Uncharted Paths, Unfolding Grace

2024 Recap | Reflecting On & Surrendering a Year of Unexpected Turns to a Faithful God

When I stepped into 2024, I wasn’t looking for much. No flashy resolutions, no grand expectations, or slogans like "More in 2024." After years of making plans only to see them bend to the will of God’s greater purpose, I learned to hold things loosely. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21) became more than a verse to me—it was an ever-present reminder of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness.

This year didn’t start with fireworks or a long list of goals. It started with a quiet resolve: to trust, to wait, to be present. I leaned into the small things—moments with my children, evenings with a good book, mornings scribbling thoughts into a journal. These little joys became my anchor, even as the year began throwing curveballs I didn’t see coming.

Some seasons felt like walking through a fog, especially in the early months. Challenges seemed to stack up—financial stress, uncertainties about the future, and questions I didn’t have answers for. There were nights when my prayers felt more like cries for clarity than conversations. But even in those moments, I could sense God’s hand at work, gently guiding me toward something I couldn’t yet see.

By summer, the fog started to lift, but not without its surprises. A move wasn’t in our plans—not by a long shot. We were settled, or so I thought. Yet, piece by piece, it became clear that God was closing one chapter to start another. And as reluctant as I was to let go, this move—this upheaval—became one of the biggest blessings of the year.

We landed in a home we’d prayed for—a place with room for the kids to grow, a yard where they could run freely, and a slower pace of life we didn’t realize we needed. What started as a season of stretching turned into a season of settling, and with it came peace.

This year wasn’t just centered around the move, though. A large part of it was leaning into what matters most. I dove into my love for reading and writing, finishing 136 books (and counting!). I learned to loosen my grip on plans and instead asked, “Lord, what do You want for this season?” And even more than the year before, it crystallized to me that life is not just a series of achievements but a journey of growth—in faith, in family, in community.

It was nowhere near all highs. I walked through some valleys that tested my resilience and experienced some moments that stretched my patience. I pulled myself out of what felt like a mental and spiritual rut in the summer—a time when even prayer felt heavy. But through it all, God’s faithfulness was steady. He showed me that even in the waiting, the unknown, and the messiness, He is there, weaving it all together for my good and His glory.

As I look ahead to 2025, I’m holding this lesson close: I don’t need to have it all figured out. I don’t need to map out every detail or rush into resolutions. Instead, I want to focus on living a full, abundant life—a life rooted in faith, family, and the things that bring me joy.

This year was far from perfect, but it was rich in lessons, blessings, and growth. And for that, I am grateful.

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