The first day of a new year often carries a quiet weight.

It invites reflection on what was, what wasn’t, what we hoped for, and what still feels unresolved.

Many of us step into a new year armed with prayers, plans, and expectations, asking God for clarity, breakthroughs, direction, or protection. Yet, if we are honest, disappointment sometimes lingers – not because we didn’t pray, but because the answers didn’t look the way we imagined.

On the last Sunday before Christmas in church, a story shared during the sermon deeply challenged me and reshaped how I want to enter this new year.

‘A young soldier, fleeing from his enemies, ran into a cave to hide. With fear gripping his heart, he prayed desperately for God to build a wall at the entrance of the cave so his enemies would not find him. As he prayed, he noticed something unexpected: a spider slowly building a web across the cave entrance. Instead of relief, disappointment set in. He grumbled to himself – what could a fragile cobweb possibly do against armed enemies? As the enemy soldiers approached, fear overwhelmed him. He gave up internally, convinced that his prayer had gone unanswered. But when the enemies reached the cave and saw the thick spider web covering the entrance, they concluded that no one could have entered the cave recently. Without checking inside, they turned away and left. In that moment, the soldier realised something profound: God had answered his prayer – but not in the way he expected. The wall he asked for came in the form of a web.’

That story stayed with me long after. It forced me to ask myself some uncomfortable questions. How many times have I prayed earnestly, only to dismiss the answer because it didn’t arrive in the form I imagined? How many opportunities, open doors, relationships, redirections, or quiet provisions have I overlooked simply because they didn’t “look” like my prayer?

And then another thought followed: how many people are walking into a new year carrying the same blind spots?

We often pray for strength and expect ease. We pray for growth and expect comfort. We pray for elevation and expect applause. But sometimes, God answers with process, pruning, silence, or small beginnings that don’t immediately make sense.

Interestingly, this same realisation echoed powerfully during our final LRM session of the year 2025, which held on the same Sunday. Beautiful coincidence for reiteration.

The session focused on “Gratitude in Action: Strengthening Relationships Through Appreciation and Recognition”. As we reflected together, each member on the call mentioned one or two people who made life easier for them this year.

What struck me deeply was how many stories revealed that seemingly small acts – kind words spoken years ago, simple gestures of support, moments of thoughtfulness – were still yielding fruit today.

Some shared how appreciation had opened doors they didn’t even know they would need. Others spoke about how intentional recognition had strengthened relationships that now serve as pillars in their lives. It became clear that many of the “answers” we were grateful for did not arrive loudly or dramatically. They arrived quietly – through people, through kindness, through connections that had been nurtured over time.

We ended the session with a simple but powerful charge: to go back and intentionally reach out with an act of thanksgiving to those who made a difference for us in the year (2025).

What made the moment even more special was the atmosphere we shared as a community. We spoke honestly about the year – the good and the not-too-good. There was laughter, reflection, vulnerability, and a deep sense of family. It was relaxed, safe, and affirming. In that space, gratitude wasn’t just spoken; it was felt.

And once again, I was reminded: many of God’s answers come wrapped in ordinary moments, shared journeys, and people walking alongside us.

As we usher in this new year, I am choosing to step forward with different eyes, different mindset and a new perspective.

Instead of asking only “Did God answer me?” I want to ask, “How might He be answering me differently?” Instead of dismissing what looks small, inconvenient, or unimpressive, I want to pause and discern.

That cobweb – so easy to overlook – was the very thing that saved the soldier’s life.

Perhaps the delay you’re frustrated by is protection.

Perhaps the closed door is guidance.

Perhaps the relationship you are grateful for is an answered prayer you didn’t recognise at that time.

Perhaps the small start or small act you once dismissed is the foundation of something greater and lasting.

As we usher in this new year, my encouragement – to myself and to everyone reading is this:

Don’t underestimate the unusual answers.

Don’t despise what doesn’t look dramatic.

Don’t ignore the people and moments through which God may be working.

Don’t abandon hope just because the answer doesn’t match the picture in your mind.

God is still answering prayers. Sometimes, He just uses webs instead of walls – and gratitude helps us see them.

May this year find us more attentive, more discerning, and more grateful – not only for what we asked for, but for what God wisely provided.

Happy New Year!

Dr M.