As the year quietly draws to a close and a new one waits to begin, I’ve found myself doing what so many of us do in these in-between days — pausing to look back.

And almost on cue, Facebook’s Memories began appearing — unannounced — a photograph, a few words, a moment long tucked away. Each one a gentle reminder of how much can change, and how swiftly life moves while we’re busy living it.

Some memories made me smile. Some brought tears. Some stopped me long enough to take a deep breath and quietly say, “Thank you, God, for carrying me through that.”

They reminded me of people I love — some still here, some now living in heaven, and some who have simply moved on into different chapters of their lives. They brought back milestones celebrated, seasons survived, and moments when I wasn’t sure how things would turn out — yet somehow, they did because they always do.

They also took me back to times when we spoke up, shared truths, and were told we were wrong, dramatic, or even crazy. And yet here we are — watching those very things unfold just as we said they would. Not with pride, but with a deeper understanding that truth always has its day.

Other memories returned me to seasons I didn’t think I’d make it through — when the road felt heavy, uncertain, and lonely. And yet… here I am. Still standing. Still growing. And I believe I’m stronger, wiser, and more grateful than I was before.

New Year reflections have a way of reminding us just how quickly life moves.

One moment we’re posting pictures of newborn babies and grand babies — and the next, they’re driving, graduating from high school, and stepping into lives of their own. It all feels like it happened in the blink of an eye.

And yes, some of us look a little different now. A little older. A little softer. A little grayer. That’s okay. Every season leaves its mark, and each one tells part of the story of a life being lived.

We can all agree — we won’t be 20 again. Or 40 again.
But we are still here. And that, in itself, is a gift. We are alive, breathing, and not finished yet.

A Gentle Reminder as the Year Turns

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”

“Remember ye not the former things… behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth.”

God doesn’t ask us to forget where we’ve been.
He simply asks us not to live there — or get stuck there.

Memories are meant to bless us, not bind us. Reflection is healthy — but only when it leads us forward, not when it holds us back.

So my hope for our friends who follow us at Eye is this:

Be at peace in the season of life you’re in right now.

Welcome it. Learn from it. Let it shape you. And trust that even the hard seasons have purpose — whether they become a lesson, a testimony, or the very thing that prepares you for what’s next.

And my wish for you in 2026 is simple:

• Carry the memories that blessed you into the new year
• Release the ones that weigh you down
• Walk forward into 2026 knowing that God has your back

As for me, I’m stepping into this new year grateful for where I’ve been, at peace with where I am, and trusting God completely with what comes next. He has never failed me once and He will not stop now. He’s too loving to stop loving me.

Drive on into this new year and go make some incredibly awesome memories!

Happy New Year!