Hey sweet friend,

I finally took the Christmas tree down on January 15. I know, that’s about two weeks past what most people would call “reasonable.” But I couldn’t bring myself to do it any earlier. Not because I was busy. I had the time. I was just still enjoying it, lingering in what was. I just wasn’t quite ready to move on.

Christmas was special this year. A wonderful time with family, all the fun at The Grove, and of course... Edmund and I got married. It was a Christmas I won’t soon forget. And I think I liked the idea of staying in that light just a little longer.

But somewhere around January 12, at our weekly bridge game, Nelda eyed the tree a few times and finally asked — in a way only Nelda can — “Your Christmas tree was lovely, but my dear, are we taking it down this year?” I smiled, but later that night, as I sat there staring at the tree still lit in the corner, I knew she was right. My heart and my thoughts were staying stuck in last year. But God was gently asking me to be here, now.

Isaiah 43:18–19 came to mind: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” And right then, I realized — I can’t see what God is doing now if I’m still clinging to then.

So I put on some music, grabbed my sweet tea, and started packing up ornaments. Not with sadness of moving on, but with expectation. Because the God who met me in December is still here in January. Amen! 🙌❤️ And He doesn’t need twinkling lights or cinnamon candles to do a new thing in my heart.

Sweet friend, in case you’re finding it hard to let go — of a season, a hope, even a rhythm that felt safe — I get it. But I’ll tell you this: once the tree was down, the room looked bigger. Fresher. Like there was finally space to dream some big dreams with the Lord. We’ll see where He leads.

In the meantime, you’ve got this, dear one. And you are doing better than you think you are.

Much love to you,
​Glory

Hey Friends, Melissa Alyse here. If you are new here, every month Glory shares a piece from her heart with us, and it always seems to be just what we need to hear, Amen! ☺️🙌 God's timing is impeccable, isn't it? ❤️ If you'd like to hear more from Glory, you can really see her shine in A Place to Belong, the first book in the Willow Creek Series.
Hope your January was refreshing and hope your February brings fresh winds of the new thing God is doing in your heart.
grace + hugs,
-m. ❤️