This year has been one of growth—a year of stretching, healing, and learning. It hasn’t been easy. There have been tough lows, deep heartaches, and difficult conversations. Yet, as I reflect, I see how those moments served a purpose. Hard conversations can lead to better relationships and new starting points. The struggles have revealed both my weaknesses and my strengths, shining a light on areas where I need to change, improve, and seek help.
God has used this year to stretch me in ways I didn’t desire but perhaps needed. I’ve had to step back and wait in some areas, allowing time for healing. Letting go of hurts and surrendering them to God is never easy, but it is freeing. Life is a blend of ups and downs, wonderful memories, cherished people, and unexpected lessons. Slowly, I’m learning to be more real and vulnerable, trusting that even the hard moments are part of His greater plan.
Interestingly, going through difficulties often enables us to connect with others in their struggles. It’s harder to show empathy when life is easy. Challenges open our eyes to the needs around us and remind us of how deeply God’s love sustains us.
God has been so good to me, even in the storms. He listens to my doubts and fears. He has calmed my heart when it felt overwhelmed, held me in my loneliness, and provided peace when situations were beyond my control. His provision has been a lifeline when hope seemed distant, and His love has remained constant despite my shortcomings and failures.
This year, I’ve felt more like a lump of clay than ever before—undone, raw, and waiting for His hand to shape me. Clay, in its unrefined state, isn’t pretty. It’s dirty, lumpy, and far from finished. But I know that He is creating something beautiful through the refining process. The squishing, squeezing, and reshaping isn’t always enjoyable, but it is necessary.
I’m reminded that God is the Potter, and we are His clay. He can take what is broken, reshape it, and mold it for His purposes and glory. But this requires a willing, pliable heart. If we harden ourselves in sin or resist His shaping, we risk becoming vessels of destruction. I don’t want that—I want to be shaped for good, to reflect His glory.
The scriptures illustrate this so clearly:
Jeremiah 18:5-9 “Then the word of the Lord came to me: ‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done?’ declares the Lord. ‘Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it.’”
Romans 9:20-22 “Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.”
As we walk into the coming year, may we trust the hands of the Potter, embracing His work in our lives. The process may be messy, but the outcome will be a vessel ready to reflect His glory.
The new year brings exciting changes for Derick and me. After many years of faithful service to God and our church family, our pastors are retiring. Their dedication and love have left a lasting impact, and we are so grateful for their leadership.
Through God’s grace, Derick was just elected to be the new pastor of our church. This is an incredible opportunity to follow God’s leading and calling in our lives, and we are beyond excited to step into this role. But if I’m honest, I’m also a little terrified. Stepping into something new often comes with its share of uncertainty and fear, but we trust that God will guide us each step of the way.
As I think about the year ahead, I’ve been reflecting on what word to carry into this season. The word that keeps coming to mind is expectancy. I want to approach this year with a heart full of faith, eagerly anticipating how God will move in our lives and our church.
We are looking forward to seeing the plans He has for us and the work He will do in and through our church family. Please pray for us as we take this next step, trusting in His guidance and grace every step of the way.