Christmas 2020

In the final weeks of 2019, I looked to 2020 with great hope and anticipation.

Personally, 2019 — much like 2018 before it — was painful and hard. But by God’s grace we made it to the other side: stronger and better for it.

Professionally, I couldn’t have asked for more. With the help of our small staff and a few key mentors, 2019 had been a record year for the business. We successfully reorganized the business, implemented a host of new processes and were poised to shatter 2019’s numbers in the coming year.

But things don’t always go as planned.

2020 gave us challenge after challenge: an unusually warm winter, a virus, lockdowns, riots, political shenanigans, division and a public anxious and uncertain about their future. Yes, we’re in the “chaos business”. Yes, we’re “recession resistant”.  But a thousand and one factors seemed to be dead-set against we small business owners this year.

Some of you are down double-digits over last year. Some of you can’t get your people back to work. Some of you (probably most of you) have had periods of weeks with no calls, no new work.

But allow me to encourage you: you’ll make it to the other side. You will come out of this stronger and better for it.

None of us know what 2021 (or 2022 or 2045) brings, but I know that I will face it hope-filled, head-on and READY — come what may.

Savor this final week of 2020. Love on your family, your staff, and your community in bold ways. Make plans for the coming year, be hopeful and go forward.

And thank you, dear friend, for allowing us to be a small part of your business. Each of you are truly a joy to work with.

Last thing: I want to share with you one of my favorite Christmas hymns. It was written by the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — a man well acquainted with hardship and grief. Mr. Longfellow penned these words during some of the darkest days in American history; yet, he was hopeful. Astonishingly hopeful. You can read more about his story here. I’ve included the lyrics to his poem below the video.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Hopeful New Year.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”