February 12, 2026
To my future self in December 2026,
I have a special Christmas card and letter for you to open in December, 2026. It’s sealed like a time capsule and is my gift to you—a review of your year.
I’ll give you the background to the letter, as a trailer-of-sorts.
In my yearly plans in January, the Lord gave me a special verse: “Launch out into the deep.” (Luke 5:4). I was also reminded of Paul’s words: “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).
I began with brainstorming all the things I’d like to accomplish this year. Then with that list, I asked myself:
· What would I attempt if I were sure the Lord were with me infusing wisdom, love, courage, and strength?I also included a quote from Lloyd John Ogilvie, one of my favourite authors, who wrote the book, The Lord of the Impossible: “Ask God to help you dare to risk attempting something He’s revealed He wants you to be and do.”
· What obstacles seem to be standing in my way?
· What specific things do I need to ask God to give me?
· What are some steps I need to take to get there? (List several)
· Where/how is the Lord prompting me now to step out in faith and risk?
So as you open my card and read my letter, you'll find many questions about my life in 2026. They include such questions as: “What did you risk, and with what results? (Conversely, what risks did you not take, and with what results?) What surprised you? What was your greatest success of the year?” Unexpected events and situations often come up during the year, and my questions included: “What were they and how did you handle them? How did they influence your writing?” “How and where did you most honour the Lord this year?”
Before I get carried away with the questions, just a reminder to note that it will be important to assess what you learned from this process, and what takeaways you can offer for my plans and writing in 2027.
With love from your younger self,
Sandi
PS—I’ve tucked the Christmas card and letter in all my notes for the InScribe Writers’ Online blog. You’ll find it in the “December” notes.
Sandi Somers’ writing passion is to help readers grow their faith in Jesus, including their vision of what God wants them to be and do. Sandi lives in Calgary, Alberta, the delightful city between the Rocky Mountains and the Prairies, where she enjoys God’s beauty through walking and driving in nature, gardening in season, reading, and connecting with extended family and friends.
I love this take on a letter to yourself, Sandi. You'll be considering some great questions in December. The one that popped out to me was "What specific things do I need to ask God to give me?" And I find the words from Luke 5:4 also something to consider. Launching out into the deep is definitely something I'm doing this year and am finding it challenging. I look forward to reading your December post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your takeaways from my post, Lorrie. It was a joy to write, and I look forward to see what all the Lord has done for me, including in my writing. And yes, launching out into the deep is challenging, as sometimes the Lord brings up new opportunities and/or asks us to go where we've never gone before.
DeleteThanks Sandi. Your thoughts on taking risks speak to my heart. A couple of potentially risky ventures have been whispering to me deep within. Perhaps this is the year to leap into them. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteYes, Michelle Joy, the Lord often asks us to risk, and I love the way you expressed it "whispering to me deep within." Go for it! Leap into them!
DeleteLove this post, Sandi and the way you have tackled this month’s prompt. Hope we get another letter after you open it in December. My breath caught in my throat a bit when you referenced Luke 5:4. I need to get off the beach and into the waves. Thanks for this inspirational post. Will be checking out the book you mentioned. Sounds like a keeper. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandi, this is a super interesting way to review your 2026. Like Lorrie, I look forward to knowing how your "time capsule" turned out. :)
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