Noticing God’s Movement: A Gentle New Year’s Reflection

Hey, my friend. As we step into a new year, there’s often this pressure to decide things—to name goals, pick a word, figure out what’s next. And while I love to do those things and have been doing those things, today, I want to offer something slower.

Today, I want us to slow down and notice. To pause long enough to hear what’s already been trying to get our attention.

So grab a journal and pen, and pause to answer some questions as I lead you through a gentle New Year’s reflection. Okay, are you ready?

Reflecting on the Past Year

Before we rush into the new year, it can be helpful to gently look back. Not to rehash everything. Not to evaluate how we did. Just to notice.

Here are three questions you can start with:

• What moments from this past year come to mind without effort?
• What stands out—not because it was big, but because it stayed with me?
• What surprised me about this year?

As you reflect, notice what feels steady… and what feels tender. There’s no need to explain either one.

How God Met You

As those memories surface, you might also reflect on God’s presence throughout the year. You can do that with questions like these:

• When did I feel most aware of God’s nearness?
• When did things feel quieter, confusing, or unresolved?
• Were there prayers that changed over time?
• Were there questions I carried longer than I expected?

Sometimes we don’t realize how much we’ve been holding spiritually until we pause long enough to notice.

And it’s okay if your answers aren’t neat. God doesn’t mind messy. He just wants you to be honest.

The Cost and the Care

As you continue reflecting, you may begin to notice the cost of things. Not just losses, but effort. Endurance. Faithfulness that no one else saw.

You might gently ask:

• What required more energy than I realized?
• What am I still tired from?
• Where did I keep going, even when it was hard?

Now, if any of that stirs emotion, that’s not a problem. Please don’t see it that way. Instead, see it as information. When you paying attention to what cost you something, that is an act of care. You’re counting the cost and being a good steward of what God has given you.

What Lingered

And now, as we come a little closer to the present moment, you might ask questions like these:

• What is following me into this new year?
• What still has my attention when things get quiet?
• What feels unfinished—not in a bad way, just in an honest one?

You don’t need to decide what to do with any of it. Just notice. Sometimes simply acknowledging, “This still matters,” is enough for now.

What You Want to Carry Forward

Before we move on, I also want to make space for what you do want to bring with you. Reflection isn’t only about what’s heavy; it’s also about what steadied you.

You might ask:

• What helped me stay grounded this year?
• What practices, rhythms, or truths do I want to protect?
• What do I want to remember when things feel uncertain again?

Let yourself notice what feels life-giving, nourishing, good.

As you sit with these questions, you might offer a simple prayer: God, help me notice what matters right now. Help me see what You see—without rushing ahead.

A Free Journaling Guide

For some of you, this kind of reflection like we’ve done today feels easier when there’s a little structure—something that helps you stay present without spiraling or trying to solve everything at once.

That’s why I created a gentle reflection guide called Is This Still Affecting Me?

It’s not a test. It’s not about diagnosing anything. It’s simply a companion to help you notice—especially if something from the past year still feels tender or unresolved and you’re not quite sure how to approach it.

You can find it at lovedoesthat.org/stillaffecting if that feels like a good fit for you right now.

And if it doesn’t, that’s okay. This moment of reflection you’re practicing here still matters.

Prayer

God, thank You for meeting us in awareness, not urgency. Help us notice what we’re carrying—with honesty, compassion, and trust. Stay near as we listen, as we reflect, and as we step gently into what’s next. We trust You with what we notice today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

RELATED EPISODES:

• Episode 131: Healing in Layers: What Art Taught Me About Grief
• Episode 65: Learn to Linger with What Provokes You
• Episode 149: What Are You Feeling Possessive Of?

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