2025 is over. As I reflect on the year and all that I have been through I see that I was not alone, for He was with me. Jesus promised that he would never leave us nor forsake us and that He is our daily bread our source of all. And He has shown that to me.
Last year was full of challenges, ups and downs. I was teetering between Faith and Fear.
There was a time I did not know where I was going to lay my head, but He did. He made a way when I could not see. I was down to my last dollars and had to do something, and I heard him say to sell my belongings starting with the Kitchen Aid Mixer. I had been holding on to that because it was sentimental to me. It represented my dream. It was the tool that allowed me to follow my dream of creating yumbitz. I thought to myself, "well, that's not going to work... I don't have luck selling on line" but I did it anyway. I was obedient and listed the items, and for the first time EVER, people were actually clicking and offering me money!!! Everything I posted was getting clicked on. I was amazed. Seriously, if you only knew how many times in the past I have tried to post items for sale and NO RESPONSE. And this time, the response was overwhelming.
As I type, I am brought to mind the story of Simon Peter and the nets. Peter's profession was fishing and and he been fishing all day with NO FISH. This account is in the book of John Chapter 21. Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish.
Simon Peter had told the others, "I am going out to fish", "we'll go with you" they said. They all went together that night and NO ONE caught any fish.
John 21:4 tells us, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No" they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the number of fish.
"It is LORD!"
As soon as Peter recognized it was the Lord he jumped into the water to go to him.
It says when they landed on the shore they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught" So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast"
None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Notice that it says that Jesus took the bread and the fish and gave it to them. He served them. He provided for them. He blessed them all after he had been resurrected.
You know me and numbers... I had to look up the meaning of the number 153, it is said that to mean the hebrew phrase Ani Elohim which means "I am God." It also represents the people, the Fisher's of Men that they would become.
We read that Peter was trying to do it all in his own strength and knowledge with no success but with God, he and the others recieved an overflow, and abundance. I find it facinating that Jesus was waiting for them at the shore and that He already started a fire and had fish prepared for them to eat.
This account just confirms that He goes before us. That he prepares a way we we cannot see one and He knows the precise time to act. He is not late. Jesus asked them to follow him after the nets were full.
When you choose his way over yours... you are blessed. He is teaching us to trust him. "Friends, where are your fish?"
My help comes from the Lord. I know this first hand for he provided for me. He made a way after I had exhausted all my efforts. I remember crying out to the Lord for HELP!!!
I fell on the floor in my guest room screaming at the time of my lungs. LORD HELP ME! YOU GOT TO DO SOMETHING. The cry came from the depths of my soul. I was desperate for an act of God. I had faith of a mustard seed.
The following morning I recieved a text from my landlord..
Key takeaways from Karly
you gotta keep trying because he's always there for you
Jesus is the source for all
sometimes you have to do it afraid
God is amazing!! Astonishing "extremely surprising or impressive"
He loves and supports our efforts.