karin dancy

Ever have one of those days where your brain just keeps replaying everything that’s gone wrong, the stuff that makes your shoulders slump? Yeah, me too.

The other day, I found myself replaying how this year has been doing THE most . . . family health roller coasters, car and fridge breaking the same week, another car mishap months later, and a country that feels more divided than ever. And honestly? Those are just a few highlights.

Maybe you can relate. It’s way too easy to zero in on the hard stuff . . . the mountains that feel impossible to climb, the “Lord, do I really have to do this?” moments, the news updates that send even the strongest among us spiraling down a rabbit hole of dismay.

And yet.

God is so, so good, y’all.

For every hard moment in 2025, there have been so many beautiful ones. Our oldest kids graduated with honors . . . one who landed a great job before graduating, and the other who’s on track to finish college debt-free in four years. Our little guy is finding his rhythm as the only kid at home. Hubby is a living, breathing miracle whose presence reminds me daily of God’s grace and mercy. And we all have, as the elders say, a reasonable portion of health and strength. Strength to keep running the race set before us.

Listen, I hoped for a kind and gentle 2025 back in January. Instead, this year came in extra-spicy. Exhausting? Yes. Brutal at times? Absolutely. And yet also exhilarating and overflowing with abundant blessings I can’t even count.

I’m no Pollyanna, so this isn’t an appeal for fake positivity. This is simply a reminder to remember this when your mind starts wandering toward worry: what we choose to dwell on shapes our peace. So when worry pops up, let’s refocus on what’s real and good . . . things that lift us up, not weigh us down. Let’s look for beauty, not mess. Keep our eyes on what’s worth celebrating.

Let’s hold tight to every single and yet, friends. Because those little words? They’re proof that God is still writing good into our story.

Tell Me: What’s an And Yet in your own story?