As we’ve already stepped into a new year, it’s still worth slowing down long enough to look back with grateful hearts. The past six months were filled with God’s gentle invitations to pause, breathe, and trust Him more deeply — even when life felt uncertain or heavy. Join us as we take a look at the best of Embracing the Unexpected | Second Half of 2025.
We’ve learned to pause, let go of unrealistic expectations, and sit quietly in the presence of God, right in the middle of the unexpected and the chaos. Together, through stories, Scripture, and heartfelt conversations, we’ve discovered that growth often happens in those still moments and that hope is never out of reach.
“Be still, and know that I am God....” (Psalm 46:10, NIV)
Before we rush ahead, let’s take one more meaningful pause and reflect on how God has been encouraging and strengthening our faith through this community.
What follows are some of the most-loved posts, shared messages, and conversations from the past six months.
A Message That Touched Many Hearts | Second Half of 2025
Every time you take a moment to read a post, you’re creating space for God to speak into your life — and I’m so grateful Jesus continues meeting you there. Watching these posts reach so many hearts reminded us how deeply we long for peace, hope, and God’s truth in everyday life.
The Unexpected Gifts of Stepping Away Now to Pause
Sometimes we step away hoping for rest — and God offers revelation instead. Slowing down can surely open our eyes to blessings we often miss in the rush of life.
Finding Faith, Hope, and Love in the Unexpected
Life rarely unfolds the way we imagine. Disappointments come, plans unravel, and challenges stretch our faith. Yet, when we lean into Jesus, He meets us in those places. He offers us hope to carry on and love when our strength feels gone. And it all begins with choice.
Where Our Community Connected | Second Half of 2025
One of the greatest gifts of this community is knowing we don’t walk through life alone. When you share your reflections, stories, and prayers in the comments, God uses them to encourage others. This post sparked such a beautiful conversation about slowing down and meeting with God in busy seasons.
How to Be Intentional About Soul-Care During the Holidays
The holidays often promise joy yet deliver exhaustion. Expectations pile up, emotions run deep, and busyness crowds out peace. Though written with the holidays in mind, its message applies to every season — inviting us to breathe, refocus, and nurture our souls with God’s peace.
A Message You Passed Along | Second Half of 2025
Every time you share a post, you help carry encouragement into someone else’s life—sometimes right when they need it most.
How to Find Hope in the Darness of the Unknown
Uncertainty can feel heavy, especially when the future is unclear. This post will show you how God remains our steady light in the unknown. He guides us one step at a time, even when we can’t see what’s coming.
A Personal Favorite | Maree’s Pick
This blog post holds a special place in my heart — written through prayer and lived experience—trusting God to meet us in disappointment and lead us forward with renewed hope.
Look for Unexpected Hope in the Midst of Surging Disappointment
When our prayers go unanswered, and our dreams fade, surging disappointment can surface quickly and threaten to destroy our faith. Yet, God meets us there and leads us forward.
Blog Post Trending into 2025
Though written earlier, this post continued to bless readers throughout the year, a reminder that God’s Word always meets us right on time.
12 Bible Verses to Help You Draw Closer to God
We can grow closer to God by reading, praying, and meditating on His Word. These verses were chosen to encourage our intimacy with the Lord, deepen our understanding of the truth, and remind us that He is always with us. (Includes a free printable.)
Favorites on Social Media | Second Half of 2025
These were your most-loved posts from our social platforms—quick encouragement to brighten your feed and fuel your faith.
Top Posts on Embracing the Unexpected—Updated
Moving Forward with God — Unhurried and Rooted in Faith
As we step deeper into this new year, many of us feel the pressure to do more, fix everything, and set bigger goals. Yet God wants us to slow down and begin with Him.
That’s why I created An Unhurried Focus: Faith First in Goal Setting — a workbook designed to help you reflect with grace, recognize the season you’re in now, and move forward with goals shaped by prayer instead of pressure.
If you’re weary of setting goals or already discouraged by resolutions that have failed, this guide will bring you back to what matters most—putting God first in every step.
Closing Reflection — Moving Forward with God
As we continue into the new year, let’s take time to reflect and carry forward the wisdom God has been teaching us. Through every story, Scripture, and moment of pause, He has gently reminded us to slow down, trust Him more deeply, and seek His presence in the midst of the unexpected.
The past six months were a powerful reminder that God is always at work, even when life feels uncertain, painful, or overwhelming. And the months ahead hold new opportunities to lean into His grace, grow stronger in faith, and walk closely with Him — together.
As we move forward, let’s keep our hearts open to His leading, our eyes fixed on His promises, and our faith rooted firmly in Christ.
A Special Thank You
As we look back with gratitude, thank you for being part of this Embracing the Unexpected family. Every comment, share, prayer, and word of encouragement has helped spread God’s hope far beyond what I could ever do alone.
You’re not only reading — you’re walking alongside one another in faith, lifting each other, and pointing hearts back to Jesus.
I’m deeply thankful for you.
Some people come in our life as blessings. Some come in your life as lessons.
—Mother Teresa
Wait, Don’t Leave Yet!
Take a quiet moment and reflect:
- What was the greatest blessing from the past six months?
- What was the biggest challenge you faced — and where did you see God meet you in it?
- What is one area where He is inviting you to slow down and trust Him more this year?
- Is there a Bible verse God has been placing on your heart lately?
Mine is Psalm 57:1 — a reminder that hardship doesn’t last forever and that we can rest safely under God’s loving care.
“Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by”
(Psalm 57:1, NASB)
I’m in the middle of a surging disappointment right now, but I know that in spite of my feelings, thoughts, and reality, our God hasn’t forgotten about me. I’m trusting him to still answer my prayers.
My heart goes out to you during this tough time. Disappointment can be really hard to bear, but please know you’re in my thoughts and prayers right now. I’m so grateful you remember that God has not forgotten you.
Wishing you blessings and comfort,
Maree
This really spoke to me! Taking a moment to pause not only brings rest but also opens our eyes to God’s unexpected blessings. So grateful for this reminder to slow down and trust Him 🤍
Amen to your words! I really appreciate how a simple pause can reveal God’s unexpected blessings. Maree
“God often does His best work in the stillness when we pause and listen!” Amen, dear sister! My word this year is STILL. Beautiful post to read this morning … 💕
What a lovely word! Thanks so much for sharing, Maree.
Thank you for the reminder to care for my soul, Maree. I was blessed by your words, as always!
I’m truly happy that my words could bring you some blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Warm wishes, Maree
The verse I turned to most in 2025: 2 Corinthians 1:4
“who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Thank you so much for sharing your verse for 2025. I really love it! I might even include it in the chapter I’m currently working on for my book. It’s inspiring!