As we meander towards the New Year, I always become reflective upon the year we’ve just had & to hopefully take the lessons I’ve learned for a much wiser future.
But before we begin, grab yourself a cuppa, a treat & get comfy. As it’s quite cold here on the east coast of Australia after a heat wave last week (we even had a Summer snowfall in Tasmania!), I’ll be enjoying a mug of hot Aussie Bush Tea & a small slice of gf Christmas pudding.
What are you having my friend? Are you enjoying Christmas left overs too? Now we’re ready let’s begin…
Unexpected Bends & Snags
As you may know, if you join me here often, I’ve been doing a lot of Exploration this year & it’s been fun to see how this year has meandered down a River of Delights.
But as we know Rivers, even delightfully slow ones can have many unexpected bends & snags as they flow towards the Sea, as this year’s journey has revealed.
There’s been many delights, one being that another great grandson arrived! And I had the absolute joy of spending precious time with all of my daughters, grandchildren & great grandchildren this year, many of whom live interstate.
Although a little snag that I came across on the River of Exploration this year was shared in;
A Robust Tea Discussion
Then I came to an interesting bend shared in;
How Much control do we hand over to AI & the State?
And I was surprised & delighted that many new readers joined me in two particular posts from previous years;
The last Goodbye…
Tea & Tigers in the Highlands of Malaysia…
And The Take Away
As this year draws to its close & I look over it, my take away is that we’re never too old to Explore the deeper things of life as there’s always another level to uncover. And we’re never too old to learn from the lessons that life often throws our way, hopefully growing in wisdom for the future.
But the biggest take away when I look back over this past year is the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, my Saviour. For His Spirit, the Holy Spirit has never left me nor forsaken me throughout the entire journey of this year with all of it’s delights, bends & snags.
For He truly is the Delight in the River of Delight, keeping His promise to me once again;
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”” Hebrews 13:5 NKJV
May you have a great week my friend.
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
or in Prayer
© 2025 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved. Photo at pexels.com
Discover more from Tea With Jennifer
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Tea With Jennifer 
I look forward to exploring more with you this year. I can’t wait to see what God has in mind for you this year to share with us.
Thanks so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my dear friend. I’m so happy you’re here.
Thank you Paula!
Jennifer, this post reiterates what a friend and I were discussing yesterday – the faithfulness of our God. You used the words “bends and twists”, I said He has been with us through every peak and valley. No matter how we word it, we come to the same conclusion – He is faithful! May you and your hubby have a most blessed year. Now to read your shared posts 🙂
Thank you Joanne! I love when God confirms a discussion or thoughts we’ve just had through fellow bloggers. His faithfulness is indeed new every morning.
As you end a year of exploration, Jennifer, I’m beginning in 2026. I look forward to learning with my WOTY – explore in the new year and walking this journey with you.
How wonderful Lisa! I’ve realised that exploring things on a much deeper level will continue, even though I have a new theme for this year.
‘Explore’, once explored sticks with you.
I’m glad you got to spend more time with family, Jennifer. That’s also valuable. And I agree that we’re never too old to dig deeper and explore! Thanks for showing us how it can work.
Thank you Lisa for all of your wonderful suggestions & ideas on the WOTY linky too! 😊
Jennifer, I enjoyed looking back on this post from July. As always, we have a firm foundation in Jesus. I hope your Christmas was joy-filled and wishing you a blessed New Year, my dear friend!
Thank you Pam.
Hubby & I did indeed have a delightful Christmas, spent with family that live close by & heard from family afar.
May you & Butch have a blessed New Year too sweet friend 💞
I’m having an iced Cherry Pepsi and leftover meat and potatoes from Christmas dinner.
I do have to agree with you that 2025 had some unexpected twists and turns, God was with me through it all!
Sounds delicious Barb. He is such a faithful God. May you have a truly blessed 2026 my friend! 😊
Dear Jennifer, what a great summary of the many ways that God has brought light to your word of Exploration! There is always more to explore with our great God. But truly He is so faithful through every bend and twist
Thank you for the precious ways you stir our hearts to pause and ponder with our Lord. Blessings to you this new year!
Thank you Bettie. Yes, although the twists & bends can seem overwhelming at times He is there as the helmsman getting us safely through.
Blessings to you too Sweet friend 💞