I can’t believe we are at the beginning of another year! Is it me, or does time seem to fly by faster with each year? At the cusp of every year, we look back at the days behind and wonder what the days ahead will bring. While we can’t know for sure what lies ahead, I know God is already there. If we look carefully, we can see just a glimpse of what we can expect.

New Years Eve happens to be my birthday, so Joey and I went out to have some lunch together and spend some time alone. We started reminiscing of some of the events that had occurred during the year.

Just To Name a Couple…

Joey and I talked about the various stretches of time when he worked in California. It wasn’t easy and all I can say is I have a huge amount of respect for military families and others who are apart from their spouses for long periods of time.

While Joey was in Cali, my youngest had issues at school. We decided to homeschool for the remainder of the year. Again, huge respect for those that homeschool. I’m afraid I may have screwed up his education! Or at least his understanding of Algebra.

During our homeschooling months my dad had a stroke. Two weeks after he was released from the hospital, he ended up going back, unable to walk or even hold himself up.

The fear of almost losing my father again was heart-wrenching. We almost lost him back when I was fresh out of high school due to kidney disease. He wouldn’t have made it another year had it not have been for a hero, an who organ donor who unfortunately passed away. My dad received his kidney.

We shared about other instances that seemed to either knock us to our knees or leave us standing with our jaws dropped to the floor, wondering what the heck had just happened.

We talked about my mom being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, leaving our home church of twenty years, and me losing my job. We talked about how it felt letting go of everything that made us who we were, everything that gave us a sense of purpose.

Give Them a Glimpse of God’s Grace

On my personal Facebook page, I shared about a song from Battledrums worship called, Just A Glimpse. I explained how much this song meant during a really tough week. God seemed to give these little glimpses of Himself, letting me know it was going to be okay.

There are times when things are so painful and it’s hard to focus our eyes on anything other than the pain. Can I encourage you to reach out to others during that time? Others that will listen or be that shoulder to cry on. Someone who will pray and walk with you through your difficult moments.

And if you don’t have anyone like that, reach out to me. I’d love to pray for you and walk alongside you, and I know other women who would as well. We were never meant to do this life alone, so don’t think you have to.

Sometimes, when we’re walking through a dark valley, even just a glimpse of light is enough to keep us moving forward. If you know someone who is going through a dark time, be that light for them. Give them a glimpse of God’s grace and compassion.

What to Expect

While there were ups and downs throughout the year, there was one thing that was constant. Jesus. At times when I was hurt or confused or angry, not once did He falter.

You see, we can expect God to be God. We can know that no matter what comes our way throughout this next year, that we have a God who knows all things, works in all things and will carry us through all things.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds my future. That doesn’t mean it will all be easy, it only means that as I walk this journey I can hold on to the hand of the almighty God who holds it all in the palm of his hands.

It means that as I focus my gaze on Him, I can expect to see glimpses of Heaven. Glimpses of His mercy and grace and His unending, unconditional love. That when I walk through a dark valley, His light will lead me to safety. It means, that I can be content for now, with even just a glimpse.

I pray that as we begin this new year that we look expectantly to God for all that He has planned. That we hold tightly to His truths, walking in obedience with our eyes fixed on Him.

Have a happy 2020 and may all your days be filled with God’s blessings!

If you’d like to hear the song referenced here, check out Youtube and search for Just A Glimpse by Battledrums. They are the worship team out of Calvary Church in Albuquerque, NM.

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