I have four pieces of paper taped to my bedroom door. Before I face the day, I come face-to-face with a calendar from 2016. Each month featured Scripture verses that were beautifully lettered, and I turned them into a short statement I repeat as I reach for the doorknob and begin the day. It goes like this:
“I can trust everything He does, for He goes before me and behind. I am merely a moving shadow, and all my busy rushing ends in nothing. My only hope is found in Him.”
I said it this morning. I’ll say it again tomorrow. Through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, those words of truth have been a constant and a comfort.
When I don’t understand and I can’t see what’s coming next, I can trust everything He does. When I feel unsure and alone, He goes before me and behind. When I’m overwhelmed, He gently reminds that it’s my heart that He wants, not my performance or a completed to-do list. When I’m worn out or searching for a light in the darkness, He is my hope.
As we look toward a new year, I’ve found myself pausing each morning and swallowing back the lump in my throat as I whisper, “He goes before me and behind.”
I desperately need that to be true. I need to believe that He’s making a way and clearing a path. I need to believe that He’s redeeming all things for good, even when I can’t see it just yet. I need to believe that He’ll be with me no matter what tomorrow may bring.
December will fade into January, and we’ll put the ornaments away as the year wraps up. We’ll look toward the future with hope or fear or a mix of the two. After all, seasons change and jobs shift. We pack houses and close our books after finals end. We say difficult goodbyes and joyful hellos and eventually winter will turn to spring as change comes again. But through all of it, He remains. His love is constant, sure, secure — unchanging.
He didn’t stay in the manger and He didn’t stay in the grave, but He did promise to be with us through every high and low. He is Emmanuel, the God who comes and stays and isn’t confined to a calendar page.
When winter melts into spring and the places that seemed barren and empty suddenly explode with life and joy, Emmanuel, God with us.
When the days stretch endlessly on and the sun beats down and it all seems like one long cycle of wash-rinse-repeat, Emmanuel, God with us.
When the leaves fall and our tears fall and everything around falls apart, Emmanuel, God with us.
When hope is buried deep and yet all is washed clean as the world quiets and learns to wait with anticipation, Emmanuel, God with us.
Bitter and sweet, laughter and mourning, darkness and light, dead ends and new beginnings and messy middles full of ordinary days — in all of it, there He is, faithful as always.
He is the way-maker and the promise-keeper. Although we may not know what’s coming our way and though 2021 may hold more questions than answers, we can trust that He’ll be with us through every change.
Look before you, He is making a way. Look behind you, He has been there the whole time. Look to your right and to your left, He is with you now.
May we dare to say that He is beautiful and true, loving and kind, no matter what story the next page may tell. May we trust the unknown of the future to the God we know is authoring its pages.
Here’s to new beginnings, fresh mercies, a blank page, and an unchanging God.
This post was written by Kaitlyn Bouchillon in December 2018 and was edited for today.
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Martha says
Love this so much! I will be flagging it to refer back to.
Beautifully written & so full of truth & encouragement.
Gail says
Thank you for this beautiful reminder. I will write these words out and meditate on them as this new year dawns.
Jen says
Thank you, exactly the words I needed today and as we start a new year. I will be making this one of my intentions for the year.
Katie Poe says
Thank You! I needed this so much! I plan to post it so I can see it every day!
Shirleyann says
Beautiful! Exactly what I needed to hear this morning! Thank you!
Rita says
I love this!! Thanks!
Marilyn says
I have always loved the first of the year as it was a time for renewal, do-overs, and recommitments. I loved the post! It was exactly what I needed this morning. Fresh Beginnings are always something to look forward to. On to 2021 with a positive outlook while learning from 2020. Thanks so much for a great post!!
Carol says
Beautiful. I so needed this.
The Holy Spirit has blessed!
Hope renewed.
Thank you!
Melody says
What meaningful and much-needed encouragement to be read over and over again and to be shared with others I know who need to hear these words too!
Mara W says
Amen to a beautiful uplifting encouraging and inspiring post. It is a much needed reminder and renewal of faith trust hope and belief in God. He is good every day and every day God is good. Thank you again for this beautiful uplifting encouraging and inspiring post.
Lyn says
Beautiful words to treasure each day in theNew year.. and every year. Perfectly crafted from your heart .
Beth Williams says
Kaitlyn,
2020 has been a year like none other we have seen recently. So much sickness, death, violence & unrest. In the midst of all the chaos God was there & still is here today. He is with each of us always. Guiding us on our journeys. There is nothing we go through or handle that He can’t help us with. We must trust the Jehovah Shammah ( Lord is there). He knows us better than we ourselves. Don’t despair just look forward, backwards & up to see the face of your Heavenly Father waiting to talk with you.
Blessings 🙂
Jeanne Takenaka says
This post spoke to my heart. I need the reminder that Jesus didn’t stay in the manger, and He didn’t stay in the grave. He is behind us as our rear guard, and He goes before us. Such a beautiful truth to hold onto as we prepare for 2021.
Janet Williams says
Soooooooooo beautifully written Kaitlyn. I Love it. Thank you Thank you Thank you. As Jeanne wrote:
“Such a beautiful truth to hold onto as we prepare for 2021”
Blessings sisters \0/
Dawn Ferguson-Little says
We have to especially if saved. Hold on the author and finisher of our faith. That is Jesus. Who is the one who knows the beginning and the end of every day. It say in Psalm 118 verse 24. I know this can be hard to believe and do with the year we all had all over the world. It is this. “This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it” that is what Psalm 118 verse 24 says. It is what we especially more so are to do if saved. Especially in the times we are in today and going in 2021. Yes it can be hard very hard to do. If you lost someone to Covid. Or know someone that has. Or had someone take ill or lost their Job because of the Pandemic. Never to get it back. People on their own love on can’t get to see them. People can’t get the help they need or operations they need because of the pandemic. It sad. But we still as saved Followers of Jesus have to no matter what no matter how hard it is. Do what Psalm 118 verse 24 says remember this is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice in it. That can be very hard. If you saved or not saved have any of the following thing going on in your life. We especially if saved still have to pray read Gods word. Trust the promises in it. Know God has everything under his control. As it is he that made this world. If we are saved and truly trust God. He will look after us. Let nothing happen to us his Children. As like a song I was taught at Sunday School when small it is just appreciate for told for us as Adults. You get it on YouTube it is “He Got The Whole World In His Hands And He Got Me And You Brother In His Hands” How good that is too know. So we can hold on the truth of God word and what it says that God will never leave us or for sake us. Even if the world should change He God me and you in his Hands and that is so good to know. So we don’t need to worry over Covid 19 or what 2021 will bring we just need to keep Praying. Trusting God his Word the Bible and Prayer plus the Promises in it every day. I say Amen to that. Love Dawn thanks for another excellent reading incourage. Xxx
Nancy Ruegg says
So much hope and assurance here! I love the idea of framing statements of trust around scripture, just as the day is beginning–a great new habit to practice for 2021. Thank you, incourage and Kaitlyn Bouchillon!
Olivia says
“So glad I’m here in Jesus name” is a song from my childhood that came to mind. Grateful for his goodness and mercy. He is with us, He is with me — always. Thank you for your words.
Janice says
I desperately needed this today…Hallelujah!
Vernita Herod says
Such a beautiful truth to hold onto for the new year. He is always with us. Thank you.
LindaCamphuis says
Wow how appropriate is this devo?