February 7, 2020
Let’s Welcome the New Year with Hope
Holley Gerth
Today’s Truth
The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever (Psalm 121:8, CSB).
Friend to Friend
The airport is crowded this morning. As I wait for my flight, I watch the parade of people. Disgruntled teenagers with caps pulled down over their eyes trailing behind determined parents. Bright-eyed couples holding hands with the honeymoon sun still on their faces. A group of grey-headed ladies in pink matching t-shirts laughing and exchanging stories while they sip coffee. I wonder about all of them. Where have they come from? Where are they going?
I realize all over again in that moment God knows the answers. He sees every detail of our lives. He’s been with us in every step we’ve ever taken. And as we welcome a new year, this reassures me because none of us knows what’s ahead. There are certain to be blessings and moments of happiness. There will also be hard days and tears shed. Some parts of our lives will stay much the same and others, like it or not, will inevitably change.
A blond little girl in pigtails walks by with a stuffed brown bear in her arms. Seeing her reminds me of the first time I flew by myself. I was only five years old when I marched up to the ticket counter with a little red suitcase in hand to tell the amused airline employee the plane needed to come so I could go see my Grandma. My parents observed from close by and made sure every bit of the trip was in order. These days I carry a leopard print laptop bag, and I’ve flown away from my comfort zone many times. But on the inside, that younger self and I still have much in common. We want to know we’re safe, we’re loved.
We’re going to be okay. That’s what gives us the courage to pick up our bag and go.
Psalm 121:8 is mysterious to me because difficult things happen, people get sick, and life doesn’t always work out the way I planned. But even if I don’t understand them fully, these words offer hope because it means whatever may transpire, God is still taking caring of me.
We may not know what is ahead of us, but we can be absolutely certain of Who is with us. We are not random passengers, nameless and unknown in the crowd of humanity. We are beloved children of the God who breathed life into our lungs and who numbers every hair on our heads. So let’s go boldly into in a new year with the confidence that all things are possible and, in the end, all will be well.
Let’s Pray
God, thank You for being with me through this holiday season and into the new year. I’m so grateful You are my hope and help. You will give me everything I need for whatever is ahead. I choose to trust and believe that You have good plans for me. You are with me, for me, and working out Your purposes in my life today and always. With You, the best is yet to be. I love You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
How would your year look different if you entrusted it to God? Journal your thoughts today and spend time in prayer, inviting Him to lead you in 2020.
More from the Girlfriends
Holley Gerth is a bestselling author, encourager and life coach who loves empowering women to embrace who they are and become all God created them to be. Her very first Online Bible Study starts this January -- and it’s free! Click here to learn more or join the Study.
