The Annual Examen: A Practice for Reflecting on 2021

This is an updated repost from last year along with an updated version of the Annual Examen. We hope it blesses you.

We were sure this year would be different! I somewhat naively said at the end of last year, “Surely 2021 couldn't be worse, right?” And yet the world continued to throw us surprises: the pandemic continues to throw plans up in the air, we have known more people significantly affected by COVID, churches are hurting, America continues to be politically divided, natural disasters have wrecked communities, and then some. It was another year for the books.

And yet for Rachel and I, we also experienced profound beauty- we welcomed our long awaited first child into our family, and we get to experience all the firsts with her. She’s been the delight of our lives these past 11 months.