Through Stained Glass: Advent Word a Day 16--Withstand

 

Withstand

Decency and tolerance, to be of any value, must be capable of withstanding the severest strain.
~Mahatma Gandhi

           The days are short. The nights are long. The weight of 2020 carries on. Who we are today isn’t who we were at the start of the year. Or yesterday, for that matter. Each month since March has presented extraordinary challenges, unparalleled conditions, and contentious circumstances. 2020 has been is challenging.

           We are weeks away from 2021. Many are placing a lot of expectations for the coming year. Instead of dreaming about dancing sugarplums as we head to bed, the fears of reality manifesting as anxiety slither through our heads. If we can make it through the holidays, then the growing light of the New Year will guide us the rest of the way. Still, what awaits us will take time to arrive.

           The journey continues. And it will well into the coming year. How will we continue to withstand this wilderness adventure? My solutions are simple. We will continue traveling with each other. When it becomes too much, we will stand next to each other until it passes. We will withstand the negativity from the naysayers by sharing our creativity's joy—an act of resistance by a caring community.

           We will withstand the frightening fears of a few by baking cookies of glad tidings.

           We will withstand the debilitating doubts of a few by crafting cards proclaiming peace.

           We will withstand the distorted deceits of a few by enjoying what we have right now.

Community.

Solidarity.

Joy.

           We will withstand what is because we know what will be. The joy we have even in these unprecedented days gives birth to hope—and hope is the courage to change what is to what can be.

           The days are short. The nights are long. The captivity of this season’s heaviness will soon give way to freedom as the angel’s announcement of Christ’s nativity.