As we step into a new year it’s so easy to get melancholic about the challenges, victories and sometimes just the happy or sad occasions we enjoyed or survived in the past 365 days.

We as a family have had many changes since this very date one year ago and I am grateful for each one. I am excited to unwrap what lies ahead in both wonder and anticipation!

I think that to a certain extent we can play a part of what awaits us in the next chapter or year. I don’t in any way discount the fact that so many things are completedly out of our control and we can only close our eyes tight and hope for the best.

I do however believe that in many circumstances our attitudes and our posture determines a lot of what lies ahead for us.

A posture of arrogance and self righteousness that comes with the belief that we are so powerful and in control often leads to the downfall we dread. 

The same can be said for a rigid belief that life really does suck and will continue to do so. We usually get pretty much what we expect -not because the “universe” has heard us but because even good things taste sour when experienced through the lens of misery and negativity. Have you ever been in conversation with a person that has a negative response to just about everything? “What lovely weather” gets a “it’s too %$#@ hot”.

“That dress looks great on you” gets a “the fabric is so cheap” and a “ that meal tasted so good” is tagged with a “I thought it was ok, just way too salty”…… you get the picture! I’m sure you know one or a few like that…

On the other hand a posture of kneeling before the Holy One and surrendering our year to Him takes away the responsibility of everything being up to us. I say everything because even in surrender there are things that God gives us responsibility for.

When we hope for the favor of God we are so much more likely to see it. Favor isn’t always wrapped in the exact paper we expect but in my personal experience it often looks even better when I’ve not had my perfect will be done!

Whatever the year ahead holds- the cliche words of “God hold it in His hand” are actually true. I heard someone say today that as God knew on the 31st of Dec 2024 what we would look back on today, He knows today what we will look back on on the eve of 2027.

I’m choosing hope, I’m choosing surrender,I’m choosing life and I’m definitely choosing laughter! The rest is up to the same One who holds my hand as I enter 2026 in the same way that He held onto me entering 2025.

May it be a good, prosperous and grace-filled year for you. And may you look back in one years time to see that the impossible really is possible when you believe.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance,”Psalm 65:11

And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” Romans 15:13 TPT