2026

books, writing, new year, reflection, cozy

Hello writing, my old friend.

There is something about a new year that stirs within me a desire to sit and write. I think it is the space between reflection and goal-setting, that causes me to sit and contemplate… how are the years flying by so fast? Was I not just sitting here writing goals last year? What did I actually accomplish? What was my most meaningful contribution in 2025?

Every year there are instantly things I regret not doing more of and writing is at the top of the list, nearly, every year. This year, I can add running and reading to the list. My sneakers have seen better years.

But if I reflect more, I realize that we were navigating a new season at a new school with a new puppy, and there were some big changes in our schedule and routine. A couple of these things I wouldn’t have been able to predict in January. The beauty of life is that it is unpredictable and beyond our control. I wonder how God views our feeble attempts of trying to predict what we want to see happen at the beginning of each year?

It is not wrong to hope. It is not wrong to plan. But we must always hold those plans loosely and trust that they are much better in the hands of a Sovereign God.

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In full disclosure, I started writing this post on January 1st, but here I am finishing it on January 10th. This is actually encouraging to me because, usually, I would begin something, have a deadline in mind, miss it, and quit. This year I just want to continue. Pick up where I left off, instead of getting discouraged that I stopped.

This can apply to many areas of my life - that Bible Reading plan, exercise goals, the book I haven’t picked up in awhile - but here and now, I’ll start with writing.

If there is anything I can contribute to 2026, I pray that it will be to use my words to motivate, encourage and inspire someone else to continue pursuing God and a relationship with Him.

He’s never left and it’s never too late to pick up where you left off.