2020 In Review: The Great Necessity of Beauty

A look back on what this crazy year has taught us and a round up of some of our favorite things this year

Despite its many challenges, this year has been one of great growth for me. Challenging times call for the best of us and if we embrace that, we can grow quite bit. I (and I am sure you too) never expected what this year had in store for us. When I made my goals and plans this time last year, I had never dreamed that in just a few months we would all be under lock down, missing everything we had hoped we would get to do in person.

Looking back, I'm surprised just how much that time of quarantine shifted my priorities by drawing me closer to the Lord, who in turn gave me the grace I needed to hold fast to the hope that all this would end. And interestingly enough, it also helped me start down the road to achieving the goals I'd made back in January. Not only did quarantine help me get into a pattern of exercise that I had been trying and failing at establishing for years, but also gave me time to finish the first draft of my novel (!!!) and birthed the idea for this website. If I had given the four talks as planned, I doubt I would ever have made this site, started blogging, or started the podcast. It's funny the way God works in our lives, the way He expands our vision for what is possible in our lives.

This expansion of vision was another big theme for this year, especially in the last two months. Within that, I saw how the Lord uses beauty to teach us His ways and show us the bigger vision He wants for our lives. This year, I wanted to start reading some more classic literature (and I've been acquiring books like crazy! If you want a good field guide for Catholic literature, check out Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know by Joseph Pearce). Reading G.K. Chesterton (specifically Manalive and Orthodoxy) taught me that every moment, even the most mundane, can be charged with supernatural purpose if we open our eyes to the wild joy and possibility of the here and now. J.R.R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings showed me what is possible when people of any background embrace their calling. C.S. Lewis' That Hideous Strength, combined with The Sunshine Principle by Melody Lyons (while not classic or literature is still a book I would HIGHLY recommend), showed me that while God's plan often requires sacrifice on our part, nevertheless, it is always the thing that brings peace and healing to our souls (and bodies). St. Terese of Lisieux and St. Alphonsus de Liguori (two very good saintly big siblings I had the immense pleasure of getting to know better this year) showed me God's great love and mercy, introduced me to the little way of holiness, and encouraged me to grow in relationship with our Lord and Momma Mary.

All this combined with a few exciting life circumstances showed me that no matter what challenge I may be facing, God's promises, provision, and vision for me are so much larger, wider, deeper, and more beautiful than I could have possibly imagined. Our God is so good and I pray that He will show you this truth too this coming year. His plan for you is more amazing, more perfect, more beautiful than anything you could plan for yourself. So, I encourage you as you make your resolutions for this new year, surrender your too small vision, hold tight to the Lord, and let Him lead you farther up and farther in to the amazing life He longs to give you. May God bless you and yours abundantly this coming year and hold you in His mercy.

Soo... Now on to some fun stuff!

I wanted to leave you all with a few of my favorite beautiful things I discovered (or re-discovered) this year. I hope you enjoy this round-up and I would love to see your lists in the comments!

Favorite Fiction Book of 2020:

I can never pick just one (picking a favorite book often feels like being asked to pick a favorite child) so here's my top three:

That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Honorable mentions: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, Paralandra by C.S. Lewis, and Looking for the King by David Downing

Favorite Non-Fiction Book of 2020:

Again, I can't pick, so here's a top three list:

The Sunshine Principle by Melody Lyons
Alphonsus de Liguori: Selected Writings ed, by Fredrick M. Jones, C.S.S.R
The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux

Honorable Mentions: Draw Your Day by Samantha Dion- Baker, The Five Love Languages for Singles by Gary Chapman, 33 Days to Merciful Love by Fr. Michael Gaitley, and Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know by Joseph Pearce

Favorite Songs of 2020:

Here's my top ten favorite beautiful song picks for 2020:

One by Sleeping at Last
Awake My Soul by Mumford & Sons
Alive & Breathing by Matt Maher
I Found Out by The Head and The Heart
Run to the Father by Matt Maher
In This 23ed Beautiful Year by Kevin Heider
How to Be Yours- String Version by Chris Renzema
La Vie en Rose by Louis Armstrong
Mercy's Shore by NEEDTOBREATHE
Silent Night by Franz Xavier Gruber, The Priests

Favorite Movies/ TV Shows of 2020:

Here are my top three favorite movies and TV shows I discovered this year:

St. Francis of Assisi: Sign of Contradiction (on Formed)
The Story of Robin Hood (1952) (on Disney +)
Fixer Upper (on Hulu)

Honorable mentions: The Chef Show (on Netflix), Avatar: The Last Airbender (on Netflix), The Search (on Formed), and The Chosen (free app)

Happy New Year friends! Know that you are in our prayers!