January

Of all the months, January holds the most distinct position of announcing big change. It leads us into the new year and is keeper of all those well-intentioned resolutions. January reminds us that as each year passes, we grow a little older and perhaps a little wiser. Winter may officially come in December, yet where I live, January also harbors some of the coldest weather we endure. Sure it’s just a month with nothing more magical than it’s orderly place in the rotation, but in many ways January can set the tone for where our focus lies throughout much of the year.

For me personally, January also holds memories of significant life events that have masterfully created the person I am today. It was in January, 2018, that my last romantic relationship ended and I chose to stop dating, upon the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I’ve mentioned before how difficult that season was for me. As heartbreaking as the loss of my relationship was, it was the ripple of smaller changes outside of that initial impact that brought about the greatest emotional battles. That one event was the catalyst for the painful process of healing and reformation that had been a long-time waiting, but God was intent upon bringing me into submission and service, and he used that harsh season to get me there.

A year later in January, 2019, my first foster placements arrived; two pint-sized humans bearing nothing but a smile, yet bringing even more challenges and frustrations, and another year of God-inspired growth. Just when things began to fall into order, the littlest miss joined us and in January, 2021, it became more certain that she would remain long term, bringing me to a total of five children, which coincidentally is the number of children I used to say I wanted, years ago, before I knew of my lacking fertility.

As I write this on January 1, 2022, I find myself pondering what might be coming next. What will 2022 hold for me and my hodgepodge little clan?What new adventures will God have in store? What additional growth will he see me through? This life is scary and uncertain, but like King David recognized, even in the most difficult times, even in the midst of consequences we have brought upon ourselves, there is mercy found in the hands of God, that we may find no where else.

David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”

1 Chronicles 21:13 NIV

May each of you find God anew this New Year’s and in the months to come, as you navigate this ever-changing and complicated world. May he bless your efforts and patiently guide you into the unknowns. Happy New Year to each of you!