Back to December: Reflections on Growth, The Blue Door, and Giving Your Final 10%
including end-of-year reflection questions
My oldest daughter has developed a fascination (read: obsession) with Taylor Swift. I think it has to do with the fact that her first-grade teacher will play her music during “brain breaks” at school. So naturally we had to pull out all my “old Taylor” CDs to listen to on our 7.5-hour drive to visit family over Thanksgiving.
I think one of her titles in particular, “Back to December” sums up perfectly where I’m at, and perhaps where you are as well.
Back to December. Here we are again.
This year seems to have flown by (as they often do), but as I pause to make sense of it all, I find myself reflecting on a few key lessons God has been revealing to me in my creative journey.
Growth: Beyond the Metrics
Growth is something we talk about a lot this time of year. There’s often a focus on what can be measured:
More followers.
More clients.
More subscribers.
More books sold.
It’s easy to think that as time passes, everything should trend “up and to the right,” as my pastor likes to say. But just like I’ve often mentioned that the writing process isn’t linear, neither is our personal or spiritual growth—or even the trajectory of our business or ministry.
This year, I’ve been reflecting on two kinds of growth:
Growth as a person: Where have I seen God shape and refine me this year?
Growth as a creative or professional: How has He opened doors, shifted desires, and invited me into new ventures?
Success, I’m reminded, isn’t about the results, it’s about obedience. Which leads me to The Blue Door.
The Blue Door: Walking with God
In my last newsletter I spilled the beans on telling you that I’m not so secretly working on a children’s book (to which many of you provided great recommendations, so thank you).
I recently finished the book, The Story of With by Allen Arnold, an allegory about our purpose and calling. (Which I would recommend, I really enjoyed it!) The main character, Mia, encounters many doors at one point in the story. Some promise success, validation, or fulfillment. But among them is the Blue Door, which doesn’t promise anything flashy—just an invitation to walk her story with God.
That’s the door I want to choose. Yet, I’ve noticed how easy it is to get tripped up by other open doors that seem like they must be from God. It’s tempting to walk through the ones that feel safe or seem to lead to success.
But the Blue Door reminds me that true success is staying in step with God, deepening my relationship with Him, and letting Him guide me.
I think if we looked towards a deeper relationship with him, instead of external markers of success and validation, then we might be able to go all in and give it all—even the final 10%.
What doors have you walked through this year, and how did you discern whether they were from God?
How can you stay attuned to God’s voice when faced with opportunities or decisions that seem enticing but may not be His best for you?
Giving Your Final 10%
This idea of obedience ties into something else I’ve been reflecting on—giving that last 10%.
If I’m honest, I tend to hold back. I might give 80–90%, but I leave a buffer—just in case. It’s a way to protect myself from failure or rejection.
One area where this has hit home is these newsletters. They stretch me every time, but I still find myself holding back.
What if I gave it my last 10%? I wonder what could happen.
Where in your life or creative work have you been holding back instead of giving it your all?
What would it look like to trust God enough to give that last 10% wholeheartedly?
Bit-by-bit: Small Steps at a Time
I’ve started jotting down ideas and scenes for my children’s book. My writing coach recently reminded me that writing fiction is the anthesis of striving, and this statement brings me so much peace. Instead of dismissing ideas that don’t immediately “fit,” I’m making notes and trusting the process.
She also mentioned that I need to listen to my characters more because, apparently, they don’t trust me yet. Ouch. I have some work to do!
How can you embrace the process of creating, even when it feels slow or unclear?
What small steps of obedience can you take today to move forward in faith with the projects God has placed on your heart?
Published Articles
Despite the busyness of the past two months, I’m excited to share that I had two articles published:
Mystery of Eden: God’s Garden– An article about how my journaling habit blossomed into my writing career.
A Very Shiny Christmas – A personal essay about decorating our Christmas tree growing up, featured in Anchored Magazine by the Southern Christian Writers Conference.
Reflecting on the Year
As we approach the close of another year, I want to share something that’s become a cherished tradition for me—my annual end-of-year reflection questions. These simple prompts have a way of helping me slow down, look back, and listen for what God has been teaching me.
This past year has had its share of highs and lows, and through it all, I’ve found that taking time to reflect brings clarity and gratitude. My hope is that these questions will encourage and inspire you to do the same, as you seek God’s hand in your journey and prepare for what’s ahead.
Consider also revisiting The Wheel of Life. It’s a tool I’ve shared in the past to help you reflect on how well you’ve integrated your “word of the year” into different areas of life.
But this year, instead of only focusing on where we’ve grown, we are going to let God speak into where He’s still working.
Create personal growth statements for different areas of your life, celebrating the progress you’ve made.
And for those areas where growth feels stagnant? Write a “growing statement” instead.
For example, physical health hasn’t been a priority for me this year. I haven’t focused on it like I should. But even recognizing that feels like growth—an invitation to lean into that area next year.
It’s not about nitpicking every area of life or berating ourselves for what we didn’t do. It’s about letting God remind us of where He’s been at work, even in unexpected ways.
Sometimes it’s hard to see our own growth, so I encourage you to pray and ask God, and maybe even ask those closest to you what growth and changes they might have seen in you.
It’s about celebrating the importance of making it (whatever it is) more of a priority. That awareness itself is a gift from God, so let’s not take it for granted!
As We Close This Chapter…
This year will be wrapping up in a few short weeks, and whether you’re eager to turn the page or feeling hesitant to leave 2024 behind, I want to encourage you to hold onto these truths:
God sees you in every triumph and every tear.
God loves you deeply, more than you could ever comprehend.
Your story matters because it’s part of His greater story.
As you reflect on this past year and step into the next, know that you don’t walk this journey alone. God has been with you every step of the way, and He will continue to lead, guide, and equip you for all that lies ahead.
Let’s approach 2025 with hearts full of hope and hands open to receive whatever God has in store.
From my heart to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your season be filled with peace, joy, and the comforting presence of our Savior.
Love,
This year seemed to go slowly the first few months when I was struggling to finish a novel I had committed to finish by hiring a manuscript evaluator to give me feedback. But the months since May (when I sent that off) flowed by like a runoff-fed stream.
God has closed more doors this year, and I have closed the door to my freelance business. The relief of making that decision and shutting down my website surprised me. But since I’ve focused on inviting him into the center of my writing life, business and daily decisions this year, I’m confident that decision was motivated by him.
Although 2024 looked nothing like I dreamed it would, I’m finishing it with a solid sense of being exactly where the Lord wants me.
Thanks for your insightful posts. They cause me to reflect deeply and walk away uplifted.