As many/most of you know from posts through the years, every November/December I ask God to give me a word and accompanying verse for the year ahead.
For 2025, the word God gave me was REDEEMED. God was preparing me but I didn’t know it. It seemed more past tense than future tense.
It turned out, God meant to redeem some ashes in my life, turning them to beauty (Is 61:3). I won’t go into detail. Not necessary. I don’t know anyone who lives for long without bearing scars from the journey. So I assume you can understand even without details.
All I will say is that, as difficult as things were for many months of 2025, I saw God redeeming what the locust had eaten (Joel 2:25). He placed some amazing people into my life and He put some amazing books into my hands, and His amazing grace has been in play as He’s healed corners of my heart.
God is so good.
As I asked Him for a word for 2026, the answer came quickly. GRATITUDE. That made sense to me. I have so much to be grateful for. What I didn’t expect was a verse that didn’t include the word gratitude in it: the 23rd Psalm. But understanding followed. As I looked at verses, I saw so many reasons to feel grateful.
The LORD is my shepherd
That alone fills my heart with so much joy. I am thankful that He is leading and guiding me, day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year.
I have everything I need
I am so grateful for His provision. In His wisdom, He gives me exactly what I need, even when I think I might need something else.
He restores my soul
How very grateful I am for His restoration, in my life and in all things.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
Thank You, Father. Even when I’m surrounded by enemies, You are right here with me. I cannot thank You enough.
My cup overflows
Yes, yes, yes. I’m overwhelmed by His love.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever
His goodness is with me always, and I am so grateful for eternity with Him, an eternity that started the day I accepted Him as my Savior.
Life is hard. God is good. And because He is good, I have all the cause I need to be grateful.
I pray you all have a very merry Christmas. The next time I post, it will be 2026. So I’m wishing you a Happy New Year as well.
~robin
P.S. With Christmas fast approaching, I shared with my readers recently about how the mental picture many have of the nativity story (Mary riding into Bethlehem on a donkey, Mary and Joseph being turned away by an innkeeper, etc.) are probably rather inaccurate. If you would like to read that post, along with the lost opening of my biblical novel, Star of Wonder, click on over to the post here.
Robin Lee Hatcher
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Wonderful post, Robin, that honors our generous and loving Heavenly Father. I’m so grateful we’re on this journey together and am praying 2026 holds abundant blessings for you. 🤍
Thanks, Tammy. I’m so very thankful for my sisters in Christ, walking this journey together (as you said). What a blessing.
Robin, I’m so thankful for God’s work in your life and that gratitude can mark the coming year for you. May it be so for all of us. God is good and we have so much to be thankful for. Blessings to you, friend.
Thanks, Deb. You are definitely among the friends I am so grateful for.
What a beautiful post, Robin! I’m so glad to hear you’re sensing God’s blessing and healing in ways that are meaningful to you. I love that word: Gratitude! What a hopeful and good focus for 2026. Thank you for leading our writing sprints. I’ve been focused on Christmas and ministry and family this month, but I will be back soon. I appreciate your faithful example to us all! Love and Merry Christmas, Carrie
Thanks so much, Carrie. I must say I miss your sweet face when you don’t make the sprints. God bless you, my sister.
I love all the things to be grateful for in Psalm 23! What a joy to hear of the Lord’s continuing redemption! What an encouragment that is to us all!
Amen. Thanks, D’Ann.
“Life is hard. God is good. And because He is good, I have all the cause I need to be grateful.” AMEN!!! Merry Christmas and happy new year, Robin!
Merry Christmas, Becky.
I love your focus on gratitude for 2026, Robin, and your beautiful words of hope. How we all need a heart that fosters thanksgiving. Counting our blessings instead of our troubles lightens the load tremendously. If the only thing the Lord ever did for me was send Jesus to pay the price for my sin, that would be enough to warrant my eternal devotion. Yet, he is so good, he blesses me every single day – with his presence, his people, and his provision. May I have eyes to see the Shepherd’s goodness and faith to follow where he leads every day.
Amen, Karen. And your comment reminded me of the beautiful scene is Season 5 of The Chosen when the women are with Jesus do their own version of the Doyenu (it would have been enough). It makes me cry every time. Because His death and resurrection on my behalf is certainly enough. Merry Christmas.
I love that scene!