image.  The Bible lists no exceptions to this.  Black lives matter.

 

6.  The Pursuit  May 8, 2020

Using a different translation of Psalm 23:6 gave me a deepened perspective on God’s vast love for us. He created us, He loves us, and He wants us.  In this world that is still so full of uncertainty, I find great comfort in this.  In Him.

 

5.  Farewell to February  February 28, 2020

This was the only month end review to make the list.  Reading again about all my social activities pre-virus almost brought a tear to my eye.  May it be again soon, Lord.

 

4.  Today I Cannot…a Coronavirus Lament  May 15, 2020

The title of this one explains itself pretty well.  It took me a couple of months of lock down to reach this boiling point, but many of these things still grieve me (although some days my will to endure stays stronger than the moment in time I penned this).  Maybe you can relate to some of my things.  And maybe you just need to read the verse at the end for comfort and hope.

 

3.  A Conversation on Race, Part 1  June 19, 2020

Two fellow bloggers of color, Yvonne Chase and Calvonia Radford agreed to an interview on the issues of racial injustice that news journalists and the everyman with a cell phone brought to the forefront of our consciousness.  I will warn those of you that look like me that it’s not easy to read.  But I pray you will be prompted to examine your own heart against the feelings and facts they share. We still have a long way to go in the arena of race relations in America.  You might just find a good start here.  And don’t miss the links to their websites. Read Part II of this conversation as well.  “In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.”  – Angela Davis

 

2.  These are a Few of My Favorite Things (100 to Be Exact)  November 6, 2020

“If I am losing it beyond the normal parameters of losing it, I write out or say 100 things I am grateful for.”  – Jami Amerine.  She calls this a gratitude blitz and I tried my hand at it a couple of months ago.  That this list landed in the #2 spot tells me a lot about our need for positivity right now.  Hopefully something you read here will touch you, encourage you, entertain you or motivate you to make your own list.  And maybe we will decide – at least for a moment – that things really aren’t that bad.

 

1.   Dear Teenage Daughter, You Aren’t Entitled  February 21, 2020

I suspect from this #1 post that some of you deal with the challenges of an entitled generation.  I promise you that this letter, written two days before my teen’s  birthday has a happy ending.  And she gave me her permission and approval.  Part rant, part lesson and confession from me – it is all heart.  And I could not love her more.

 

This concludes a year in the life of this blogger.  A year I honestly hope we never see the likes of again.  But important lessons for me – and maybe you – reside here.  I hope you are informed or encouraged, and I pray God is glorified here.  I thank you, again, for being my reader friends and hope this relationship continues into the new year.  Also, happy birthday to the best Papa in the world (and Elvis).

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

In keeping with the theme of my post for this week, I chose Heather Hart’s Top Candid Posts of 2020 on candidlychristian.com.  I would love nothing better than for you to hop over and see some well-loved posts from one of my teammates at Grace and Truth (after you read mine of course).  😉

Grace and Truth_Rules

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).Grace Truth_ButtonGrace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

 

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Today I Cannot…a Coronavirus Lament

May 15, 2020 by Lauren 34 Comments

Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash

Today, I cannot restart Mickey Mouse Clubhouse one more time.

Today, I cannot do the same exercise routine I have been doing since the gyms closed.

Today, I cannot fetch one more item for my girl with the broken leg.

Today, I cannot plan another meal that has a 75% chance of rejection by my teen.

Today, I cannot prod and cajole my daughter through one more online therapy session.

Today, I cannot flirt with my husband and romance him like he deserves.  My elastic waistbands and ponytails make me feel so unattractive.

Today, I cannot make one more boring drive playing my daughter’s music (that I’m sooooo sick of) to lift her spirits.

Today, I cannot do all the things I SHOULD do first and hope a little time remains for the things I WANT to do.

Today, I cannot look at these same walls anymore.

Today, I cannot hear my daughter complain because hugging friends is off limits.

Today, I cannot remember to stop our activities every hour and a half to toilet my special needs child.

Today, I cannot hear that same child say “sad” or “hurt” again – knowing it means she’s not happy without her school routine.

Today, I cannot nag my teenager anymore to stop wasting time and finish her online schooling.

Today, I cannot beg the same child to come out of her room and play a game or watch a movie with us when all the work is done.

Today, I cannot try to cut calories and plan healthy meals and snacks knowing there is a 50% chance I will end up in a bag of chips.

Today, I cannot wonder whether I still have a job.

Today, I cannot make one more video call or message to my family and friends instead of seeing them in person.

Today, I cannot literally drag Shelby’s slow, low-muscle-toned body around the block to make sure she gets exercise.

Today, I cannot grieve for all a loved one is going through and not physically help.

Today, I cannot yearn for the fun summer plans we’ve canceled.

Today, I cannot continue to care give with no respite.

Today, I cannot sit in disappointment or frustration any longer.

Today, I FEEL like I cannot…but I will.

And tomorrow is a new day.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

I love what Lynn J Simpson had to say in Perfecting Unmet Expectations.  She infused some humor I can relate to as she talked about things that don’t go as we planned.  I think Coronavirus has affected all of our expectations in one way or 50.  Click here to read the post and show her some comment love for linking up with us!

 

Now for this week’s link-up! Let’s bless and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord.

 

Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement every week. If you’re a blogger, we hope you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader, we hope that you’ll encounter new bloggers that love Jesus as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Join us each Friday for the Grace and Truth Link-Up!

To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to laurensparks.net in the right hand column of this page.

Heather Hart & Valerie Riese

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
 

Maree Dee

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
 

Lauren Sparks

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Lisa Burgess

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
1.)  Following your hosts via their blog and social media channels is not mandatory, but appreciated!

To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to laurensparks.net in the right hand column of this page.

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. We will delete these links. We also reserve the right to remove articles that don’t align with the theme or are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community among us, so please don’t link and run!

4.) We sort all links randomly – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

Featured Post Requirements

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. It is not mandatory, but it is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to emphasize and promote via their social media channels next week.

Grab a Badge and Link Back to this Post

And now, let’s link up!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

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About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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