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Embracing the Unknown in 2025

An early morning contemplation

Early in the morning hours, a few weeks ago, hardly awake, my thoughts shifted to the coming new year. What would the new year hold? And strangely enough the word that came to mind as I lay there and pondered was the word unknown. Well, that’s not the most inspiring word for the new year I thought. In the past few years, I’ve made it a point to ask God for a special word for my life for each new year (words like joy, abide, gaze) but this time it was a bit unusual. I do know there will be coming change in my life this year as my husband Dave will be retiring after a long career. (don’t worry, I’m not retiring) But what else?

As I write this blog, I reflect on the last year for myself and the people in my life. For many it was a great year: with new beginnings, new marriages, new jobs, new babies, and new opportunities. Yet, for others, it was filled with heartache and loss. One friend lost her mom a week before Christmas and felt numb and deeply sad. Another friend was weary and exhausted as she helped her daughter get through breast cancer, a double mastectomy and care for her two small children. Another friend struggled to get through the holidays after the loss of her teenage son a few years ago.

That’s the thing. With each new year that any of us face, we truly don’t know what’s ahead. Sure, we make plans, some of us make New Year’s resolutions, set new goals, start a diet plan, etc. Others decide to let life happen. Que sera, sera.

Either way, whatever personality style individuals may have and no matter what any of us humans do to try to prevent suffering, heartache and loss, we are truly powerless. The reality is that we live in a fallen world with brokenness, disappointments and loss despite all we do to avoid suffering and pain.

Throughout the day after my early morning contemplating and the foreboding word Unknown came; I asked myself, what do I know to be true? What is known in my life? What do I have certainty about since so much of life is uncertain? Where can I put my confidence for the new year 2025?

The answer came. It was loud and clear. God. Oh right, yes, Him. It is faith in a God who loves me and knows the future and every detail of my life. I was reminded of how the move to Colorado was so daunting and scary. The jobs I thought I had fell through and my daughter and I lived on savings for 6 months. I had moved everything I had from Oregon, closed a private practice, sold my house and moved to Colorado to start a new life. Since the jobs didn’t pan out, I volunteered at a church food bank and through that we had plenty of groceries. We didn’t know anyone, yet in 6 weeks I met Dave, the man I would marry the following year. The unknown was not known when we left Oregon in torrential rain, driving a giant Penske truck, and pulling my Subaru- but we came with hope and expectation. It was rocky for sure, and I was tested to the very core of my being. There were days with lots of tears, fear would overwhelm me, yet God put everything together like a giant puzzle, piece by piece. I’m actually grateful I didn’t know how hard that move was going to be because I might have changed my mind! It was the greatest risk I’ve ever taken, yet with the greatest reward.

As I embrace the Unknown in 2025 with what is known- that God is with me, I encourage you to find that grounding as well. Find those verses in the Bible to ground you. Verses like Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” And, in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Both are ancient promises given to the children of Israel, but also promises for you and me as we put our trust in Him. Will you join me in embracing 2025 with faith? Let’s be grounded in a relationship with the God who loves us, knows us intimately and holds us close to His side.

 

 

 

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A few months ago, I was driving my trusty Subaru Ruby to see a friend and meet her for a walk around Clement Lake. It was a hectic Friday afternoon with traffic and the left lane I was in was backed up with cars that were not moving. I decided I should change lanes and move into the middle lane. I turned my head to make sure there was no traffic coming and pushed on the gas, and SMASH! I jammed the left front of my car into the woman’s SUV in front of me. The whole front side of my car was crushed, and I could barely open my door. I sat there shaking for a moment and could hardly breathe. I couldn’t believe I had done that. How could I have misjudged the space between cars? I’ve changed lanes thousands of times and never misjudged the space. My thoughts were interrupted by the woman in front of me who got out of her SUV and came over to my car, "Are you okay?” she said, “Yes, I’m okay.” I said, “Praise the Lord, we’re both okay,” she exclaimed. Wow, so kind. I had flash of a memory of an accident as a young woman, where the person I hit came out yelling and screaming at me and literally jerked me out of my car, so this was a welcome surprise. I called Dave and then called the police and was able to move my car out of the way of traffic to the left. I did end up getting a ticket, but nobody was hurt, and I was able to drive my car home. The woman I hit was a grandma and on her way to church for a baby shower with cupcakes in the backseat of her car. She remained calm throughout the time we waited for the police and even asked to pray with Dave and me. While we waited, the words that came to my mind whispered from the Lord were “Time to Slow Down.” I had caused an accident and wasn’t even pressured to be somewhere at an exact time-it was a casual get together with a friend, but I had raced down the road like I had to get there in a mad chase. Ugh. I’m human, I made a mistake. I was very sorry that all happened, and I was shaken up for a while. I felt bad for the woman who had to get her car fixed, sad for my car, and sad for myself. I also felt anxious driving and changing lanes in the next few weeks. I ended up trading in my car and now drive a Highlander which I feel much safer in. But I’ve pondered that message from God a lot since then. I remind myself daily that I need to slow down. Not just in traffic, but in my thoughts, striving, and my many lists of things to do, etc. I tell myself daily, “slow the pace, deep breathe, one thing at a time.” It was a painful lesson, but I’m grateful I’m on the other side of it all and moving a little slower and more mindfully-a slowed down pace and a little more peace.
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