Reflecting on 2024: Lessons, Promises, and New Year’s Resolutions

Today I thought I would talk about Bigfoot, pushing a string and leadership but I will put that off to next Tuesday because I have something else on my mind today.

The turning of the year always leads us to make a resolution on the 1 st that we totally forget by the end of January. So let’s put some thought to it.

Reflect Before You Resolve

But how about reflecting back before we move forward? I will give you a quick recap. You might want to start with your recap also.

I started the year discovering that I had a serious heart condition that I didn’t know I had. I had a complicated open heart surgery and twelve weeks of cardio therapy after that. Two days after I got out of the hospital my oldest nephew passed away unexpectedly. He was only two years younger than me and he was more like a brother than a nephew and my wonderful sister has been more like a mom than a sister. Just listening to her as we talked was heartbreaking for me— but that is all I could do for her— just listen.

But on the 20th of this Month my son Nolan and his wife Callie had their first child. My grand daughter Chandler was born!! What a gift!!!

God’s Promise in All Things

Yes 2024 was filled with ups and downs- darkness and light. But the one thing that I have learned is that God works in all things. One of my greatest blessings in life was going through a two year battle with cancer twelve years ago.

I focused on a promise back then.Perhaps you have heard it— it is Romans 8:28. It may be the most all encompassing promise in the Bible. God works in all things . He is always working behind the scenes on our behalf . Not everything that happens to us is good but God can use everything that happens to us for good in his long term plan and by his overuling grace. As we close out this year let’s remind ourselves of this great promise and trust Him that he can make treasure out of various and sundry components.

And as we look forward to 2025 let’s apply His promise to anything that we are carrying over to 2025. Let’s take courage. God will work it all out for good .

The turning of the year reminds us that time is fleeting, the past is unalterable, the future is uncertain, but our God is unchanging.

Six Thoughts for the New Year

Here are six thoughts as I prepare to make my New Year’s resolution.

• It is possible to do anything that God commands us to do. Don’t say I can’t. For example— forgive because if we forgive it will give power to us.

• God can change anyone. Believe the best in every person. Too much of the opposite behavior is going on in today’s world! Too many leaders make snap decisions about followers and too.

• Many followers make snap decisions about leaders.

• Believe that ANY circumstance can change.

• Believe that any mistake that we make God can change. Failure is part of every success.

• Really believe that everything is in Gods hands— don’t just say it.

Go to the throne not the phone when you have a problem. When I had cancer my research showed that I had a small chance of survival.

Looking Ahead with Faith and Courage

Now— let’s make our resolutions.

I promise that I will start off the year with leadership— and pushing a string— and big foot.