As I ponder the loss of my pre-pandemic way of life, I feel the need to draw closer to the Lord by taking time out of each day to listen to His Word and learn of Him all over again. As I set aside more time for God, He is undoubtedly drawing closer to me as I draw closer to Him. Consequently, I look forward to experiencing more and more of His goodness and mercy. 

As we close out 2023, having experienced various trials and tribulations over the last year in our Nation and the world, I’ve gained an even greater awareness of who God is and what He offers us. The Lord’s protection is available to anyone willing to receive it, as described in Psalm 91. The Lord has given me countless promises that speak of His willingness to sustain me in difficult times if I’m willing to call on Him and trust that everything He has said in His Word is true and available to me just for the asking. As I cleave to God’s promises, He undergirds my life, my hopes, and my dreams with His perfectly unmatched power and provision so that I can experience the best of outcomes, even in the worst of times.

Although I’ve experienced some losses over the past few years, I’ve also experienced some gains, and I choose to focus on the gains. Today, I’m able to persevere through life’s challenges with confidence, knowing that I’m still kept by God.