Category: God’s Faithfulness

2024 was a hard year as my family walked alongside hurting loved ones. 2025 was worse. More loved ones struggled. Two left this earth. Unimaginable hardships. Sharp dips in my own health.

This led to reduced Christmas activities. One exception? We sang more, and we’re still singing.

Another exception? I sent over one hundred Christmas cards. I haven’t sent cards since 2020. One result? A phone call from a faraway high school friend I hadn’t spoken with in decades. She wanted to hear my voice. We talked from 8:00 pm that Saturday night until 1:38 am the next morning.

On January 2nd, my husband, son, and I sang Auld Lang Syne—translated days gone by in standard English. It was a first. Our holiday songbooks are usually packed away before January. Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song. The first line means for the sake of old times. 

2024 and 2025 were years of Auld Lang Syne. Because of our shared history—for the sake of old times—we connected with and walked alongside dear ones we hadn’t seen much or recently.

We’ll take a cup of kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne.

I’m angry that happened to you. I’m angry for you.

I was comforted by those words after someone asked for a favor and then used that favor to steal from me. I told a friend, “Sometimes we need to be angry on someone’s behalf.”

“Is that always a good idea she questioned?” I thought so until I read Gentle and Lowly.

As you consider those who have wronged you, let Jesus be angry on your behalf. His anger can be trusted.

Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund

Wow! And it’s true. My experience proves that. As I look back, I can recount how God has defended me and not let the wrongdoers prosper—although it may take decades to see the judgement.

I’ve thought about and blogged on this quote before. (See here.) I bring it up again, because the holidays are a time to be blessed and a time to be hurt and a time to let Jesus be angry on your behalf.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it only tends to evil. Psalm 37:8 (ESV)

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.

Numbers 23:19a (ESV)

These days, what I’m learning along the way is a deeper appreciation of God’s attributes. (See here and here.)

I spent too much time around a couple of liars. Charming little liars who can tell lies that seem plausible. They’ve not only kept me guessing which course to take but have also convinced others to take the wrong course. Troubled has abounded.

Of course, God doesn’t keep me guessing if he is telling the truth or convince me to take the wrong course. I’ve known that so long that I take God’s truthfulness for granted. However, as I experienced the opposite too many times for too many days, my appreciation for God’s character was awakened and deepened.

As my concern and frustration were laughed off—apparently, telling lies is an innocent, routine way of having fun—I also appreciated that God takes truth seriously.

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22 (ESV)