Hand to Heart

Life Surprises in 2020

written by Diane Cheveldayoff

2020 started off like a normal year, until it quickly hit with many surprises. For most of us, these were not the fun and happy surprises we tend to enjoy. My surprise was my business I owned for over 22 years was shut down due to Covid-19. Since travel came to a halt, so did my business of working with companies handling group events and meetings. My income for 2020 was basically eliminated, as well as most for 2021, since I book a year in advance. Earlier, I had another surprise when my business lost a large account, but the lockdown brought new meaning to the term loss. I spent most of 2020 cancelling groups without a salary to show for my time, but what made matters worse was my husband did not have a steady income either. The fear of lost finances that had been developing within me the past few years was now brought front and center.

How does one go from being financially independent to being totally financially dependent on one’s spouse? How does one trust their spouse will provide when he’s not had that primary role in the past? Obvious changes had been happening as business declined, and my financial role shifted. We had been discussing and planning for this change of responsibility, but the process was to be gradual. Then, the 2020 surprise occurred. We went from a gradual shift to total annihilation.

I’m sure you have had situations come upon you suddenly that take you by surprise. When this happens, many questions start evolving and can surface suddenly. We questioned, is this caused as a result of our country’s shutdown or is it a way God took the situation totally out of my control? Did He have to take drastic measures eliminating choices to get my attention? Our current financial situation may be different than yours, but we all need the reminder not to keep our focus on money or our situations, but instead hold onto the reassurance He will not leave us. The author of Hebrews writes, “Don’t love money, be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I win never abandon you.’” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT)

We realized our situation could be due to unrelated circumstances that forced our issue, but we can’t help but wonder about these situations in our life. It’s easy to question our daily choices and life lessons, but what attitude do we have when we question God? Are we trying to fix our situations or are we trying to understand how to surrender control to Him? No matter the answer, it all comes down to: Do we trust Him? Do we recognize God is not surprised by this or any other situation we face? He has a plan for us, and even if we choose a different path, He can still turn it to good, despite ourselves. The prophet Jeremiah tell us, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

We need to have faith that IF it is His lesson or IF it’s completely unrelated, we must still trust Him. We need to believe He will never leave us or forget us. Moses encourages the Israelites as they are about to enter the Promised Land, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT) Our faith brings hope, which helps us to know God has good planned for our future and we want to remember He is not taken by surprise. Ultimately, we can know God’s plan is 150% better than ours will ever be, even when we can’t see it.

Your challenge may not be the same as mine, but we all have challenges. Regardless of what they are, may we continually remind ourselves that when we can’t see His Hand, we must trust His Heart.