Change is something that is easy to dream about, but rarely is something easy to walk through. But I have learned that change often comes with growth and improvement if a person chooses to see it that way. In fact the Bible teaches this is true: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NKJV
As 2025 packed its bags and faded off into the fireworks, I reflected back on what had been a rapidly evolving, very challenging, and at times bleak and seemingly hopeless year.
And then it hit me. Everything we had prayed for in 2025 had come to fruition. It didn’t happen the way I thought it would, but literally everything we had given to God in prayer, He had blessed us with. I asked for more patience with my kids, so he gave me seemingly endless opportunities to choose to be patient and eventually I got there. I asked for provision when finances seemed impossible and he gave me plenty of opportunity to earn exactly how much we needed. I asked for more knowledge and understanding of my Bible and His will for my life, and He gave me countless circumstances where I was driven to my knees in desperate prayer and hours seeking answers in His word.
He is a good father. He is always taking opportunities to see me grow and learn. He didn’t hand me the solutions to my problems or just take them away. He inspired me to do the work and when I did that in faith, he blessed me with the solution in time. My pastor, Pastor Alex Pappas, once told me that we are to build the sail in faith and then God will provide the wind. He doesn’t always just take things away or drop a sack of money on your front lawn when you need it, unless He wants to of course, but rather, he is always working and giving us opportunities to grow, improve and become better through our experiences. That’s how we build a testimony and He can use that testimony to help others.
2026 is off to an amazing start, because of the work we did in 2025.
Some things I learned in 2025:
– Never underestimate the power of walking in humility, and obedience to God.
– Answers to prayer do not often show up the way we think they should.
– And lastly, God will move in His timing and His timing often has a lot to do with our level of obedience, our faith, and our willingness to do the work He needs us to do to prepare us for the blessings we are asking for.
