“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
As I look back over 2025, I am very thankful for the love of family and dear friends who have made my life richer. Of course, like everyone else, our family has had highs and lows in 2025, but never once did we lack the loving hand of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Never once did we lack the love and prayer support that we needed. In every situation, the Lord has been our sustainer, and He has led us safely through every step we have taken. We have much to be thankful for, health-wise, as Ray has completely recovered from his open-heart quadruple bypass surgery last June 4th. What a blessing his recovery is for me, our family, and our many friends.
In just a few short hours, we will step into the year 2026. Our memories of 2025 will still be there, but we will have the opportunity to make new ones. The reality for all of us is that with each new year, time on earth grows shorter. I don’t know what the coming days, weeks, and months will bring, but I do know who will be beside us each moment. With our faith and trust centered on where God is leading us, we cannot lose.
My prayer for 2026 is that we will listen more intently for that “still small voice” and continually ask God to lead and use us for His good purposes. I pray that He will help us to see people as He sees them and to love them as He does. May each of us strive to be the kind of person who makes everybody feel like somebody. Through Christ, we will accomplish much, not for our glory, but for His and His alone.
Happy New Year, everyone! Praying that you have a blessed year!🎉🎉🎉
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, by Your mighty hand, we have made it safely through another year. We are thankful for the ways You’ve loved and cared for us. As we enter a new year, we pray that 2026 will be a year dedicated to the cause of Christ. Help us to continue growing in our faith so that we might share His love and light with those we encounter daily. We pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
