Happy 2021 from Lauren, Mama Uni & Cutiengs Cats! Sharing part of my special New Year’s Eve prayer on the early morning of December 31, 2020. While I was in the middle of writing this, 2021 suddenly became full of problems and pain. I wondered if I should still share this, but I decided to do so. In faith, we believe that the same God who worked out 2020 for our good will also do the same this 2021. And He will do the same for you too. Here’s my prayer:
“Thank You, Jesus, for 2020, which was unexpectedly one of the best years of my life… at least until I let go of the guilt and finally allowed myself to be happy. Happier than I have ever been in years. Thank You for the simply happy times with Mama Uni and the Cutiengs Cats. Thank You for helping Papa Boy and I to become good friends.
It’s true that 2020 started out as a painfully difficult, stressful, and tiring year. I kept wondering why You allowed us to experience the loss and loneliness we did starting from late 2019 to early 2020. Hindi ko maintindihan.
It was only later in 2020 that my mom and I gradually realized that You were only preparing us for the pandemic and the lockdown. And we were overwhelmed by Your wisdom and love because we can’t imagine what would have happened if You didn’t prepare us. Masakit pero sulit.
First, You prepared Mama Uni and I in practical ways… because you knew what would happen in 2020 even if we did not.
Second, You set Mama Uni and I free from some things and some people we would never have let go on our own… because You had something much better prepared for us.
Third, You helped me to realize several important things that could change my future choices… because I never would have realized these things if not for this eye-opening pandemic.
Fourth, after months of crying almost every night…
…because I felt guilty that we were alive and okay while other people are dying because of COVID-19…
…and because I felt frustrated since I was helpless to help most of the people who are suffering from sickness and from the actions of evil people…
You finally helped me let go of the feelings of guilt and powerlessness… because while I still want to help in the few little ways that I can, I surrender to You as the God who can help others in the bigger ways that I can’t.
And because of that, I finally allowed myself to heal and to be happy…
Fifth, after years of running around to help build the worlds of others – because we chose to and we wanted to – by being there for them in their ups and downs, You finally made us stay put at home and slowly rebuild our own broken and tattered world… because there was and is no choice but to mostly stay home during this season of social distancing lol!
Sixth, after years of rushing to give time to others in happy times and in sad times – because we chose to and we wanted to – and after years of stretching ourselves too thin emotionally, mentally, and physically, You made a way for us to spend time together as an immediate family and as individuals… because You knew we really needed it.
…You finally gave us the opportunity to spend time together and to simply be happy together at home: just Mama Uni, me, and our makukulit at masasaya na Cutiengs Cats. Of course, 2020 was definitely a tough year. There were many moments of hard work (both physically and mentally), sheer exhaustion, puyat, frustration, anger, sadness, injury, sickness (non-COVID only!), and more. And yet in spite of it all: A whole book is not enough to contain all the happy moments we experienced and the overflowing joy that I felt during 2020.
…You also gave Papa Boy and me the chance to get to know each other better over video chat. We are much better friends now than we have ever been. It has even come to the point that he is the first person I want to talk to about certain things.
…You also let Mama Uni and me be encouraged and blessed by the warmth and kindness of some of the people we have encountered (mostly virtually, and a few in person) during this pandemic.
…You also gave me space to spend time alone so I could heal, think, read, dance, and pray.
Seventh, You were with us the whole time. 2020 was such a strange year, but You gave us Your presence and You showed us your love in unique ways during this time.
Please continue to show Your love…
To Mama Uni, Papa Boy, our Cutiengs Cats, and me.
To all our extended family, relatives, friends, family friends, churchmates, neighbors, colleagues, etc. Ang tagal-tagal na namin di nagkikita. Nakakapanibago, kahit hanggang ngayon. Please be there with them and for them now that we are apart physically. Kayo na po ang mag-alaga at mag-protekta sa kanila. At sana magkita-kita ulit kami someday… sa earth muna, wag muna sa heaven lol.
To all the sick people. Please, please heal everyone who is sick, especially those with COVID-19. It feels like a nightmare sometimes: it’s always at the back of my mind how the invisible coronavirus can just creep up on practically anyone at all. It’s always at the back of my mind that anyone can die anytime, which is why I am trying to say what I need to say to others before they or I suddenly and unexpectedly leave this earth. But You are the God who are with us even in the valley of the shadow of death.
To all the helpless people, especially yung matatanda, may kapansanan, at mahihirap. Kung kawawa kaming lahat, mas kawawa sila dahil wala silang kalaban-laban sa sakit at sa mga masasamang tao.
To the Philippines. Isang bahagi ng puso ko ay gusto nang sumuko sa bansang ito na kulang na kulang sa tunay na hustisya, pero ang isa pang bahagi ay mahal na mahal pa rin ang aming bayan. Maawa po kayo sa bansa naming wasak na wasak na. Mag-milagro na lang Kayo.
To the world. Please end the COVID-19 pandemic. Tama na po, Lord. Please. Kayang-kaya Niyo naman kung gusto Niyo. Help us all.
I hope to share my full prayer with others and to tell our full story later on. Pero kayo, Lord, alam Mo na yun kasi Ikaw naman ang nagsulat ng kuwentong ito.
For now, gusto lang namin magpasalamat dahil sinamahan Mo kami noong 2020. Sana ay lagi Mo din kaming samahan ngayong 2021. Thank You for Your love, Jesus! Alam Mong mahal Ka rin namin.
Always, Lauren”
And that’s my prayer. Someday, sana mai-kuwento namin ang tungkol sa buhay lockdown namin noong 2020. Pero for now, we just wanted to share this prayer to encourage you all, especially for those who have experienced similar challenges, discouragements, and hopelessness.
On actual New Year’s Eve, as 2020 gave way to 2021, Mama Uni and I also prayed for all of you, our family, friends, neighbors, and more. That was the best way we could think of to start the year. We prayed for good health, healing, and provision for everyone. And that someday, we will all see each other again.
Until we meet again, may the Lord make unexpected miracles in your lives. We love and miss you all (and all our reunions, bonding dates, food trips, Divisoria tours, and more!).
Have an unexpectedly miraculous 2021 from Lauren, Mama Uni & Cutiengs Cats! 🙏😻❤️🐈🌄
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“NEW YEAR’S EVE 2021 PRAYER BY LAUREN & MAMA UNI” : #LaurensNotebook by #LaurenVMacaraeg ✏️
#Prayer #NewYearsEve #NewYear #2021 #2020 #Faith #MamaUniAndLauren #CutiengsCats #Family #Friends #GodWithUs #Psalm1611
Blog Post: NEW YEAR’S EVE 2021 PRAYER BY LAUREN & MAMA UNI
Blog Post Link: http://laurenvmacaraeg.com/2021/01/31/new-years-eve-2021-prayer-by-lauren-mama-uni/
Date of Post: January 31, 2021
Date of Prayer: December 31, 2020 – January 1, 2021
Date of Photo: January 29, 2021
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Hi! I’m Lauren V. Macaraeg, a children’s book author, freelance writer, cat lover, music lover & foodie. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel & other official channels to be part of my adventures with Mama Uni, Cutiengs Cats, family, friends, readers & viewers in the world of books and beyond. Meowhugs! 🎵✏️😻❤️🐈💃👩🍳
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Thanks for sharing this Lauren! Tagos sa puso. 2020 was something but God still made it for good inspite it all. Hugs! And hope to see you in better times 🙂
Welcome, Redge! ❤️ Thanks for taking the time to read my prayer. I’m also encouraged by how you keep trusting God in spite of all the changes you experienced recently. Kakaiba talaga ang 2020, ano? Praying for your family. 🙏 Yes, see you & my little buddies again someday. Miss you all. Big hugs! 😻