Courage Revisited: A Reflection on My Word of the Year

When I chose “courage” as my word of the year again, it wasn’t because I hadn’t lived it fully—I chose it because it still had more to teach me about trusting God and stepping forward in faith.

Courage has shown up in unexpected ways this past year. It was present in the quiet moments of grief when I surrendered my pain to Jesus after losing my mother-in-love and uncle; mourning my father, and my grandmother. It was His strength that carried me through when my own felt depleted. Courage was there when I was sharing my heart while trusting Him to use my story for His glory.

But courage also looked like celebration and obedience. I’ll never forget the awe I felt stepping off the ship during my first solo cruise to Europe, seeing the beauty of His creation in Rome and France. With every adventure, I sensed His reminder: “I go before you, always.”

Courage spoke when I shared my story on my church’s podcast, opening up about raising a child on the autism spectrum. Vulnerability wasn’t just a choice—it was part of my calling to trust that my testimony could be a light. That same courage led me to stand before a room of women at a retreat, offering devotionals and asking the Holy Spirit to speak through me, believing that His Word would bring comfort and renewal.

Professionally, I’ve learned that bravery often means showing up with faith, even when I feel small. At the Time to Fly Foundation event, standing behind my book table, I felt the weight of the stories God has entrusted me with—stories of resilience that point back to Him.

One of the most humbling moments was seeing Together in the Trenches reach #4 on the “Top 5 Military Family New Releases” list, earning the title of bestseller. I know that every page is a reflection of the ways God has walked with me through life’s hardest battles. And as Speaking From the Lens grew with aerial photography, I was reminded of how limitless God’s plans are. What started as a dream has become a platform where I can honor His creativity and purpose with every captured image.

One of the boldest steps I took was attending my first Imaging USA conference as a small business owner. I entered with no guarantees but left filled with inspiration, connections, and new friendships that felt like divine appointments. Each conversation was a reminder that courage often introduces us to the people we didn’t know we needed.

This past year has been a mix of mourning and celebration, solitude and connection. But through it all, my relationship with Jesus has been the anchor of my courage. He has reminded me over and over: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

If you’re choosing a word for your year, let it challenge you and deepen your faith. Let it guide you toward the moments that matter most. Courage has done that for me—and I’m grateful for the ways Jesus continues to walk with me as I live it out.

With Courage,

Jasmine

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Introducing My New Devotional: Together in the Trenches