2020 Reflections and My Word for 2021

I didn’t blog on a regular basis in 2020. Plenty of good intentions but not enough follow through. But I’ve enjoyed writing a year end reflection post for several years and didn’t want to miss writing one for 2020.

MY WORD FOR 2020

Revelation (Ephesians 1:17)

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

2020 was definitely a year when I needed the spirit of wisdom and for God to reveal Himself to me in fresh ways. It was a year of COVID19. It was a year of isolation from so many of the people I love (I miss hugs and cuddles 🥰). It was a year of Zoom meetings. It was a year of social upheavals. And it was a year that demanded I focus on the Lord’s sovereignty above all else.

BIBLE READING AND STUDY

In 2020, I finished the BSF study of Acts. But it was in the summer when I led a group of women via Zoom through the video study, Jesus and Women.

Oh my. I learned so much in this study. And it fueled my existing interest to read and understand the Bible through a First Century, Middle Eastern lens.

2020 RELEASES AND WIPS

In March, I re-released my novel, Trouble in Paradise. It’s always nice to have a novel available to readers again after it’s gone out of print. Early in my career, a book was available in a bookstore for about 8 weeks and then it was gone for good (except libraries and used book stores). The beauty of ebooks and POD is that a book is now available for as long as an author or publisher choose for it to be available.

In July, my 81st and 82nd releases came out. First was How Sweet It Is, the third book in the Legacy of Faith series. It was a bittersweet moment, watching this series come to a close. I loved the Henning family so much.

A week later, my first novel with a biblical setting was released. Rich Beyond Measure tells the story of the widow who gave the two mites in the temple, and the book is part of Guidepost Books Ordinary Women of the Bible series. Writing this novel was one of the most meaningful experiences of my career, mostly because I spent part of every day searching the Gospel accounts, following Christ’s movements through Galilee and in Jerusalem, studying the words in red in my Bible, and researching life in biblical times.

In 2020, I wrote what will be my 83rd release, Make You Feel My Love, a stand-alone novel. My publisher has designed a gorgeous cover for the book, and I cannot wait to share this story with my readers. It will be available in July 2021.

Finally, as the year came to a close, I was nearing the completion of the book that will follow Make You Feel My Love. It’s too soon to share a title (I have a working title, but I don’t know if that’s what it will ultimately be called). Stay tuned for more about it in future blog posts and in my newsletter, Robin’s Notes.

FAVORITE MOVIES/SHOWS SEEN IN 2020

Since 2020 wasn’t a year for going to the movie theater, my viewing pleasures came from the TV in my living room. Not quite the same experience as the theater but not bad either.

Early in the lockdowns, I set myself a goal to watch all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies that were available for me to see on Disney+ plus a couple of rentals. I finished the last one about six months later (23 in all). It was fun. My favorites remain the Guardians of the Galaxy films, which I’d already seen, but there were some others I liked a lot.

My absolute favorite show of the year was The Chosen, Season 1. I’ve watched it multiple times (at least half a dozen) and never tire of it. I’ll keep watching Season 1 until Season 2 releases, hopefully before the end of 2021.

Other movies/shows of note that I watched in 2020:

• 1917
• Harriett
• The Mandalorian
• Greyhound
• Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

5 STAR READS OF 2020

My Goodreads Reading Challenge goal was 36 books. I more than doubled that by year’s end. Here are the books that earned 5 stars from me.

• The Healer’s Touch by Connilyn Cossette
• Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg
• A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell
• Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin
• Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg
• I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard
• Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
• Daughter of Cana by Angela Hunt
• The Gown by Jennifer Robson
• Jesus and Women by Kristi McLelland
• The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
• The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan
• Vying for the Viscount by Kristi Ann Hunter
• A Path to Redeeming Love: A Forty Day Devotional by Francine Rivers
• Redeeming Love: The Companion Study by Francine Rivers and Angela Hunt
• A Woman’s Place by Lynn Austin
• The Lost Airman by Seth Meyerowitz
• Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

LIFE IN GENERAL

Hey, it was 2020. Life in general was strange. Besides the strangeness (that everybody understands):

• I had to have surgery in September, and although the recovery took a bit longer than I’d expected, I did get there and am feeling fine.
• My shoulder continues to give me grief from my fall on the ice in February 2019, and I may need to have something done for it beyond the physical therapy I tried. I’ve got several friends who’ve had rotator cuff surgery, and I know that recovery is long and unpleasant. I hope to avoid that. Time will tell.
• I resumed my college studies in the fall, taking American History 2 (from Reconstruction through the first decade of the 21st century). Loved it and learned lots. Next up is Physical Geography.
• Mostly, I stayed home in 2020. I put gas in my car only three times this year. That tells you how little driving I did. I’m thankful for grocery delivery, socially distanced chats with my neighbors, and the technology that has let me stay in touch with family and friends.

MY WORD FOR 2021

Rest

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matthew 11:28-30, The Message

After this past year, I look forward to gaining a new understanding of what it means to receive rest from Jesus. His rest is so much better than the temporary rest that humans seek.

I wish a safe and healthy new year for all of you, my friends. May it be a year when we draw another step closer to Yeshua the Messiah and know His love, peace, and rest.

~robin

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Robin Lee Hatcher

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Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her 90+ books have won multiple awards, including the RITA, the Christy, the Carol, the FHL Reader's Choice, and the National Reader's Choice Awards. Robin makes her home in Idaho.

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