Are you someone who enjoys reflecting deeply on life, like I do? I’m a planner at heart—constantly reassessing my goals, tweaking my plans, and reflecting on the progress I’ve made. Recently, I’ve been taking it a step further by reviewing not just my weeks, but my months. I pause to reflect and record the blessings, the lessons, and the growth I’ve experienced. I also look forward to the month ahead, listening carefully to what the Holy Spirit is whispering to my heart and how He leads in different aspects of life.
In addition to my monthly reflections, I also take time for quarterly reviews—looking closely at family, relationship, health, spiritual and financial goals to stay aligned with God’s purpose for my life. After all, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV). The hope is that when we commit our actions to the Lord, our plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3, NLT).
As 2024 quickly draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year with deep gratitude and awe. This year has been filled with blessings and challenges. It wasn’t without its trials—grief, loss, and the heartache that comes with the changing dynamics of relationships. One of my close friends, someone I spiritually connect with deeply, moved away, and I’ve felt the waves of grief that follow such a transition. Tear-filled conversations over coffee or on a walk are now over the Marco Polo app and it’s just not quite the same. I’ve also walked alongside friends in their life-altering struggles, sharing in their burdens, and mourning with those who mourn.
Yet, even amid these difficult moments, 2024 has been a year of incredible growth. I’ve seen how the Lord has faithfully worked in my life, deepening my faith and confidence. I’ve made strides in pursuing the calling God placed on my heart, even when no one else knew the quiet victories. I've witnessed God's blessings and promises over my children and had powerful encounters with the Holy Spirit—experiences that I will never forget and that have shifted the course of my family's spiritual journey. My word for 2024 was blessing, and I’ve been intentional about speaking and declaring blessings over my family, friends, and those around me. I’m in awe of how blessed we were this year! God has not only opened new doors for me but has also brought new communities into my life—people who feel like family and who have helped me articulate the things I’ve been feeling spiritually. It’s been a beautiful season of learning and sharing, and I’ve been able to pass on that wisdom to my children in ways I never thought possible.
This year, my husband and I also made a conscious decision to prioritize fun and joy in our lives. And this year has been fun! From our first cruise to multiple concerts, a spa getaway with close friends, and a summer resort trip with our kids, we’ve truly leaned into the joy that life has to offer. Michael and I even had the chance to get away together, just the two of us, for the first time in years—a five-day trip to Colorado (a bucket list destination of mine), where we experienced stunning scenery and attended a life-changing conference that deeply impacted us both.
For years after having children, it was a miracle for me to get through one book a year. My favourite pastime was overcome with the realities of being a tired parent, too exhausted to even read. This year, I have read over 15 books!
And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:46-47, NLT).
The Lord has truly blessed us in so many ways this year that I couldn’t recount them all—from prophetic promises and confirmations to fulfilling even the seemingly little desires of my heart, I have seen the goodness of God this year, and I boast in Him for all He has done in me and my family. As Christmas draws near, Luke 1:46-47 resonates so deeply: And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (NLT).
So, what made 2024 such a great year for us? It wasn’t just the fun or the blessings—it was the intentionality with which we pursued what God had spoken to us. I believe that hearing from the Lord for the year ahead is critical. This year, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to invest in myself in ways I never had before. And I’m grateful to have a husband who supports and invests in both of us. The theme word of blessing I received for the year became a healthy reminder to find the gold and speak it out, but looking back, it was very much a prophetic declaration as well. Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) and the words that you speak over yourself and your family and circumstances matter.
The Lord gave me another word for 2024 as well: Faithful and the reminder that those who are faithful in the little, will be made ruler over much (Matthew 25:23). That word has been my motivation for the year to do the thing I have felt incapable of doing day in and day out, whether I felt like it or not.
As I look ahead to 2025 for where the Lord is leading me, I clearly hear the word advance for this coming season. I sense a deep momentum building in my spirit—almost as if 2024 has set the stage for a double portion of what’s to come. My faith and expectation is increasing, and I’m excited to see how God will continue to move in our lives.
What does all this have to do with you? I want you to know that I haven’t always been in this place of joy and growth. I’ve walked through some of the darkest seasons—years that felt stagnant, like a wilderness where God was shoring up my identity and building my character. There were years of stripping down of old belief systems and limiting mindsets and doing the hard work of inner healing. But through it all, He has been faithful. He is a God of hope, and no matter what your 2024 looked like, I encourage you to seek out the gold in it. Reflect on all the ways, big and small, that the Lord moved in and through you this year and approach Him with gratitude and celebration. Then, set your heart on hearing from Him for 2025.
The turn of the year may only be one day—the moment between December 31st and January 1st—but the symbolism is powerful. A new year can feel both exciting and daunting, depending on how you choose to approach it. But this isn’t just another New Year’s resolution that sets you up for failure. This is an intentionality about seeking God’s guidance and His promises for your life in this next season and even prophetically declaring it. I encourage you to trust Him in the process. As I reflect on how the words God has given me each year have built upon each other, I stand in awe of His faithfulness. I’ve experienced exponential growth, and I believe He wants to do the same for you.
So, as we move into 2025, I ask you: How have you experienced the goodness of God in 2024? What word has God placed on your heart for this new season? I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit for a scripture and word to guide you, then speak it over your life daily—declare it with faith, knowing that the Lord watches over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).
As you enter this new year, take a moment to reflect, plan, and commit your actions to the Lord. Let Him guide you into a year of growth, blessings, and advancement. Your best season is ahead.
*If hearing from the Holy Spirit is new to you or you would say you have not heard from Him, check out #3 in my blog post Walking by Faith One Step at a Time: 4 Basic Strategies to Increase Faith post for more information on how to position yourself to hear from Him. I plan to post more about hearing from the Holy Spirit in 2025, so stay tuned!
If you’re feeling called to grow in your faith and step into your divine purpose in 2025, I would love to partner with you on this journey. Whether you’re seeking clarity, direction, or support in breaking free from a season of stagnation, I’m here to help you navigate what God has in store for you. I will be opening up a limited number of coaching spots in 2025, and I’d be honoured to walk with you as you step into the growth and breakthroughs God has in store for you. Contact me today to learn more about how we can work together. Let’s work together to unlock your potential and embrace all that God is leading you toward this new year!
Komentáře