Hello, readers! Today’s reflection comes from TCU graduate student Emily Sagraves. Emily is a 2nd year master’s student in the Higher Education Leadership program at TCU, and she is the graduate assistant for TCU Student Activities. She also served as an intern for our office this year and ran two book groups (she led us through Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection and Mari Andrew’s Am I There Yet?). She was such a terrific intern that we begged her to stay on an extra semester; thankfully, she said yes!
Reading:
Psalm 30:5b NKJV
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
Reflection:
Is it morning yet?
I think we can all agree that 2020 has been one of the longest years. I can still remember exactly where I was when the world seemingly stopped and we were told that lockdown was in effect. My roommate and I spent the days watching late night tv and eating copious amounts of comfort food (aka Torchy’s guacamole), and the experience was riddled with both laughter and tears.
Despite all of this, there have been glimmers of joy that I have been able to cling to. My cancelled internship turned into an entire summer at home with my family in the Wyoming mountains, my hesitance toward using Zoom became a way to meet people where they are, and the cancellation of in-person events led to an abundance of creativity in my work. This year has felt like one continuous night, with no light at the end of the tunnel in sight. However, morning is coming!
As the Psalmist writes, and as we think toward 2021, joy is coming in the morning! The darkness and weeping of 2020 is almost over and we will be able to move to a fresh start and a new morning with 2021. Let us reflect on the blessings that God has given us this year and hold on to hope for the blessings to come in 2021, for “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12 ESV).
Prayer:
God, please guide us through the night and continuously remind us that You never stray and You will bring joy in the morning. Even in our darkest times, You are by our side through it all, ready to celebrate with joy! Thank you for your continuous provisions and for the joy and hope that we have in You.
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