October 27, 2020 (Tuesday)
Well, here we are in the last days of October, and there is one more storm in the Gulf, evidently headed for South Louisiana, following a path similar to several other storms. Zeta is the name, but since it is a letter of the Greek alphabet, I assume it is neither a boy’s name or a girl’s name, although I think I knew a girl named “Zeta” a long time ago. Maybe not.
Sunday will be November 1, and guess what? We return to standard time at 2:00 a.m. that day. Daylight saving time got its start in World War II, and became known as “War Time.” I knew that, I’m sure, but I had forgotten it until I read it this week.
Every time I think of DST and extended daylight, I think of the lady who wrote in, “These longer days are ruining my lawn, because it gets too much sunshine.” Of course, standard time is just the opposite with its short days and long winter nights. That may be a problem for us this winter, as the virus spreads more easily when people stay inside, close together.
November 1 is a signal to us that November 3, election day, is only hours away. There has been more interest in voting this year. Early votes signal the most votes cast since 1908, something you don’t remember unless you happen to be 112 years old, or older.
Signs of Halloween are everywhere. Next comes Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. Finally, New Year’s Eve, and presto! All of a sudden it’s the year 2021.
In light of 2020 being such a bad year for so many, what do you think the year 2021 holds for us?
Some old sayings and Scriptures come to mind:
It does not matter what happens to you; what matters is how you react to whatever happens.
Life’s experiences cause us to ask, “Why?” but God wants us to know “How” to get through them.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” was written to encourage Christians during the “ups” and “downs” of life.
“I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand,” says the beautiful song.
And don’t forget the words of the prophet Habakkuk, who faced hard times with faith: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 KJV).
All these sayings shall comfort and strengthen us in 2021, and during the remainder of 2020.