2025 was a hard year. Frankly, the year before wasn’t much better. As 2025 ended, it occurred to me that there is no guarantee 2026 will be an improvement. How is that for good news! 

Admittedly, it could be better OR it could be worse. Circumstances change. Busyness ebbs and flows. Hard times, good times, and the mundane moments are often intertwined. Our lives are caught in their currents. We must go where the circumstances take us. A graveside. A graduation. A grocery store. Yet, in the middle of these changing tides, because of who we are in Christ, we need not remain there. We can continue in peace and joy, standing strong even if in tears. 

All is under our Lord’s sovereign control and we are in His good hands. I think of that as I reflect on the changes the few weeks this year has already brought to our church body and my own life. From the loss of loved ones and ailing relatives, to weddings, family and home additions. 2026 will likely include more illnesses, losses and deaths as well as more salvations, births and celebrations. More reasons to laugh and cry. It’s not all bad. It’s not all good. It’s just all different. 

God has ordained lives filled with these variances, but He never ordained that we do it alone: As long as I keep my hope in and heart on Him, I am not overcome by the bad nor am I trusting in any good that’s not Him. My trust is reserved for His faithfulness and character alone. I lean on and cling to the always overcoming, and wonderfully overwhelming goodness of God. It is abundant living. No matter what 2026 brings, in Him all is well. Thanks be to God!