31 Days to the End of 2025

Dear Diary.

Today is 30th November 2025, and I have thought through 2025 more times than I care to admit.

It has been a rich year: rich in experiences, good and bad news and everything in between.

Some days took the wind out of me, and some felt like I had won the lottery three times in a row.

I welcomed new people into my life this year. I immediately discerned misalignment in some and exited gracefully in good time. For others, I sat on the seat longer than I ought to have, but as soon as I gathered myself up, I got up and left, too. I came to learn that the newness of something does not mean that it needs to stay long before it is discernible as healthy or unhealthy. 'New' does not always remain, and that is okay. Some older relationships could not make it through winter. This hurt deeply. But I understood that times and seasons serve their purpose. My part in their story and their part in mine was over, and that too is okay. I grieved what could have been and rejoiced in what I was blessed with while it was there. There is a time for everything under the sun. A time to say 'hello' and a time to say 'goodbye'.

(Dealing with people is immense bliss or painful torment, or both, depending on the who and what.)

I have seen the absolute best from the world as regards innovation in my lifetime, and I have seen terrible brutality from humans against each other. May the Lord help us!

I have ticked some things on my bucket list, yet some things have been hanging unticked for a while. I am working on those things, and I commit myself to them.

I took up the challenge of growing in self-awareness this year. I have had to tackle some undesirable things in regards to my character head-on, without giving excuses. I have also had to learn to speak to myself more lovingly. What a humbling journey!

I allowed myself to be helped this year. I allowed people to see the me who breaks when under much pressure. The me who is tender and delicate. The me who needs to be held. Ah, I have seen the power of a good support system. One thing, though, is that I failed to consider that the true test of a good support system is pain. Friend, hardship will reveal the weight of your support structures. I am grateful to God for a solid team behind me because this life cannot be handled single-handedly!

I have suffered some terrible setbacks in 2025. Those that can easily take you out if not for God's grace. There are some that I look back to and see the hand of God strongly. God is kind! But I have also seen great wins for myself. Wins I could not have achieved without the help of God. Again, God is kind!

I have travelled this year and seen the wonders of God's creation, and on some days, I have been a homebody, preferring to stay home.

I have been challenged by surplus and by lack in equal measure. Both extremes are scary. In all scenarios, I recommend asking Jesus to keep you from falling.

I have seen the power of prayer and stubborn faith in Jesus. I have seen Him work miracles. I have seen God do things that take years in minutes. I have also seen Him teach me patience in things my heart has ached for. I have battled difficult matters in the place of prayer. In all these experiences, I have come to appreciate the love of God as my Father. That He desires me whole and complete, lacking in nothing. So the training (in the school of the Spirit) will never miss a few hurdles.

In all things and in all circumstances, I give thanks to God for keeping me alive to see December 2025. Even in the craziest of times this year, God has remained unchanged and unshaken. A true pillar of my life. I am honoured that He would keep me here. There is work that I need to do for Him, and so I must continue to work while it is day!

I do not know how your year has been, but my prayer is that you may enter into December hopeful, thankful and joyful. Whether you have seen the best or the worst that a year can give, I commend you to our Lord Jesus Christ, the sustainer of our faith.

There is no failure in Christ Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And He is always with you. Amen.

Have an enriching December ❤️

With much love,

W.