I don’t know about you, but the start of a new year is always invigorating and motivating to me. Even though I know we’ve only flipped the calendar to the start of a new year, it just seems like there’s a blank new page that is fresh and forgiving. And the anticipation of what a new year brings is limitless! It makes me feel like a kid when we had “do overs”. At least in my neighborhood we had “do overs” all the time.
We would be in the middle of a heated softball game and an argument would ensue. One team couldn’t agree with the opposing team whether a kid was out or not. Instead of arguing relentlessly, sometimes we would just decide to have a “do over”. Just pitch the ball again and pretend that the previous play didn’t transpire. It sure saved relationships and friendships…and was a pretty good way of resolving the conflict.
As I thought about a blank, fresh page for 2026 today, I was out walking and enjoying a gorgeous sunny day. I took some time to reflect on 2025. I thought of all the ways God blessed me and my family. To be honest, at that particular moment God helped me. You see I was somewhat down and consumed with worry over a situation in my family. The older I get, the more I realize I am not in control. I was praying and asking God to help me release this situation to Him. That’s when HE reminded me of ALL the blessings from 2025. In fact, an old hymn popped into my mind. The words below resonated with me as I walked. Below are the words to Count Your Blessings.
“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
I’ve sung that song as long as I can remember. But today I truly paused and thanked God for numerous specifics from the entire year. I thought back to major and minor answers to prayer from 2025, but I also thought of countless ways in which the Lord just bestowed His blessings on me just because of His love, goodness and mercy. Some I had thanked Him for prior, and some I had not. Just taking time to recount this and expressing my gratefulness to Him changed my attitude.
Instead of worrying about the situation I can’t control, just having a thankful heart helped me look up!
But I also asked the Lord to help me move forward and start 2026 off with the right attitude and perspective.
Many years ago, our son ran track in middle school. Nathan was an extremely fast runner as a kid in elementary school; he was always at the top of the charts when it came to races with his peers. When he got to middle school, he found track to be a little more competitive. But I digress. Needless to say, his dad and I attended all of his track meets.
During the track meets, I learned about other events that occurred simultaneously or prior to Nathan’s races. I kept records for shot put and came to love all the boys competing.
But what stood out to meet was the long race in which there was a relay and batons were passed. I distinctly remember watching one of those in which one of the runners looked back at his opponents so much that he lost ground. He slowed down to what seemed like a crawl because he turned to look back and was fixated on the other runners vs. looking ahead and keeping his eye on his goal (passing the baton to the next runner).
God spoke to me as I watched that boy. Suffice it to say, he cost his team that race.
Why did I bring that up? What’s my point? Sometimes we can get so bogged down with the past. We all have regrets; we all have acted in ways we wish we could change or perhaps make wiser choices. But if we’re not careful, looking back can cost us to the present.
Currently, I’m praying for two ladies who can’t let go of the past. One is a widow who is still grieving the loss of her husband, even though his passing was three years ago. I hurt for her and feel for her. I can’t imagine the pain she’s endured. But I also want to tell her that God still has a purpose for her; life is passing her by.
The other lady is grieving a relationship in which she was the victim. Her husband divorced her after being unfaithful. Again, I’m empathetic to her situation. But she still is rehearsing the hurt over and over — and wanting vengeance. I see it hurting her in the process.
I’m not trying to be judgmental in either situation. I just have learned from experience that the past can’t be changed. We must look back with thankful hearts that God protected us, God was patient with us, and ask God to help us learn from our mistakes and move forward.
I think there are certain things we have to be intentional to leave in the past. In my opinion, we can only accomplish this task by relying on the Holy Spirit’s help to do so. This list isn’t exhaustive. Here are just a few:
Fear that holds us back from being obedient
Fear that keeps us from being bold/courageous and acting
Bitterness and resentment
Unforgiveness
Selfishness
Broken relationships
Grief
Not seizing an opportunity
Allowing anger to get the best of us
Acting in ways that aren’t Christlike
As we lay these things down and leave them in the past, how do we move forward and start the year off on the right foot?
For me, it involves being intentional in many areas of my life:
Being disciplined to get up early enough to have a consistent quiet time with the Lord that involves not just Bible reading but actually studying and dwelling on the Word. And having time to pray and listen to the Lord before rushing off to do the next thing on “My to Do List”.
Asking the Lord to show me how HE wants me to spend time in my day…for HIM to set my agenda vs. me doing that.
Being aware when He drops opportunities in my lap…and not being selfish but recognizing them as divine appointments. A week or so before CHRISTmas I was super busy with finishing up wrapping, cooking, baking and picking up a few last-minute items for gifts. In addition, I had made some goodies to deliver to widows/widowers in our church so they would feel remembered and cared about. Right in the middle of this frenzied time, a gal from church who was going through a very difficult situation stopped me at church and poured out her heart. I listened intently and prayed with and for her. But she also called me on two different occasions and needed to talk for 90 minutes! I told the Lord silently that I didn’t have the time for this, but He told me otherwise. I had to stop and consider “her needs more important than my own” during that time (Philippians 2: ). I knew she was hurting and needed to unload. I knew she craved a shoulder to cry on as well as godly advice. As I listened, I prayed for her silently and myself to give her advice that came from His Word/the Holy Spirit vs what I thought was best.
I will admit I was in a panic when we hung up, feeling behind and overwhelmed. But God also assured me I did the right thing. I’m learning to listen more and “die to self”.
In 2026, I want to care more about pleasing Him and being obedient.
Part of that for me is trusting that God will equip me for whatever task He has called me to do – whether that’s listening to a hurting person or writing. I must confess. I still feel inadequate in the latter. But He’s teaching me to depend on Him and just be obedient, even if I feel inept.
How about you? How will you work to make 2026 a year that honors God? How will you let go of yesterday’s failures and just be thankful for how God got you through? Will you move forward, trusting Him at every turn that He has a purpose and plan for your life?
2026 has endless possibilities. It’s a blank page. How I pray you and I make the best of it and please God at every turn!
Laura's Lines 