Happy Monday all my dear friends and blog visitors!! Happy new week. Happy new month. Happy new year. For me, that is the perfect beginning. And, on top of all that, I am finally feeling (just about/almost) 100 percent myself again!! Yes, it is a happy Monday indeed! I mentioned on my post just before Christmas that I had been sick the majority of December but that I was (or so I thought) on the road to recovery. That lasted about twenty-four hours after writing that post. Whatever I had returned, and did so with a vegenance. I am still finishing out my second round of antibiotics but I really am feeling oh so much better. All that to simply say, please pardon my very extended (and completely) unplanned absence from the blog. I did not see that coming but am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things now. I genuinely appreciate all those who have continued to stop by this space of mine…and those who have left kind and enouraging comments. Thank you so much.
I have considered where to begin? How do I find my blog routine and rhythm again. (I do hope this is like riding a bike!!) I have even considered quite a bit how I would like my blog to continue into the new year. When you spend an excessive amount of time “on the couch,” you consider a lot of things:) One thing that rumbled through my thoughts more often than I expected was the idea of a word for the year. It is an idea/concept that I did for several years…but several years ago. Not exactly sure why I stopped choosing a new word but, quite honestly, I cannot say that I missed doing so. However, the idea did come to mind often recently and I began to consider/think about/meditate on a few possible words for the months ahead.
Then, one day last week, I was reading Joyce’s post summarizing her thoughts on her word for last year. ANCHORED…and that word has been with me ever since. My first thought of definition for anchored is “held firmly in place” and, my goodness if there is ever a need in my life, it is to be held firmly in place. This past year was (much like the previous year….I hope this is not a pattern) filled with storms. Turbulence. Small storms and some huge storms. Storms that threatened to overwhelm me.
My faith felt tethered. But weak. Much like a boat held to a dock with simply a rope. It doesn’t float away but the storm certainly can throw that boat around. Perhaps slamming it into the dock or allowing it to take on water – to be point of sinking. There were weeks, this past year, that felt very much like that. And, yes, my faith holds me but I want a faith that actually anchors me. Firmly secured. I have no idea what this new year ahead holds. Perhaps, there will be many more days of calm waters. Lots of sunny days with still water. But if (and when) storms do come, I want to be in a better position than I have been. I want to be anchored.
Another definition of anchored I encountered (while looking around the internet dictionaries)…well, perhaps more of anchor, was “a source of stability or security.” That is the key, is it not? I don’t simply want to be “held firmly” but I want to be anchored to the right source of security. And that would be the Lord…and my faith in Him. When the storms have threatened me in the past, to what have I been anchored? So many thoughts, meditations and applications that I can pull from these ideas and definitions. I suppose that is the benefit of a word for the year. And, so, I have decided to adopt a word for 2026. I do hope that Joyce will not mind if I borrow/reuse her word. I don’t know how often I will post about “my word” throughout the year. Perhaps the lessons learned will be “just for me” or maybe they will be worth sharing. We will see. But I do hope ANCHORED will refocus my thoughts often in the weeks and months ahead.
Do you consider a word for the year? I think they may be a bit like resolutions. You either do. Or you don’t. By the way, I am definitely in the “make resolutions…and consider them often” camp. But, if you do have a word for the year, please share it. It would be encouraging to know what you are thinking as well. If not – no worries. Either way, I’m so glad you stopped by today. I certainly plan to be posting regularly (M/W/F) again. Please come back and I look forward to catching up with each of you.
Great to hear from you! I´m sorry that you started feeling poorly again almost right after you began to feel better. That was sneaky and awful of that bug :(. BUT, I´m thankful that you are feeling almost 100%. I´m sure you´ll be there before too long. I like your word of the year. I hate that you had so many storms last year but am glad to hear that your anchor held… I do not have a word for a new year nor do I make resolutions. I do have a few low level goals. Looking forward to hearing from you again soon as you full mend and feel strengthened/energized. Happy Monday and New Year, friend!
Thanks much, friend! I’m looking forward to 100 percent as well…and to enjoying blog visits again!! So glad you stopped by this morning!!
Happy Monday, Jennifer! I do hope you’re truly on the mend this time 🙂 I didn’t do an official word of the year, but rather a certain scripture about having a calm and quieted soul. The word that naturally goes along with that verse would be “contentment” so I guess that would be the word, if I had to choose one. But I love your word – anchored – and I absolutely get why you chose it. I felt that way in 2024, like I had been tossed and battered in the storms of life and though the Lord held onto me and kept showing up, it felt like the rope was on it’s last string. I’ve always said that I want to be that person that holds strong when trials come; not the one that panics and falls apart. Well, I’m not there yet and I guess that’s a good reason to stay close to the savior. I did post about my scripture of the year. I’m sure you’ll get around to reading it at some point. I’m so glad you’re feeling better. Happy New Year!
There were many days last year that I really thought my rope was on its last string! But, yes, the Lord kept showing up. Isn’t that amazing!! I look forward to reading about your scripture for the year. Thanks for your comment today!! Blessings to you –
may you stay healthy now! So glad for modern medicine! Happy New Year to you!
You and me both, Karen. Sure hoping this round of antibiotics does the trick!! Happy new year wishes to you, too!
What a great word. No I don’t do the One Word for the year. It’s another thing that gets dropped by the way side half way through the year. So glad to hear that you are on the mend. Keeping you in my prayers!
Hello Friend, I am happy you are feeling better.
We had a challenging 2025. A lot of changes happened for me, which were not easy to deal with and to be honest, I am still very sad about some of them.
I appreciate your post today, I am going back to read it again… Anchored… I really like that word.
Praying that 2026 is calmer – and bit more stable – for both of us, Carla. So glad you stopped by today!!
Happy New Year, Jennifer! I am so glad you are on the mend and almost back to normal. You have been on my mind since mid-December. Listen to your body though and rest when it says. Whatever is going around likes to return with vengeance as you discovered. I don’t do resolutions anymore, but do plan. I am still trying to land on my Word of the Year, so until I do, I will continue to use the one from 2025 which was glimmer seeker. Happy Monday and happy January.
Hi Robin – so glad you stopped by! I hope your year is off to a peace-filled start. I look forward to keeping in touch in the weeks ahead –
Oh goodness; I am so sorry that you needed a second round of antibiotics! I hope whatever it is that you’ve had is well and truly on its way out now. That is a wonderful word of the year!
I’m sorry you have been sick, and I didn’t know exactly what it was that you had. I hope you are feeling better. No, I usually don’t choose a word for the new year, but I love hearing about those who do have a special word. I hope the new year brings you much goodness in the days and weeks ahead. : )
Hello! And welcome back! I am so sorry you were ill again. May this new year bring you health and happiness!! I post on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as well. I need a schedule in every aspect of my life! Have a cozy afternoon, my friend.