Looking Back at 2025

I started 2025 with hope and much anticipation. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been challenging myself to finish the year just as strong. To finish a calendar year with hope so that when the page turns, I’ll be just as full of anticipation for what is to come.

I’ll be honest, though, it’s been hard.

Living with faith has been hard.

Trusting God has been hard.

Nonetheless, even though I find myself scurrying through the weeds, I’m seeing bits of hope along the way. My plate feels very full, and there is more than one thing on my plate overwhelming me right now. I’m sure you know what that feels like.

As I began 2025, I prayed for a word to hold on to throughout the year. For a verse I could keep tucked close to my heart. To trust God’s leading and guiding through another 365 days of highs and lows.

I chose the word: Adapt.

I chose the verse: Proverbs 19:21 - You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

The Lord’s purpose has prevailed in 2025. In more ways than one, I’ve seen the goodness of God come through. Even when it didn't make sense at the time, God has been at work, orchestrating every detail for His glory.

Ben and I became parents through foster care this year. We have loved two little girls this year. We are and have been learning so much about cherishing moments and trusting God. It has brought us closer and has been such a fun addition to our ever-growing families. A whole new side of love that I never knew existed—a lot of adapting, especially for our fur-baby, Lilly.

We’ve walked through some pretty serious health concerns with close family members. Still ongoing into the New Year, we’ve had to rely on God’s healing and strength to lead us. We will continue doing this in the days to come.

I’ve learned that out of all the plans that I could ever make, God’s plans are always better for us. When everything feels overwhelming, I’ve learned that God carries us. He’s always been faithful, so why doubt now that He won’t come through? I’m far from perfect. I’m far from having it all together despite what anyone may think. I’m just learning to rely on the only One who can truly carry me through all that may seem chaotic and challenging. It’s a peace that many don’t understand.

I don’t know where you find yourself right now. Maybe you’re in a season of adapting and rolling with the punches in an ever-changing life. I pray you can run so close to the One who will carry you through. Things may not make sense right now, but one day soon, they will. Trust God. His plans for your life will prevail. They will be just as He planned. Be thankful for how far you’ve come and all that you’ve accomplished this year. There’s so much yet to come.

If you need to, take the word adapt and cling to it as you move into a new year. Be open to the challenges and obstacles along the way and see them as building blocks for the person that God has created you to be—a living testimony for the world to see. I’ll be taking the word "adapt" and keeping it close by as I build on it with a new word and verse for 2026. I’ll see you then.