As I think back on this year and all the things that happened, a lot comes to mind but most importantly, I can see in hindsight how God was working my life. Sometimes it takes looking back to see His activity in so many areas of our lives, especially the ones where we thought He wasn’t taking notice.

Deuteronomy 8:2 is a key verse in the Bible I often think about this time of year, which says, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

This is where Moses is reminding the Israelites they need to remember their forty years in the wilderness, and emphasized that God led them through that adversity to humble and test them, so what was in their hearts could be revealed. He wanted to see if they would keep His commands, so He could prepare them for what was ahead.

For each of us, it’s also a call to reflect on His faithfulness in our own lives, and remind ourselves to prepare our hearts for what’s ahead. So in light of that, I wanted to share a little glimpse into my 2025. I’ve experienced a lot of good things and hard things, as I’m sure you have as well, but looking back, I can still see His fingerprints all along the way, which gives me hope for the things I will face in the coming new year.

My God highlights – good and bad – this year, included:

My first two precious, baby granddaughters were born.
My oldest daughter, Morgan, was due with her first child in mid January, but sweet Olivia couldn’t wait to enter the world and was born the day after Christmas last year, but we still kicked off 2025 with her precious little self in our arms! My son Michael and his wife Liz blessed us with sweet Samantha who was born on February 8th.

Leaving a job and a ministry I have devoted my life to.
It was a hard and painful transition, but God has provided and showed up in so many ways. Even though I didn’t understand His ways at the time or the plans He had for me in a new season of life, I can look back and see Him at work in my life, and my heart, over the last six months. It was time to surrender what I was holding on too tight to so that He could give me something even better. I can now truthfully say that change was one of the biggest blessings of my year, and I am thankful.

Having the time to pour myself and my energies into what I love most – coaching aspiring authors.
God has instilled in me a passion to help those who have a story to tell get it on paper in a beautiful way and pursue their dream of publishing. Coaching equips and inspires the writer, but I think it blesses me the most.

Experiencing a family situation that truly broke my heart.
This is a situation where I am still waiting to see God at work, and I pray daily to see change, a glimpse of hope for better times and for prayers to be answered. Until this situation is fully resolved, my heart will always feel a little heavy and sad.

Launching the ‘The Writers Blueprint’ program.
This was my inaugural 9 week group coaching program and it was wonderful. I made new friends, taught a lot and learned a lot, and can’t wait until the next one!

Launching the inaugural AuthorRise Academy with Becky Kopitzke.
This six month program is where aspiring Christian authors learn to write, publish, and monetize the book of their dreams. The program is helping so many aspiring authors pursue their calling to write, build their platform and learn how to make an income from their writing, but I’m most thankful for God bringing Becky and I together. I am blessed by the sweet friendship and camaraderie we have formed and by our new author friends who have trusted us to help them pursue their writing dreams.

Completing the first full year of Tracie Miles Literary agency.
My heart behind starting this agency was to help authors reach the next level of publishing. I have learned that being an agent is hard work and not easy, and can be very frustrating at times. But I am elated that two of my clients signed major publishing contracts with Moody Publishers and Penguin Random House, with hopefully more in the works for the coming year.

Supporting my mom, who was suffering from broken bones and went through months of rehab due to a serious fall she experienced this summer.
After her fall, she went through so much pain and suffering, physically and emotionally, but God healed her and she is doing really well. Her heart loves the Lord and that helps her stay positive and hopeful even during the worst of circumstances.

Spending the majority of the summer at my beach house on the NC Coast.
There is nothing this girl loves more than summer, sunshine and beach time. (As we are in the dead of winter right now, I’m marking down the days until spring arrives!)

As I look ahead to the blessings 2026 will bring:

Working on a new book idea and book proposal.
Yikes. I’m excited, and a little nervous, about this new book idea! No matter how many books one might write, working on something new is still a little intimidating, and doubts and insecurities rear their ugly heads. Will it be good enough? Will anyone be interested? Will it be a success? I will be pitching a proposal in the first quarter, and we’ll see if God opens doors.

Granddaughters #3 and #4 are on the way! 😊
Wow  – my family is growing by leaps and bounds, and so quickly! Both of my daughters are pregnant, one due in April and one due in June. This year I’m not going to have enough room on my mantle for all the Christmas stockings! Spring and summer 2026 should be a busy season full of blessings!

A girls trip to Aruba is planned for March 2026 with some of my besties.
Need I say more?

Offering a free Masterclass in January for aspiring writers dreaming about following the calling God placed on their heart to share their story.
This is going to be so fun! From Blank Page to Book Deal: Five Essential Steps Every Christian Author Needs, will take place on January 13th at 7:30pm ET. And it’s FREE! You can CLICK HERE to register if you haven’t already done so. If you have any interest in learning how to share your story through words in the coming year, I hope to see you there!

Hosting The Writers Blueprint again in 2026, starting February 16th.
The next Writers Blueprint program will be even better and I can’t wait to help more writers with a dream in their heart to start writing their book and take that leap of faith to lean into their gifts and their calling! The program will begin February 16 and run through April 17. Enrollment is open if you want to secure your spot and make 2026 your year of writing!

Hosting AuthorRise Academy again in 2026.
Although dates have not been determined yet, it’s going to happen sometime this summer! Stay tuned for all the details in the spring! You can get on the waitlist now by clicking here to be notified when registration opens again!

And that’s just the beginning! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me this year, and am faithfully trying to prepare my heart for the hard things that I know will come.

I want to encourage you, before the clock strikes twelve tonight, to think about the highs and lows of your 2025, and start thinking about how you can trust God with 2026. Where did you see God at work? What blessings did He bestow upon you? How did he turn burdens into blessings? Where do you see His fingerprints as you look back at the year behind you? What are you excited about for 2026? What goals and dreams do you want to strive for in the coming year? What leaps of faith to you need to pray about finding the courage to take?

None of us know what a new year will bring … the highs nor the lows – the laughter nor the tears … but what we do know is that God is good, all the time. Sometimes, we just have to pause and take notice of His Presence in the past to truly trust Him with the future.

Wishing you a very happy New Year!

xoxo, Tracie