Another Beginning With God
- Debbie Salter Goodwin
- Jan 1
- 3 min read
We’ve survived another year. We’ve turned the calendar to 2026 and will try to remember to write it when completing our dates.
For me, the end of a year begs reflection. Indulge me a few paragraphs to record what I’ve done, what I’ve learned, and what I am committing to with God’s help. Maybe it will encourage you to take a similar look.
It was Socrates who said, “An unexamined life isn’t worth living.”
The Bible makes it an invitation: O Lord... examine my heart and my mind; Psalm 26:2
What I’ve done . . .
I submitted A Consuming Fire in January. This is a 40-day devotional collection for
Ash Wednesday to Easter. It was released before Christmas and is available through your favorite suppliers. Click the title to find out more about it.
In September, I submitted my manuscript for the book on Sarah’s life, which I’ve been writing and trying to publish for the last 10 plus years! You’ll hear more about it after Easter as I ramp up my pre-launch push to get the word out.
I met my Goodreads challenge to read 34 books this year. You can see the books and a short review by going to Something to Read on my website. Here are my four top books in various categories:
When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten, a well-known chef and bakery owner in the Hamptons. Her story of how she built a food presence in an overcrowded space intrigued and challenged me.
The Women by Kristin Hannah is about Vietnam war nurses and the way their combat work was ignored when they returned to America. A messy but moving story!
The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu. This book held rich and hopeful writing on the journey of forgiveness. I learned new principles and processes for living and sharing.
Sipsworth by Simon van Booy was a delightfully imaginative story about a woman who had given up on life until she inherited an uninvited mouse who took up residence in a box of things supposed to be given away. I loved it!
Embracing Exile by Scott Daniels, General Superintendent in the Nazarene Church. This book gave me a new perspective on our cultural chaos and how to live victoriously as a Christian.
I wrote and posted 30 blogs this year and sent them to over 650 contacts bimonthly. The most popular this year were:
1-Keep the Stones Quiet! and If Confession is Good for the Soul (tied for first).
What I’ve learned . . .
That God never directs rush and push as a way to live.
That there is a BIG difference between trying to make something happen (publishing in my situation) and walking through what God opens.
That learning new things should open me to possibilities, not entanglements.
What I am committing to with God’s help . . .
I want to read slowly through Luke about the life and ministry of Jesus as I prepare to lead a Devotional time for Lent at my church. I’m thinking about a slow read through Genesis after Easter.
I am working on a plan to memorize and practice memorized scripture. This has been a growing desire since last year.
I am looking for ways to streamline work, take more time for relationships, and be more available to the people I call family and friends.
These aren’t earth-shattering goals. They won’t send me to the top of some publishing list. However, I have learned that following God’s goals for me shares a better journey and outcome. His plans lead me to prepared places with all the resources I need to live the life He calls me to.
I invite you to take a similar look at your life. What do you find? What questions are you asking? How is God answering? This is a good way to start a New Year because “in the beginning, God created!” (Genesis 1:1). His beginnings have all the beauty and satisfaction we need.
Sharing the beginning of this New Year with you!