This photo was taken one year ago at New Smyrna Beach. For me, that week marked the beginning of the pandemic. I was already following what was going on in other parts of the world in since early February. But that week in March, life as we knew it changed.

It has been striking to hear numerous reviews of the past year, often from very different perspectives. In many ways, it feels like life is finally returning to “normal”. I realize we’re not there yet and it may be difficult to know when we are there.

But I find great comfort in comparing the pandemic to other cycles in life – one sunrise to the next, the four seasons, the succession of generations. And God is present in each.