I love a new year. With the turning of the calendar and trying to remember to write 2025 instead of 2024, comes a chance to think about what is ahead. And what has gone behind. It's a chance to think of all that God has brought me through and reaffirm my trust in Him for what is to come. And none of us knows what that is. And that's ok.
Walking along the small patch of sand and sea, I notice how each day the shoreline has been different. Some mornings it jets further in and sometimes curves more one way than the previous day. And each morning new smatterings of shells have washed in. Always different from the day before. Of course, along with these treasures of no commercial value, there is seaweed and debris, sometimes cluttered and ugly, sometimes even smelly and strange.
I was reminded that our life is life that. We have no idea what this next year, or even this next day, will hold. What will we find? A clean, smooth path to walk along, dotted with enjoyable gifts to investigate? Or sinking sand that we get stuck in, getting us wet and uncomfortable; irritated from having to navigate around piles of smelly seaweed?
In reality there will probably be many of each of these moments and days this coming year. For we live fallen, forgetful and fearful. But we also live faith-filled and focused. Able to trust our good and loving God who forges ahead for us. Keeping our mind filled with Gospel truths that allow us to process and preserve...even though days where our little spot on the beach isn't very picturesque. We don't know what tomorrow's stroll along the shoreline will be, but we know our God, who made every grain of sand and whose Hand holds each crashing wave. And we know He walks with us.
