Well, Happy New Year, all. No matter where you are in the world, we are all officially in 2022. And most likely, you’re hoping and praying that unlike the last 2 years, this year will be different. I know I am.

The Year that was.

As I’ve sat and pondered on the year that was, I’ve tried to find some words that articulate what 2021 was for me. And all I can say is this: 2021 was the year that I walked hand-in-hand with disappointment and joy. It was a year that bought some incredible moments of joy; I got engaged and married. I became a step-mum to 3 beautiful little humans. I moved to another city. I started a business. Was given a new platform to share my writing. Friends of mine had babies. All great and wonderful things that delighted my heart and made me lift my heart to God in thanks.

But it also bought with it deep disappointment; family rifts that left deep wounds. Plans and expectations ripped apart at the seams. Being let down by people that I believed cared for me and wanted what was best for me. Rejections. Feelings of failure (more on that at a later date). Grief over shattered expectations. Undiagnosed health challenges that remain unresolved. Hard things that at times bought me to my knees in prayer and desperation.

Life lessons.

Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons we don’t want. Last year was a year that taught me how to sit with grief and disappointment whilst experiencing joy and gratitude. It taught me that life isn’t always either-or, it can also be both-and. And the only way to get through i

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Like it or not, life is going to be a jerk at times. And we’re all going to experience it in some way. I know that’s not the most encouraging thought, but it’s true. But it’s not all bad news. Because if there is something I’ve learned over the years, it’s this: it all passes. We will get through it. You will get through it. Whatever it is, you will get through it. And you won’t be alone in it either, because God is in the midst of it. No matter what the situation, good or bad, God is in our midst. He is with us. And that is the best news, because it means we can rest in Him and know that He will carry us through.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that because God is in it, everything will be easy. I know from experience that it won’t be easier. Some seasons just bring deep pain that lingers. Nor do circumstances change overnight. But there is comfort in knowing that God is carrying us through it. There is peace in knowing that when we surrender the situation to God, He will do something with it. We may not always see it, but we can be certain that He will work all things together for the God of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

But God.

But God. God will come through. In some way, shape or form. And it won’t necessarily look like we expect it to. In most cases, it will look completely different to what we expect. But when we surrender it to God; when we hold our hopes and plans in an open palm and surrender them to God, we will see His goodness. But we need to keep our hearts and eyes open to it. We need to seek His heart,. We need to learn to trust Him with all of it, good and bad. And, we need to never stop loving Him for who He is, not what He can do for us. Because the Gift giver is so much more important than the gifts He gives us. He is more than what he can do, He is God. And that alone makes Him deserving of our adoration and praise.

Today, this week, this year, let’s be people that walk with a surrendered heart and palms held open. Let’s be ready to walk hand-in-hand with whatever may come, knowing that the God who created us is walking with us, tenderly holding our hearts in His hand.

May this year be full of God’s love, grace, mercy and joy for us all.