Here’s to a brave new year…

Around 1995, I heard a song. It was a Christmas song, but funny, I only remember one line of the lyrics. Not the name of the actual song, nor any of the other lyrics. Just 7 random words that have stuck with me for about 30 years…

I wish you a brave new year….

You see, about that time, I was grieving the loss of my grandpa, (who died just a few weeks before Christmas)  and was nearing the 2nd anniversary of my Gram’s death. The time since losing her had not in any way, been easy. I learned more about grief in the loss of her than I could write in 100 pages. We often learn the most in the midst of the hardest seasons, from my perspective. I remember, as the Christmas season approached, still and again feeling shocked some moments, angry in other moments, lonely and desperately sad in others and feeling like the me I’d known before, was completely gone following the loss of them both. The loss of Gram began a process of learning about death that changed me in tremendous ways. With every death following, I have grieved the same and differently. Grandpa was different in many ways but taught me its’ own lessons.

I worked for a teen ministry and monthly, I wrote a letter to update our donors about the ministry and the impacts their donations were making. I loved writing those. However, as the difficulty of grief overshadowed many of the ways I experienced joy, writing the Christmas edition of our newsletter was proving to be difficult that year. I was restless, numb and could not find inspiration under the weight of all the confusing, conflicted feelings.

While riding in the car with a dear friend, a Christmas song came on. I am sure I heard it like Charlie Brown hears his teacher….(Waaa waaa, waaaa, wa wa, you get the idea.) But like a light piercing darkness, the lyric, I wish you a brave new year pierced through my grief-heavy thoughts and instantly brought tears to my eyes. My dear friend understood without any explanation that again, grief had shown up in the most obscure way. I am so thankful for that friend, with whom I have known for 30 or more years and we’ve walked through much, including a lot of other losses. She just understood…

I leaned my head back as she drove, half-praying and half willing the big emotions away as the line repeated: I wish you a brave new year. I had no idea how to be brave in another year without them, or any day, for that matter. Yet, as my friend took me shopping in an effort to “be normal,” the line kept running through my head.
I lay in bed that night, praying for bravery for myself.

In the next few days, I sat down and somehow, the newsletter came together. It became a wish for a brave new year as the central theme. It became a drum-beat in my own life and prayers for so many others over time.

I’ve never forgot that line and as I get to this time of year, it has come back to me, again.
I find myself thinking, “Oh my stars, don’t we need bravery more than ever?”
It’s been intense for us as humans this year. Health concerns, social and political upheaval, financial concerns, loss of many kinds and the list goes on…
And we’ve had so much bravery! I am so proud of us all. Holding onto faith, family, careers, our ideals, our hopes and dreams. And yet, the wish for a brave new year couldn’t be more important.

Recently, a dear colleague lost her valiant battle with cancer. She was one of the best therapists I know, she taught me so very much about building rapport, attachment and having fun. Her brave, beautiful fight for life was nothing short of breathtaking. I am praying bravery over her family who endures the loss her, this side of heaven.

A couple from our church have shown me so much about bravery. Perhaps that isn’t even a big enough word…they have immigrated from Venezuela under very intense circumstances. I’m sure I haven’t even heard the smallest bit of what they have also endured but with the bit that I have, I wouldn’t blame them if they were bitter, frustrated or scared. But to say they are the most joy-filled humans I’ve met in a long time isn’t a right description, either. I don’t know of anyone I’ve met recently, who is braver. We all could use that kind of bravery…

Single parents, those who are doing the job that is meant for two, while also caring for themselves.

Those who fight to get out of bed each and every day because of the dark and anxious thoughts that threaten each moment.

Those who endure the plight of homelessness, the cold, food scarcity and painful days.

Yes, the list could go on and on, we could all add to it.

I am overcome with the desire to pray, hold dear and plead for mercy and brave hearts for many as we go into a new year. I have learned so much in the last 365 days. I also know without doubt that I have never been more aware of my need for the love and sovereignty of God than I do these days. It is all both/and isn’t it?

How ever you are stepping into 2025, whether brimming with hope, fighting back hopelessness or somewhere in between, I am grateful for you and praying you into a brave life that is filled with the good.

Jesus, you and your presence is so needed here and now. I am so grateful that you are aware of the many, many ways we need and love you. Even when it feels like there is so much that is hard and scary or even unthinkable, you are the bravery we all need. You are good and true. Thank you for another year that we get to remember how brave we can be because of you.
“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Both/And
xoxo