Goodbye 2025

The year ends and I’m grateful for the release— 

Letting it go as the sparks and stars fly. 

Emotions linger: rejection, competency, canceled plans. 

Winter’s darkness mirrors the heart and mind. 

Did we place Christmas in December 

Out of desperation? 

Or is it redemption from midnight?

Does the hurt from friends and family always

Rock the nervous system?

The year’s grief and anger

Weighs heavy. 

Even through apologies, forgiveness, restoration

We carry wounds and scars. 

Questioning if someone will stay. 

Lack of answers to our greatest desires. 

Looming anger that holds back tears.

Depth of loss that hardens the heart. 

I know His mercies are new every morning.

But God, I’m desperate that you show Your faithfulness. 

It’s hard to find in the bleak mid-winter.

The light needs to be bigger somehow—

Either in my heart or in the tangible sun’s rays—

Bigger to carry me to December 31, 2026. 

Still scared to wake to a new day,

Even with redemption around me. 

The heart longs for peace, settledness, calm, 

But only embraces guilt, wounds, memories, explosions, triggers. 

Teasing away at my identity, 

Consciously removing the foundation’s level

Even as I build the next. 

God, be my Cornerstone, 

The Perfect Builder and Carpenter. 

Be my Rock of Ages. 

Because all other ground is sinking sand. 

Let the scars of 2025 transform into grace

That bridges 2026:

Echoing beauty for ashes. 

The explosions of sound paint stars in the night sky. 

May this celebration strengthen the feet of joy

As it walks through New Year’s door. 

11:59 holding God’s hand. 

We mourn. Sing. Celebrate.

Step through again,

Even as the tears fall. 

12:00 starting again. 

We cross the threshold

Tethered to the One whose grace brought us this far

And will carry us home. 

It is finished. 

Onward, Christian soldiers. 

Further up and further in. 

Forgetting what lies behind. 

Pressing toward His calling. 

Soli Deo Gloria