A New thing.

At the start of every year, I plan to hear the shot of a starting pistol and burst off the blocks running. I have always been that kind of person. Set a goal- look for the steps- work the plan. When I hit a snag, I'm the first person to start singing Dori's song from Finding Nemo "just keep swimming, just keep swimming"... sorry for the mixed metaphor, but it's true. I believe in forward momentum. I believe in creatively failing forward, in trying something new, in working toward something. And when (like this year) I struggle to see the path forward, I lean on verses like this one:

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” ~Isaiah 43:19

To be honest, sometimes I have to be reminded to look! Sometimes, I need the voice of my father to remind me that HE is the one doing the new thing! And, as always, He is thrilled to have me by his side as he does it.

I'm reminded of a time when I was about 12 years old, and my dad was fixing a car. I don't remember what was wrong with the car even though I am sure he told me. What I do remember is that my dad handed me a flashlight and showed me where to shine it as he worked the repairs. I am completely confident that he could have finished his work without me. On many occations I have seen that small flashlight held between his teeth, but he handed it to me so I could be with him! I didnt need to know every single step in the process. I didn't even really need to know the names of all the parts. My job was to look over my dad's shoulder, watch what he was working on, learn as much as I could, and SHINE A LIGHT ON IT!

As I look into 2026, tiny flashlight in hand...God is challenging me to SEE the new thing. I paraphrase {SEE- can't you SEE what I'm doing right NOW? It is springing up all around you! LOOK! I'm subduing the chaos. I'm healing the hard places". And there is nothing I'd rather be a part of... Nothing I'd rather shine a light on.

My prayer, weather we are bursting out of the starting blocks or just trying to maintain a steady march... or maybe we are struggling to get out of the bed... is this- Help us SEE, Lord! Show us the new thing, the way in the wilderness, the streams in the wasteland! Draw us into deeper relationship with you, so that we can clearly hear your Holy Spirit's voice say "shine your light HERE". ~amen

I'm using CarePortal to show me where to participate in the work my Father is doing. When he asks for something in my hand, I want to be ready to give it! If you are looking for ways to serve in your community, ways to be with the Lord as He makes a way for struggling families... check out our OPEN REQUESTS HERE and SEE what God is going first hand!!!

Posting this accompanying Prayer Practice alongside this post as well, just in case you are interested in Praying dynamically with our prayer team. We are praying through this verse several times- each time emphasizing a different word or phrase. We are listening closely to what the Lord might teach us through EACH emphasized part:

SEE, I am doing a new thing!

See, I am doing a new thing!

See, I AM doing a new thing!

See, I am DOING a new thing!

See, I am doing A NEW THING!