It was New Year’s Eve 2018, and I was sitting with loved ones, remembering the trials and triumphs of 2018, and looking forward to what new things 2019 could bring.  My cousin, who is very perceptive of emotions and situations, said that 2019 would be “the year of death.”  I admonished him, saying that it was an awful thing to say, especially on the eve of a new year and new beginning.  Then 2019 unrolled and he lost both his mother and his beloved dog within a month of one another.  They were both big losses for him and our family.  I hated to admit it, but he was right, 2019 did feel like the year of death – especially for him.  In the course of all of this, we prayed and studied the Bible together.  My return to faith was coincidentally beginning and growing through this difficult time.  

On New Year’s Eve 2019, I decided to dub the upcoming year “the year of God” as I had recently made the decision to dedicate my life to Christ and get baptized.  Little did I know how true my yearly prediction would be.

As I approached the one year anniversary of my baptism this week, (you can watch a video of it here) I couldn’t help but think of the ways that God has worked in my life over the course of the past year.  I resigned from my employer of 11 years and accepted a new teaching position that was unlike any job that I have ever had before.  Unbeknownst to me, that new job would start just four days before the world shut down due to COVID-19.  Despite getting to know my students with complex medical and educational needs and their families via Zoom, I could tell I was going to love this position and was immensely happier than I was in my prior job.  I thanked God for guiding me to this new job and giving me the courage to accept a position that presented many unknown and potentially challenging factors for me and my family.  

Throughout the course of this pandemic, I (like many others) have struggled with my depression and anxiety.  Despite all of the uncertainty, God has been with me.  As one of my favorite songs, “Graves to Gardens” by Elevation Worship, states, “the God of the mountain is the God of the valley.” He has been with me through my valleys and for that I am grateful.  I truly believe He called me to baptism when He did so that I would have the support of Him and my church in these unprecedented times.  As someone who was new to reading the Bible, I felt compelled to join study groups through Willowdale, even if it was something new and a little scary for me.  In the past year, I have had the privilege of being in three different study groups.  The first began just prior to the pandemic and allowed me to just “break the ice” and take my first baby step into studying.  I met two wonderful couples and loved the fellowship that those few weeks pre-COVID brought me.  After the pandemic hit, I joined another coed group that was meeting virtually.  We intended to have a 6-7 week study, but we started in early spring and did not end until our leaders moved out of state just a month ago.  I know God brought them in my life for a reason.  Our weekly meetings gave me a scheduled time to reflect on the Bible, share in fellowship, and pray with others who over those months became new friends.  Now I have started in my first women's group, meeting virtually of course.  The unique perspectives presented in a group of solely women has been uplifting and comforting.  I look forward to our weekly prayer request emails and Thursday nights have become my much needed self-care time.

If Baptism is a decision you are considering making, I encourage you to reach out and talk to someone!  It can be me, a friend, a fellow church member, or one of our pastors.  If God did not give me the courage to reach out to one of our pastors to discuss my reservations, I wouldn’t be where I am today.  He will let you know when the time is right for you, and the minute you step in the water – you will understand why.  That moment of calm was the moment I realized that my New Year’s Eve statement was right – 2020 was indeed going to the “the year of God.” 

PS - In case you were wondering, we labeled 2021 “the year of hope.”  

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –

 Jeremiah 29:11

ABOUT THE BLOGGER

Lisa Replogle has had a long, ever-changing journey in her relationship with Christ, and she is excited to share what she has learned along the way. She is a certified early childhood and special education teacher and currently teaches high school multiple disability support. She spends her time outside the classroom sharing her passion for dance with local groups for individuals with special needs. Lisa and her husband are the parents of identical twin boys. 

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