The United States of an African

As we all know, 2020 is undoubtedly the strangest year in the world’s modern history. It’s a strenuous attempt to keep track of the plethora of events. But for those of us who are still alive, I implore you to consider hope for the rest of 2020. If I’m being honest, personally, 2020 is not the most difficult year I’ve experienced. I believe it’s those who have been privileged in certain aspects of life that consider 2020 the worst. They have been forced to come face to face with strange discomfort, forced out of their ignorance, forced to realize their privilege or the privilege of others. But there are those who have experienced answered prayers in this year. In times like these, I feel like their praises ought to be amplified just as loudly as the cries of the oppressed. Maybe even more. And no I don’t mean that the voices calling and crying out in sorrow and desperation for change should be turned down or muted. Absolutely not! It is their voices that prompt overdue changes. But for the sake of our spirits, we shouldn’t remain jaded by the injustice and ugliness of humanity. Yes, it is exacerbating. But there is still beauty from the ashes.

As I write this, a song by Elevation Worship is blasting. You take what the enemy meant for evil and You turned it for good. I’ve seen God do this in my life multiple times. I’m seeing God do this for His people in 2020. People who were brought to their knees, awakened from their slumber and forced to see the errors of their ways are transforming their hearts and minds. These stories are signs of hope. Just like the sunflower that holds it’s head high, seeking and embracing the sun so should we continue to stay strong with our heads held high. I was going to insert a picture of me in a pensive state, but my friend prefers my smile so here I am smiling in a field of sunflowers.

So as the season is coming to an end, I challenge you to make the most of it before the next. I didn’t get to do as much as I wanted to this Summer. I cancelled my first camping trip because I couldn’t find people who were interested in my little adventure. And no one wanted me going camping alone in Trump’s America. As little as cancelling the trip was, it was the tipping point that made me realize I never acknowledged how much this pandemic and America’s nonsense had taken away from me. I became angry at myself for living in fear, angry with my friends, extra angry with America. I had a moment of depression last month thus forfeiting every single plan. But God, as usual, provided little signs of hope in my life. So now I’m trying to salvage what I can for the rest of the summer, especially as an unemployed traveler. To be honest, with anxiety and depression tugging at my feet, it’s proving to be hard, but I am finding ways. A fellow Michigan blogger inspired me to visit this particular sunflower field at Zilke’s Vegetable Farm in Milan, MI. It’s a perfect outdoors social distancing activity for friends, couples and families. It’s serene, beautiful, plus you can buy fresh produce and also have farm to table lunch. I’m fortunate enough to live in a state with a lot of lakes and fresh water activities. Plus I have a big trip coming up to end the Summer with a bang. I’ll give you a hint: my birthday is a couple days before the last day of Summer.

What little things in your life bring you joy? What activities put a smile on your face? Cherish the moments you have with yourself and with others. Engage in the little things that spark joy. I challenge you to be a vessel of joy.