This time last year, I was literally giving birth to my second son. My goal for that year was simply to survive the first year of being a mum of two under two.

Now, as I sit here on my son’s first birthday, I’m reflecting on how much has changed, not just in his little life, but in the world around us. Where were you this time last year? Perhaps on holiday, meeting a friend, working your day job, or grabbing groceries from the supermarket?

As I look ahead to this new year, I’ve also carved out time to look back at the year gone by, the joys, the growth, the challenges, and the moments where my human strength fell short. Times when my patience was lacking, and God taught me empathy, showing me how to step into someone else’s shoes. Times when I was selfish, and God gently reminded me of all I already have.

The New Year often invites us to dream forward, to set new goals and embrace fresh motivation, to be “better” than we were last year. But before the year even begins, the pressure can feel overwhelming: to achieve more, to do more, to be more.

That pressure doesn’t sit easily alongside faith, which reminds us time and again that it’s God’s unconditional love that sustains us. His love removes the need to constantly strive for improvement or measure our worth by accomplishments.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, we’re reminded:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Even when we feel like we’re falling short, God’s strength fills in the gaps. Like a Kintsugi bowl, where cracks are mended with gold, His love flows into our brokenness, making us whole and beautiful in ways we could never achieve on our own.

Philippians 1:6 reminds us:

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

And Psalm 46:1 encourages us:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

These verses remind us that God’s work in our lives is ongoing, patient, and faithful. Even in weakness or uncertainty, His strength is sufficient, His love restores, and His presence is constant.

It’s also worth remembering that grace isn’t only something we receive from God, it’s something we extend to ourselves. It’s wonderful to set goals, to look for growth, and to strive for improvement in our lives. These are good, even important, desires. But trying to do it all at once, or expecting ourselves to change overnight, can quickly become overwhelming. Grace allows us to take one step at a time, to celebrate small victories, and to treat ourselves with the same patience and kindness that God shows us every day.

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