But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”

I Samuel 17: 34-36 NKJV

As we wrap up 2020 and prepare for 2021, we began this week by enumerating the need to objectively evaluate our 2020, focusing on the positives, developing an attitude of gratitude for all the good things that have happened to us and for us this year, we also talked about the importance of appreciating people that have made us smile instead of focusing on those that have made us mad.

If you must enter 2021 with renewed strength, confidence, positive mental attitude, faith in God and in yourself, then one person whose relevance, contribution, importance, faith, strength, doggedness, resilience, endurance and discipline you must pause to evaluate, acknowledge and celebrate is you. Yes, YOU. Take a look at you, your contribution to other people’s lives, your community, church, neighborhood, etc. has been significant. You are special, your existence has been meaningful. You’ve added value to others. 2020 has been made better in the life of others by your existence, you have added smiles to the lives of others.

Mary, my mother in-law’s domestic help from a Francophone country, with whom communication was a challenge when she first arrived in April. She wanted to share her testimony in church but was too shy, so she shared with me after service -“my testimony is that I can now speak English”- then suddenly I remembered our initial struggle communicating with her. Now she communicates in English fluently, reads English Bible, and even writes in English. Celebrate yourself, the exams you passed, the project your contribution made possible, the sacrifices you made in the life of others and tell yourself “thank you!” You lived and you made 2020 great. Forget about the things you’re yet to achieve, the things you don’t yet have, the mistakes you made. Look at something good you have done this year, the assistance you gave someone who was stranded or lost, those little things that brought a smile to someone’s face and joy to their heart. Look at yourself in the mirror, call your name and tell yourself how wonderful, special, relevant, and a blessing you are and say “thank you for making 2020 great, let’s do it again in 2021.”

It will improve your self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Your self-value will increase, you will see yourself in a new light. Your zest for living will be boosted, your purpose for living will be redefined. Your 2021 will definitely be different with that kind of mindset and your testimony will be even greater.