I Guess the Lord Must Be In New York City
Now that we’re in 2026, I wanted to take some time to look back on 2025 as I finally get around to launching this newsletter—something that’s been on my heart for quite a while.
What do you do when you get divorced and find yourself spending New Year’s alone because your kid is with his mom? You go to New York City, of course.
Was I expecting to find God waiting for me in New York City? Not exactly. I went to see the sights, catch a play, and maybe—just maybe—watch the ball drop. I never really understood why anyone would want to live in New York City until this trip. It’s crowded, loud, and very cold. And there I was, completely by myself, surrounded by a city of eight million people.
During that trip, Hebrews 13:2 stood out to me in a new way:
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
And wow—New York City has some very interesting strangers.
One of the first places I visited was St. Patrick’s Cathedral. As I walked in, I was greeted by a docent who was the quintessential New Yorker. He might as well have been Tony from The Sopranos. He even looked like a security guard, complete with an earpiece—the kind of guy you wouldn’t want to mess with.
Despite the tough exterior, he was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. He answered my questions, told me where to go, and even recommended an amazing spot for cheap, great food—Toasties.
As I was leaving, I said, “Thanks so much.”
“No problem,” he replied.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“My name’s Angel,” he said.
I just stared at him.
Later in the trip, I returned to the cathedral to attend a service. And sure enough, there was Angel—standing up front, quietly guarding the priest.
Friends, 2025 has been full of moments just like this one—God winking right at me.
I’ve wanted to launch this newsletter to share those moments as I’ve noticed them along the way. If you’re willing, I hope you’ll follow along with me into this new year.
-Rob
