Can you believe it’s the last week of 2025?

I don’t know about you, but this time of year always carries a mix of emotions for me—gratitude, relief, sadness, hope…sometimes all at once.

Dave and I were able to connect with all our family on Christmas Day. We’re incredibly thankful for technology that made that possible. I thought you might enjoy seeing a picture of our whole clan.

We feel deeply grateful for our family—though I’ll be honest, it hasn’t always been easy or healthy with everyone. God has done quiet, redeeming work over time, and I don’t take that lightly. And if family still feels tender or complicated for you, you’re not alone in that.

Consider

This week, I’m taking time to gently process 2025—the good and the hard, the joyful moments and the places that stretched me thin. I learned years ago that pausing before rushing into a new year helps my heart settle.

If it feels helpful, choose one or two of these questions to sit with—no pressure to do them all:

1. How would you summarize the year in a sentence or two?
2. What is one word that describes the last year?
3. What were you most proud of in the last year?
4. What did you learn about yourself this last year?
5. List the hard things and any results.
6. What do you need to let go of to move forward?
7. Is there anything/anyone from this last year that you need to grieve?
8. What lesson(s) do you want to apply in the coming year?
9. What relationships grew more healthy?
10. What relationships do you need to release?

These are simply prompts, not a checklist. And if you have a practice that helps you close a year well, I’d genuinely love to hear it. Just hit reply and share.

Reflect

Has God ever given you a word for the year ahead? Some women love that practice; others don’t. There’s no “right” way here.

What matters most is this: God already knows what you’ll need in 2026. He isn’t asking you to have it all figured out—only to walk with him, one step at a time.

Taking even a few quiet moments before the year turns can open space for clarity, healing, and hope.

🙏🏻 May I pray for you?

Dear God, As 2025 comes to a close, thank you for Reader. Help Reader gently process both the blessings and the burdens of this past year. Where there is sorrow, bring peace. Where there is disappointment, bring encouragement. Remind Reader of the ways you’ve been faithful—even when Reader struggled to see it. As Reader looks toward 2026, fill Reader with quiet anticipation for what you will do in and through Reader’s life. Thank you for always being present and good. Amen