“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3
It’s 6:30 AM, January 1st, 2025. A new year. A new beginning. I’m sitting on the veranda with a steaming cup of coffee, watching the sunrise as it slowly breaks over the horizon. The world is just waking up, and so am I. I have to say—I absolutely love this time of the morning. The stillness, the calm, the quiet moments where I can sit, read, and pray without interruption. It’s rare to find this space during the busy school year, so I cherish these opportunities when they come. I need to make sure this becomes a daily habit—I know it’s worth it.
As I sip my coffee, I can’t help but reflect on 2024. The internet has been flooded with posts about resolutions, goals, and dreams. People are eager to leave the past behind and step into something new. But my mind keeps circling back to something else—how 2024 shaped us. Not just shaped me but shaped us in His eyes.
Last year was a big one. It stretched us, refined us, and drew us closer to Him. It taught me to be slower to speak, quicker to listen, and more willing to offer forgiveness instead of judgment. Those lessons weren’t always easy, but they were necessary. We realized that with God by our side, we are capable of anything. We’ve always known this truth, but walking in it—taking steps in faith instead of staying safely in place—was life-changing. In 2024, we learned to walk instead of crawl. Some of the biggest decisions we’ve ever had to make were made with faith, leaning entirely on Him. And we saw His faithfulness.
New Year’s Eve in Uganda isn’t filled with fireworks or countdown parties. Instead, it’s a night of prayer, worship, and reflection. Many gather in churches, staying up through the night to sing, pray, and give thanks. For them, it’s not just about celebrating a new year; it’s about dedicating it to God.
Jonny and I have never been big on parties, so we spent the evening at home, winding down early and heading to bed by 9:30. With so much happening during the holidays—projects to complete, tasks to finish, and catching up on things we missed during the school year—we’ve been running on empty. But as tired as we were, we ended the year with hearts full of gratitude.
I think back to the soft hum of crickets outside as we turned off the lights. The distant sounds of worship songs and prayers echoed through the night. There’s something deeply humbling about hearing voices lifted in praise as one year ends and another begins. It’s a reminder that time belongs to God, and so do we.
This morning, as I sat with my coffee, I felt the weight of that truth. We’re stepping into the unknown again—new challenges, new opportunities, new growth—but we’re not stepping in alone. God is already here, paving the way. So as 2025 begins, my prayer is this: Heavenly Father, as we stand at the edge of a new year, we pause to acknowledge Your goodness and grace. Thank You for walking with us through every moment of the past year—the joys, the trials, and the unexpected turns. You were faithful through it all. As we step into 2025, we surrender our plans, dreams, and desires to You. Teach us to lean on Your wisdom and not our own understanding. Shape our hearts to trust You completely, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Help us to walk by faith, not by sight, knowing You have already prepared the way. Lord, give us the courage to let go of control and rest in Your peace. Help us to see interruptions as invitations to draw closer to You and challenges as opportunities to grow in faith. Fill us with a hunger for Your Word and a longing to spend time in Your presence. May this year be one where we seek You first in all things. Let Your love flow through us so that we may be a blessing to others. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our hope and our salvation. We trust You, Lord. Make us vessels of Your grace, instruments of Your peace, and bearers of Your light in this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
So as the sun rises and 2025 begins, my encouragement to you is this: give it all to Him. Trust His plans. Walk in faith. And remember—He makes all things new.
Happy New Year! May your year be filled with faith, hope, and His unending grace.
With Love Dana