All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

The First Day of a New Year ... what an opportunity! (January 1, 2026)

Listen along here: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/23e4531a/the-first-day-...

The. New. Year has dawned!

Upon awakening, I thought what I have thought since I was a child, 'What do I have to look forward to today?' And just as naturally, I answered myself: 'This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!.'1 A realization, a choice by intention.

Some people make a big deal about going out on New Year's Eve or watching 'the ball drop' in New York City, whereas I had happily fallen asleep last night, but then was awakened by the explosion of fireworks outside, and my little dog 'Philly' (named after my sister who died the day the pup was born) shaking in fear. So I held her tight and at some point, we drifted back to sleep. (as I type these words, I think maybe Philly has more faith than I do - when I hold her tight, she rests because she trusts I will take care of her; do I have that same unwavering trust in the Lord? hmmmm...not always, I fear)

And now the sun is coming up and my thoughts turn toward a new day, a new year, and what my number one priority for the year will be.

Before jumping headlong into 2026, I believe we are wise to take a moment to consider the year 2025. Was Socrates correct when when he said,

the unexamined life is not worth living?

Note: Socrates said this while on trial for his life.2 And yes, he was right.

Our God would not have us dwell on the past - what was, what could or might have been, because such dwelling serves no good purpose. Yet as we are beginning a new year, a little personal reflection is very valuable; a look in the rearview mirror increases our awareness, while of course, forward thinking spurs us onto growth .

Take time to consider, time to think.

How I love these sage words from Ecclesiastes:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3.1-8

Seasons, hmmm . . . O yes, wise Solomon was onto something. Let's make time, a few minutes to reflect: [might want to print this out - to think, to write]

Think, pray, reflect, remember as you think back.

"Heavenly Father, give us the clarity and wisdom to recall the important..."

*What were the struggles, the trials faced? _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

*Anything that caused great pain or sadness?

_____________________________________________________________

"O God, we thank you that even in our pain, You were there. Indeed as we look back over our shoulder, we acknowledge You were with us.

And now, God, we want to put the trials, the sadness and pain at the foot of the cross, asking You, to take our struggles and carry them, heal our wounds. We willingly relinquish them to You."

*What were the highlights, the joys of 2025? ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

*Blessings? Be specific--name them: _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

"O God, thank you for your good gifts. We know that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."3 Any delight, any joy came from your heart for our hearts."

*How about growth in the year? In what ways did you grow in 2025?_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

*Is there anything you ought 'tear' from your life--radically change or improve? This might include more efficient work style, less time on social media, an awareness of intake in general--from food, alcohol, technology, etc.-- think.... _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

In considering these questions myself, blessings as well as trials, I can easily see how God has been so good in my life, how he has guided, sustained and carried me in the roughest spots, including over the days surrounding Christmas which held some very rough moments.

Truly, looking back reminds me God has been faithful. And once again I think of Paul's words to young Timothy: "if we are faithless, he remains faithful,

for he cannot deny himself."4 Faithful is who.God.is....what.He.is.

One thing I know - if I do not take stock, write things down and reflect, I could easily say 'Oh, 2025 is behind me now, 'forgetting so many sweet times. In truth, so much of life was lived . . . the good, the tough, the trying, the blessed. And through it all, God was present, and He was good to me

And now - no living in or dwelling on the past! No wallowing or continuing to look in the rearview mirror. 2025 is uh, well, so yesterday!

Much growth comes in awareness of letting go of what has come before, as we consider that indeed the new has come! If you will just take a hold of and apprehend it, you can experience that which comes next--and that is wonderfully exciting. Ask God about what your number one priority ought be for 2026.

Until next time ... HAPPY NEW YEAR! And, 'let's go Ole Miss!!'

And now, my girl, Melody Noel singing - this song that captures my thoughts toward God right now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eejxamfk5j0&list=RD2x63bhSMEQk&a...

I was blessed to have Melody lead us in worship on our Footsteps of Jesus tour in 2019! Precious heart for the Lord, she has.

Christine

PastorWoman.net