When I was 8 or 9 years old, I was wrapping up a week of swimming lessons. At the time, our town’s outdoor pool was a simple rectangle, surrounded by a chain-link fence and featuring two diving boards—one low and one high. My farmer dad, busy with fieldwork, had promised to come watch on the final day.
I had been up on the high diving board before, but knowing he’d be there to watch filled me with nervous anticipation. I wanted so badly to make him proud, to show him I could dive off that towering board.
Sure enough, he arrived after picking up some parts for the farm. My heart raced as I climbed the metal ladder, stomach swirling with a mix of excitement and nerves. Reaching the end of the board, I took a deep breath and dove off. When my head broke the surface, I heard his familiar shout, “Good job, Amber!” and saw his wide smile and clapping hands.
Fast forward thirty years, we’re gathered around the dinner table. My dad knows I train Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has even watched my kids compete. His farmer blood still has him rising before dawn, and one day, he casually mentioned that he’d spotted my car at the gym early one morning. As it turned out, it wasn’t just one morning—it was several. Each time, he’d pulled into the parking lot and watched me rolling with my training partners through the window.
At first, I teased him about “spying” on me, calling it a little creepy. But truth be told, I was secretly tickled. Knowing he’d taken the time to think of me, to stop and watch, warmed my heart. The next morning at class, don’t you think I was working just a little harder, a little more aggressively? Even after all these years, a part of me couldn’t help but hope to make him proud—my grown-up self not so different from that little girl on the high diving board, heart swelling with anticipation.
As I reflect on the new year, considering goals and habits for 2025, I’m encouraged by God’s watchfulness. It’s not sporadic or distant, it’s continual, powerful and steadfast. Scripture reminds us, “You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways” (Ps. 139:2-3). And again, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3). Our Father’s attentive, all-knowing gaze is always upon us as we live, move, and breathe, even though we may often forget this truth to our own detriment.
Coming out of the season of celebrating Emmanuel—God with us—we’re reminded that He walks alongside us in the everyday moments of life. When the Lord Jesus commissioned the disciples, He assured them of His ongoing companionship as they fulfilled their calling, empowering them by the Holy Spirit. That same promise holds true for us as we step into the tasks and challenges before us.
R.C. Sproul describes the Latin phrase Coram Deo as living all of life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and for the glory of God. To live Coram Deo is to acknowledge God’s nearness in every moment, prompting our obedient response to Him and allowing His light to shine through us.
God with us when our growth toward Christlikeness feels slow.
God with us in the mundane routines and frustrations of our work.
God with us when we struggle to maintain a consistent rhythm in the Word and prayer.
God with us in moments of troubling news.
God with us when life is going well, when we’re excited about growth, new opportunities, and the evidence of fruit in our lives and in others’.
God with us as we navigate tough decisions.
God with us as we care for the needs of our families.
God with us when we serve, teach, and lead in our local church communities.
How might recognizing ‘God with us’ shape your goals, habits, or actions in the coming year?
As I consider the habits I want to maintain this year:
Daily abiding through Bible reading, prayer, and journaling.
Weekly marriage check-ins.
Consistently writing on the blog each week.
Regular workouts and training sessions.
Dedicated reading time.
And the areas I’d like to begin or expand:
This year, I’ve started Professor Horner’s Bible Reading System, recommended by Tim Challies. After several years of using a version of the 5-Day Plan, this approach feels similar but includes a few additional chapters each day.
Once again, I’m following the VT Reading Challenge. Its prompts encourage me to read widely and with intention.
Increasing my daily protein intake.
Planning and preparing freezer meals to simplify life when we’re on the go.
As we move through this year, living with the awareness that our Father is watching, my prayer is that it will draw us to sit at His feet, learn from Him, and—by His grace—respond to those around us in ways that bring them good and reflect His love.
This really resonated with me, Amber. Such a worthwhile encouragement for the New Year. God bless you and Happy New Year!