Sometimes I need to be reminded. I’m not talking so much about reminders not to forget a date on my calendar, although I need those reminders. Instead, it’s those reminders to reflect on the goodness of the goodbyes and the anticipation of the hellos yet to come. As we say goodbye to another year, may we see the good in both the goodbyes and hellos. The goodbyes may represent letting go or saying “so long” to a season. The hellos may be the warm welcome of a brand new season or being brave to step out into something different.

As I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts by Emily P. Freeman, she mentioned something that caused me to pause and think of entering a new year differently. After Christmas and before New Year’s, I anticipate what’s ahead. Emily encouraged her listeners to think back not to the entire year but to where they were last December. Whether you remember or not, does something stand out?

I paused and thought back to last December. While I can’t remember all the details, I can recall moments of growth. My moments from a year ago are not in a shiny, perfect gift box. There were the valley’s challenging moments and the mountaintop joys, both bringing growth that I understand much better now than last December. I had to say some goodbyes, but I also said hello to a newfound identity in who I am, a beloved daughter of Christ, capable and braver than I once knew.

How about you? Can you picture where you were last December? Did you say goodbye to something? Or maybe you said hello to something brand new?

Goodbyes are easy for some and hard for others. Maybe you are rushing to say goodbye to a difficult season of life, ready for the fresh start of a new year. Or perhaps you’re not ready to say goodbye. Where ever you’re at, Jesus brings you hope.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:1-4

Jesus will tell you. As you trust in Him, He will lead you in handling the goodbyes with grace and help you not to rush to the anticipation of something new. Immanuel, God with us. Jesus came for you. He’s right there with you as you say goodbye to another year and say hello to the start of a new year.

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means, “God with us.”

Matthew 1: 23

Thinking back to where you were last December, God was with you, whether you were low in the valley or high on a mountaintop. He is with you now, too, forever and always. His promises always remain true in all of your goodbyes and hellos.

As I say goodbye to another year, I thank God for His love, grace, and growth. It’s not a perfectly wrapped gift with a shiny bow, but it’s beautiful, imperfections and all.

As I anticipate a new year, I am excited to say hello to whatever God has in store. And speaking of hellos, here is something new, an intro video from me to you of some new things to come in the new year.