Tomorrow is officially turning the corner to 2026! Let’s reflect together on our year in review and ask a pointed question: Did last year alter or change ME?
I believe that is NOT always what is on our mind each day. Sure, we want positive shifts FOR us like more money saved up, some personal goals achieved, and maybe even fulfilled aspirations for our children or loved ones. But how about US inside? Am I being molded in the midst of it all?
I was recollecting about this past year, and I learned one large lesson about myself: I usually operate in FAST MODE. I see a need and I try to meet it, but there is always another one around the corner and pretty soon I’m knee deep in GOING and DOING. There are pros and cons to that, but I was taught by God in many instances to SLOW DOWN. I can honestly say that I have a way to go still, but I am learning and delighting in practicing this principle as in turn it makes me NEW, distinct, and more in step with God’s Spirit.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
Well, if Jesus did it and felt the need, all the more of us! I am embracing being alone WITH HIM, and especially during seasons that seem to be “wasted.” What could that look like? If you have ever been sick for a day or more AND/OR had kids or loved ones to care for that are, time can seem long and insignificant. We instinctively may desire to “return to normal” as quickly as possible. Yet, God has taught me to relish those days, to not pray them away, and rather to CAPITALIZE on that time WITH Him and with those in my home. Change your prayer from, “Heal us quickly” to “Heal us in Your time, dear God, and teach us along the way.” That is a prayer He’ll always fulfill!
“Jesus answered them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’ ” Luke 5:32
In this case Jesus is not referring to physical illness or calling the Pharisees healthy but rather emphasizing their refusal to see themselves as spiritually needy. How can we be healed if we don’t think we need healing? THAT is the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ: we were lost and without a Savior for our eternal souls, and God sent His Son to die and rise again to conquer the power of sin (which would have kept us in bondage and away from God forever) and in turn conquered DEATH so that we might live forever with Him (if we receive and believe in Jesus).
This year don’t try to become NEW on your own, but may our prayer be: GOD, so much of the future is OUT of my hands and in YOURS. MAKE ME NEW through each blessing, trial and circumstance. WHY? Because my life is my outpoured offering to YOU. I am here to KNOW YOU and to MAKE YOU KNOWN. This means I can be humble yet strong in You, broken yet JOY-FILLED!
Besides slowing down, the lasting lesson God has placed on my heart in 2025 within the past few weeks has been to openly display my brokenness to others. In a sense I can brag about my ineptness, my insecurities, my fears and inhibitions so that CHRIST can soak up ALL CREDIT for anything done in and through my life. Is it counter-cultural? Yep. Uncomfortable and scary? Uh-huh! I’m still learning, still uncovering sentiments and resistance that I must surrender and lay down, but I know it’s for my good and for HIS GLORY. And truly, isn’t it the broken people that draw us closer to Our Father, and the ones we long to be around? The ones that admit when a situation turns bleak, they need a friend, some financial help, or a prayer of comfort. God has placed these people in my life within the past couple of months, and their brokenness, dependence on God, and selfless abandon and vulnerability has schooled me beyond measure. They have spurred me on, motivated my own faith AND made me glare at myself in the mirror: Do I look like them as they so vividly radiate Our Savior? AM I looking more like my Jesus? I pray it so.
JESUS, MAY YOUR WORD illumine the obscure places in our hearts. Reach into the shadows, to the dark and dusty corners of our lives where we normally have things “safeguarded” against Your entry. Tear down the walls and may the GLOW of who YOU ARE disintegrate our pride and leave us fractured, ruined, and READY for YOUR USE! AMEN. HAPPY NEW YEAR, dear ones! 2026!
Leave a comment below with any thoughts the Lord has put on your hearts for this past or coming year. I too need to hear what HE is accomplishing in YOU.
Enjoy this song that was written by Forrest Frank and inspired after the 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk. A remarkable reminder, Jesus is coming soon! Let’s be ready, dear ones!
Sally,
What a novel way to say it: human BEINGS (in Spanish it is SERES HUMANOS) and in Portuguese I imagine almost the same :).
Thank you for reminding me of Luke 11:42–Mary chose the BETTER. Tasks needed to be done but the timing of Mary sitting when Jesus was present was giving Jesus her BEST. How counterintuitive to SIT and BE in this busy culture of ours–but as we see even “back then” they had a lot to DO and Martha struggled and had to be gently taught by her Lord.
Sending love to you and always grateful for how much you instilled in me as a young girl. IT STUCK and GOD continues to use what you did in my life. 🙂
Love, Krystal
Krystal, How beautiful! Yes, at times God puts us on the back burner. Remember, we are human beings and not human doings. It takes a long time to learn this lesson but He is faithful to slow us down when needed. Luke 10:42 I’m meditating on this verse this week. What a blessing!!
Nicole,
What a faithful commenter you are! Thank you for letting me know this was encouraging for your life. You are one of those people who has a gift for reaching others naturally, a God-given ease for conversation and relationships. May He use that to embolden your children and to touch others with His Spirit working through you!
Nicole,
What a faithful commenter you are! Thank you for letting me know this was encouraging for your life. You are one of those people who has a gift for reaching others naturally, a God-given ease for conversation and relationships. May He use that to embolden your children and to touch others with His Spirit working through you!
Thank you for letting me know you were here, Bethany! You too are a lovely mother and godly example for your children. May He spur us on in our mission! God bless you always!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Krystal! As my kids get older I realize how fast time goes and the need to slow down and savor these moments with them…your family is blessed to have you as their fearless leader! 🙂 praying for a wonderful year for you ❤️
Thanks Krystal always love reading your blogs and find encouragement(:
Anne, I love that you likened us to be “slow as turtles.” Looking at the life of Jesus, he really showed us that we don’t need to be in a rush. It is a relief to follow Him if we learn to rest in doing “the little” He asks of us, because HE always multiplies it beyond our conceptions! Happy New Year to you, dear friend!
Dear Krystal,
Happy New Year! I pray for and receive fast healing as you always can schedule relaxed time with God when you are not sick as well. I can see how being sick leads you closer to God but he wants us well. Thank you for the reminder of resting! I like being fast but God wants us to be as slow as turtles. Anne
Marcia,
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond. Truly JESUS is working in and through your life and I love knowing HE is making the broken things beautiful! 🙂
Krystal, thank you for sharing this deeply reflective and faith-filled message. Your words beautifully honor the quiet work of slowing down, surrender, and inner transformation. Research consistently affirms what you describe: intentional pauses, prayer, and vulnerability foster emotional resilience, spiritual growth, and authentic connection. Your testimony gently reminds us that lasting change begins within, not through striving, but through grace. Wishing you a 2026 rooted in renewal, humility, and joy.