At the end of the year and the beginning of a new one, it's always good to look back. While it's natural to look back at the year behind, looking at things to fix, I want to also challenge you to think about the wonderful things that have happened. Maybe you started reading the Bible regularly or you talked to a friend about Jesus. Those things should be carried into the new year so God can continue to transform you.

Shelly Esser on the website Just Between Us says this, "Remember, we have a God of new beginnings, a God who doesn't define us by our past mistakes and failures. No, His mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:23). He always stands ready to help us begin again and work afresh in our lives. Great is His faithfulness!

Shelly goes on to say, "There will always be those things that we don't want to carry in the new year with us, that may even need a proper burial from the year before. Things like bad attitudes that you developed that God needs to work on, or relationship conflicts that need to be resolved, or bitterness to be let go of. Or maybe you neglected God's Word too many days to count, so you don't want to carry that with you. You want to make changes so next year you can look back and say, "I met with God more frequently than I ever have; look what God did as a result of my small step of faith."

Shelly challenges us with this questions:

"Why don't you make an intentional date with the Lord over the next few weeks to reflect on the past year?

1. Journal.

    Where did you see the most growth spiritually? What opportunities did you miss? What unexpected events changed your life and relationship with God? What were your priorities? Where did you fall short? What do you want to be different in the new year?

2. Thank God.

     He's done a lot in your life over the last year. Where did you grow closer to Him? How have you become more like Jesus? What new spiritual disciplines did you develop? Whatever happened this past year, be thankful for where God has brought you.

There are definitely things I don't want to take into the new year, so I'm praying big prayers of courage that God will help me work on those areas and leave them in the past."

I want to encourage you to take some time in the next week to reflect on all God did in your life this past yera. Pray about what God wants you to keep and what to change. Praise Him for His faithfulness for what He has done and what He WILL do!

May the Lord bless you and your family with a blessed 2025!

Pastor Caryn