Seasons of Love from Rent
As 2020 comes to a close, I think it’s important to not just leave this past year in our dust (even though we may want to), but to look back and reflect. But just as the song asks, how do you measure a year, especially one like 2020? Do you measure it in rolls of toilet paper or bottles of sanitizer? How about in Zoom calls or shows that you binge-watched on Netflix? Maybe in days you actually got dressed in something other than sweats/yoga pants/PJs?
Jonathan Larson, the creator of Rent, said something in 1996 that I think is extremely relevant today. “In these dangerous times, where it seems that the world is ripping apart at the seams, we all can learn how to survive from those who stare death squarely in the face every day, and we should reach out to each other and bond as a community, rather than hide from the terrors of life.”
It’s easy to focus on the chaos, fear, sadness, loneliness, anger, and turmoil that 2020 brought. But we need to be careful when we look back, which God warns us about in the Bible (Genesis 19:17, Luke 9:62). If we focus on the negativity, it cheats us from all the good that God still has in store. Instead, we should look back to remember all that God has done for us (1 Chronicles 16:12). Through it all, we have so much to be thankful for, and I think this song sums it up well. Love seems like a great way to measure a year.
From the foster care licensing process to waiting for a phone call, we have received a tremendous amount of love and support from our friends and family. Our church community has continued to grow, even though we have been physically apart since March. We have found ways to still stay connected with friends, whether it’s virtually or socially distanced around a bonfire. We have had more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. And then I look at the Rudester curled up at my feet, and Mike sitting on the couch next to me while I write this… So much love. And let’s not forget that love is a gift from above.
So I encourage you to look back on 2020 with a thankful heart. And as we head into the new year let’s continue to “share love, give love, [and] spread love.”
525,600 minutes 525,000 moments so dear 525,600 minutes How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife In 525,600 minutes How do you measure a year in the life? How about love? How about love? How about love? Measure in love Seasons of love Seasons of love 525,600 minutes 525,000 journeys to plan 525,600 minutes How do you measure the life of a woman or man? In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried In bridges he burned, or the way that she died It's time now to sing out Though the story never ends Let's celebrate, remember a year In the life of friends Remember the love You got to, you got to remember the love Remember the love You know that love is a gift from up above Remember the love Share love, give love, spread love Measure in love Seasons of love Seasons of love Measure, measure your life in love
Thank you Kim for the important reminder, “Faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love”.
I love your blog and you!!! Looking forward to Side B, Song 2❤️