Today’s Reading: Psalm 86
This morning, I chose to read through my devotional thoughts from last New Year’s Eve, reminding myself of the place of total surrender I found myself in as I was closing out one year and looking ahead to the next. This intentional pause on the last day of the year gave me the opportunity to learn from my 2024 experiences, finding closure while building on all that the Lord has taught me in this last season.
One year ago today, without knowing all that the coming year held for me, I made the following five commitments:
• To finish what I started.
• To give everything to the Lord before the year began.
• To ask the Lord to equip me with everything I would need for the year ahead.
• To build the house the Lord was calling me to build, doing so with the Lord’s help.
• To be available to do whatever the Lord wants to do through me.
2023 was a year to embrace the Lord’s call on my life to live light on my feet. We sold, gave away or tossed most of our belongings, placing the most sentimental items in a one stall garage for another day. We went from an apartment in Kansas to an apartment in Indiana, sharing space with our youngest daughter as she prepared for all the major life changes the year held for her.
2024 was a year to live out the level of obedience to which God had called us in 2023. We fell in love with the community of Carmel, making the most of our short season of living in this adorable town. We walked the Monon trail, tasted the local cuisine, found our favorite coffee shops, and even made it to a couple of Indiana Fever games. Scott traveled a lot for Nazarene Bible College while Brooke and I planned for her June wedding.
By the time the honeymooners returned to the apartment in July, the last of our stuff was either loaded in our car or in the garage. For five months, we traveled from speaking engagement to speaking engagement (revivals, retreats, college presentations, and more). We were blessed to spend time in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, California, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, New Brunswick, Ohio, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, Georgia and Missouri. For five months, we enjoyed making new friends while intentionally taking time to rekindle lifelong friendships.
As one of the most interesting years of our married life drew towards an end, we sensed the Lord calling us to something new. Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene invited Scott to be their new pastor and the Lord made it clear to us both that it was time to get off the road and set down roots. God’s timing is perfect and we were able to spend Christmas in our new home, surrounded by our three daughters and their husbands.
And now here I am sitting in the glow of our Christmas tree. My cup is full and my heart is eager for all the Lord has ahead for us in 2025. From being light on our feet to grounding ourselves in a community of believers, I am grateful for the many ways in which God has shown up for us this year. And I believe the Lord will continue to be faithful — to be good, merciful and loving. In light of this confidence, I place my life in His hands and trust Him with all that lies ahead.
I COMMIT ONCE AGAIN TO GIVE EVERYTHING TO THE LORD AS I START A NEW CHAPTER OF MY LIFE.
I want to be as sold out to Jesus in 2025 as I have ever been. I want to experience more of what the Lord has for me as I hold onto less of what I want and more of what He wants. I ask the Lord to equip me once again for everything I will need — to give me wisdom, endurance, discernment, patience and more. I want to be available to do whatever the Lord wants to do through me.
Lord, thank you for bringing me to a place of total surrender once again. Thank you for the opportunity to pause and consider my readiness to be used by you in the lives of other people this year. I pray for a fresh passion for the lost, a restored energy for the work ahead, and a heart that genuinely reflects the heart of God.
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5
What is your prayer as you turn the page to the new year? Are you prepared for all that the Lord has for you in this next season? This morning would be a great opportunity to give the Lord your biggest fears and greatest concerns regarding what lies ahead. Today is the day to pray for the Lord to increase your faith and help you to trust in Him through all of the unknowns. Let’s pray Psalm 86 together as we give this next chapter to the Lord.
Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
answer me, for I need your help.
Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
You are my God.
Be merciful to me, O Lord,
for I am calling on you constantly.
Give me happiness, O Lord,
for I give myself to you.
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
hear my urgent cry.
I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
and you will answer me…
For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.
You alone are God.
Teach me your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
so that I may honor you.
With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.
I will give glory to your name forever,
for your love for me is very great.
You have rescued me from the depths of death. – Psalm 86:1-13