Overview:
The author reflects on the year 2024, which has been a mix of highs and lows, and looks ahead to the new year with hope, uncertainty, and anxiety. She compares the cycle of her tree losing its leaves and returning in the spring to the process of pruning or loss, which can be a good thing as it can make one more productive and creative. The author also finds comfort in the Bible verse John 15:2, which speaks of pruning branches that bear no fruit to make them more fruitful. She encourages readers to be hopeful that the pruning of 2024 is a part of the preparation of God fulfilling His promises for greater blessings.
One of the things I love about my house is the tree in my front yard. When the seasons change from fall to winter, the tree leaves turn a beautiful shade of orangish-red for a few weeks. But then all the leaves fall off and I’m left with a scraggly-looking tree with bare limbs. From the days the leaves fall off until they return in the Spring with their lush greens, it’s not much to look at. But I know based on past experience, the leaves will return thicker than the previous year.
This cycle of my tree reminds me so much of what this year has been like. 2024 is ending in a couple of weeks and many are happy that this year of what seems like unending loss and trauma is over. Even as some are saying good riddance to this year, other are looking ahead to 2025 with hope, uncertainty, and maybe just a little touch of fear. We don’t know what’s ahead, but we also are not sure that we want to know what’s ahead if what is ahead is anything like 2024.
I’m not sure where I fall in all of that as 2024 has been a year of great highs (I got a promotion on my job!) and lows (a beloved Uncle passed away). The part of me that is always hopeful is looking forward to the new year with new opportunities and new experiences. Yet, there is a part of me that is a little anxious about what is ahead.
Even as I try to figure it out, I am reminded of the truth in a quote I saw online once: “If you feel like you are losing everything, remember that trees lose their leaves every year and they still stand tall and wait for the better days to come…and leaves to return.” This phrase reminds me of John 15:2 which says, “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” Both the quote and the scripture of how pruning or loss can actually be a good thing sometimes.
The process of losing things can make you more productive. For instance, a few years ago, despite the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, some developed closer relationships with their family members, learned new hobbies, and strengthened their spiritual relationships. Some of us even became more creative and introspective, which is generally a good thing.
For those of us who have lost loved ones, we can be comforted by the memories and yet remain hopeful that God’s best is yet to come. So, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ and begin a new year, we can be hopeful that the pruning of 2024 is a part of the preparation of God fulfilling His promises for even greater blessings.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Shewanda Riley, PhD. is a Fort Worth, Texas-based author of “Love Hangover: Moving From Pain to Purpose After a Relationship Ends” and “Writing to the Beat of God’s Heart: A Book of Prayers for Writers.” Email her at preservedbypurpose@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @shewanda.