Dear 2024,

You were one heck of a year. There were times of great pain, loss, sadness, grief, fear, chaos and heartbreak. But there were also great times of joy, freedom, healing, love, laughter, hope and light. There were times for endings, yet times for new beginnings and blessings. Old and new friendships to cherish and loved ones to hold near. But most importantly in the midst of everything there was Jesus. He taught me to forgive, heal and lean on him alone. I also learned that my identity can only come from him, that I am fully known and deeply loved. I don’t have to hide anything from the one who truly sees my face. When I seek the Lord and his plans , I find refuge, comfort and peace in the middle of every feeling, emotion or circumstance. I can come to him daily and surrender anew. I don’t have to be perfect to be wonderfully created. Trying is winning. Healing is hard but oh so well worth it. There are days when I’m still healing and learning to walk in his presence, but like I said, trying is winning. True peace can only come from above not from within, by my actions or from my situations. If I chose to pick up my cross and lay my pain and worries at the foot of Jesus, he will grant the desires of my heart. Trusting in him and his plan for my life will only continue to bring me joy and contentment. Relying on his strength to preserve makes me an overcomer in every season. In 2025, I choose to believe in God. I choose to believe in the greater things. I choose to believe in love. I choose to believe in more healing and more freedom. I choose to believe in an unimaginably beautiful purpose for my life and my path. Even when things get difficult, I choose to lean on the Lord in everlasting love. I believe I will grow, make new connections, new memories, and find my source of inspiration, light and identity in He who created me and brought me through the trials of my life. I believe there will be more trials, hurt, and heartache. But I will also choose to believe that good things will come out of that. Thank you 2024 for all the things you were and all the things that you were not. Dear 2025, I am excited to see what you have in store for me and the people around me. And just like that, a beautiful yet unique chapter comes to an end. Here’s to the start of a new page, 2025!