2026 Word of the Year - Publish

I have chosen "publish," as my 2026 word of the year. 

In 2026, I plan to make good news publicly known as often as possible. 

Mostly I will be sharing insights and truths from God's word and sightings of God's goodness in my life and the lives of friends and family.

My readers know I was part of Hope*Books Collaboration projects in 2025 and I earned the right to say I'm a published author for having contributed to two different books, "A Family Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition." and "The Advent Collection: hope, peace, joy, love."

It was an exciting year and I'm grateful.

2026 is now upon us and I'm busily working on my first novel to be published by Hope*Books. Actually, I've already written this novel. I've spoken of my efforts on the book for quite some time now, but publishing it is now in my grasp. 

The good news I will make known in my book is that no one is beyond redemption!

But there is more to publishing than books. Being the word-nerd that I am, I looked up the definition of "publish." The Cambridge Dictionary explains it like this:

To publish means to make a work (like a book, article, software, or music) available to the public, either physically or digitally, for sale or distribution; it also means to make something publicly known,  to announce it ...

I remember back in 2008 when I wrote my first blog-post (hey! I'm old!), it was with fear and excitement that I pressed the button labeled "publish." Nobody told me I could publish my post, it was totally my decision. What a rush! My words were out there ... and I was hooked.

It took me quite awhile to find my voice but I began to see my calling was to encourage. 

Much has happened over the years and I have had to fight to find time to write. Most of the struggle has been in my own head. But try as I might, I cannot give it up.

What is on your mind for 2026? What would you like to see happen? Share in the comments below, and let's lift each other up!

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Lisa's link-up: January One Word Link-Up and at Let's Have Coffee

 

 

An Unusual Weekend

This is an unusual weekend for me.

We are in the middle of a winter storm warning that promises to be a snow-palooza. I don't know if it will actually happen in my area; but I know it's freezing and slick outside.

Sunday services are already cancelled.

Groceries have been hauled in.

Now, we sit huddled in our afghans, candles at the ready and wait to see what happens.

I always love snow weekends because I'm all about staying in my nest and being cozy. My idea of a good time is to curl up in blankies, read books and sip hot tea.

I try to turn my Type A brain off and not think about what will happen if I'm stuck at home until Wednesday and beyond.

I pray for linemen out in the weather keeping electricity going.

I pray for EMT's and first responders that they will have no accidents or work to do.

Most of all, I pray we are all sheltered underneath His wings.

What are you praying this weekend?

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday community's prompt, "unusual" The post was written in 5 minutes; looking up scripture and creating the graphic took longer.

~~

May I pray for you before I go?

² He sang:
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; 
³     my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,

    the one who saves me from violence.

⁴ I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,

    and he saved me from my enemies. 

2 Samuel 22:2-4 New Living Translation

Lord,

When I discover all Your attributes, all that You are, it inspires trust. Who else can be my rock, my savior, my protection and place of safety? I am so thankful we can call on You and You will save us from our enemies.

There is no one like You! We will love and praise You forever!

Today, I stand on Your Word and claim protection and safety for my readers and their loved ones. Keep them safe from storms in the outside world, and storms in their personal lives.  We live in a world where the enemy works overtime sowing seeds of doubt, discouragement and despair. Let not a one of us fall prey to his lies.

Holy Spirit, please keep our eyes and attention focused on You. In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Also, I'm thrilled to tell you the book, "A Family's Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," is now available. One of the chapters in that book was written by me; and I now have an Amazon author's page that has all the details. Click here.

Christmas is over, yet The Advent Collection - hope, peace, joy and love is still available and speaks to the waiting soul. You will find stories that will warm your heart and focus on God's fulfilled promise. This is a book you can revisit each advent and glean hope. My contribution is in the peace section of the book.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

The Shield of My Defense

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1 New King James Version

Note: shield means protecter, defense, literally the scaly hide of a crocodile!
 
Abba,
 
I thank You for being my protector. You safeguard in so many ways – even those I cannot see or when I am unaware.
 
I also praise You for Your promise for trusting You – an exceedingly great reward. Sometimes it might not feel we are living a life of great reward; but oh! If we had spiritual eyes to see, we might be amazed at the things You’ve done for us – the path You have smoothed for us – the pitfalls You kept us from sliding in – the goodness and mercy racing to overtake us!
 
One day, we will sit at Your feet and learn these things. But for now, we just trust they are happening because You are a good, good Father, full of hesed – unfailing love.
 
Thank you to infinity and beyond.
 
In Jesus’ name, I pray, so be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Also, I'm thrilled to tell you the book, "A Family's Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," is now available. One of the chapters in that book was written by me; and I now have an Amazon author's page that has all the details. Click here.

Christmas is over, yet The Advent Collection - hope, peace, joy and love is still available and speaks to the waiting soul. You will find stories that will warm your heart and focus on God's fulfilled promise. This is a book you can revist each advent and glean hope. My contribution is in the peace section of the book.

Sharing at InstaEncouragements Link-Up

What's On Your Horizon?

 

In my home church, Bro. Sidney Callis used to say this during testimony service: "This world is not my home, I'm just a stranger passing through."

Saint Peter would agree with him. He said this:

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 English Standard Version

A sojourner, an exile, a temporary resident, is someone who is living in a location for only a little while. This isn't their home. They are just waiting for things to fall into place so they can go home.

As a believer, I know I'm not home yet. The longing to go home grows every day. But though I'm ready spiritually to be at home; there are things left undone here. So, I keep on keeping on, making Home as my focus. 

I don't want to get distracted. I want to remember that this is not all there is. 

So when things go wrong, as they often do, I must regard it as just a blip on my radar. I'm just passing through. I cannot get bogged down.

What about you? What is on your horizon? I know none of us know our earthly futures; but we can know our heavenly futures.

I hope you make the choice to join me on the journey home. It will be so worth it!

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:13-16 English Standard Version

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday community's prompt, "horizon" The post was written in 5 minutes; looking up scripture and creating the graphic took longer.

~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Also, I'm thrilled to tell you the book, "A Family's Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," is now available. One of the chapters in that book was written by me; and I now have an Amazon author's page that has all the details. Click here.

Christmas is over, yet The Advent Collection - hope, peace, joy and love is still available and speaks to the waiting soul. You will find stories that will warm your heart and focus on God's fulfilled promise. This is a book you can revist each advent and glean hope. My contribution is in the peace section of the book.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

A Prayer for Shade

 

The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. Psalm 121:5 NLT

Abba,
 
I stand on Your Word; so, I believe You are watching over everything happening in my life. You are protecting me – even from bad decisions because you know my heart is to honor You.
 
When the heat of humiliation threatens to overwhelm me, Your shade will protect me.
 
You are watching over me and only allowing what is best for me to touch me.
 
Help me to remember this. Don’t let me get stuck when I wonder if I took the wrong steps. Help me keep moving forward, always keeping my eyes on You. If I have not seen what You want me to see, I pray you will open my eyes and heart to see them.
 
Help me to get Home to You with honor.
 
In Jesus’ mighty name, so be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

TThanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Also, I'm thrilled to tell you the book, "A Family's Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," is now available. One of the chapters in that book was written by me; and I now have an Amazon author's page that has all the details. Click here.

Christmas is over, yet The Advent Collection - hope, peace, joy and love is still available and speaks to the waiting soul. You will find stories that will warm your heart and focus on God's fulfilled promise. This is a book you can revist each advent and glean hope. My contribution is in the peace section of the book.

Sharing at InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Mend Your Fences

 

The dictionary defines the idiom, mend your fences, as to improve or repair a relationship that has been damaged by an argument or disagreement.

As a believer, I believe Jesus is all about reconciliation and wants us to live in harmony with others.

But things happen. A rift in a relationship occurs. You may feel it's the other person's fault. Here is why you should want to repair a relationship:

Relieves a burden of bitterness - Harboring unforgiveness is like drinking poison. It is you that suffers the effects, not the other person. Getting the conflict resolved lightens the load.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:15 NLT

Because you want to be forgiven - The bible clearly teaches if we want to be forgiven, we must forgive our brother. It says nothing about whether the brother deserves forgiveness.

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 NLT

It doesn't get plainer than that!

Brings a reward – Scripture teaches us the principle, blessed are the peacemakers. Instead of stewing in our own juices of resentment, being reconciled brings us the blessing of a heart free from the burdens conflict brings. Definitely a blessing!

And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18 NLT

Mend your fences - peace and righteousness will spread! 

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday community's prompt, "mend" The post was written in 5 minutes; looking up scripture and creating the graphic took longer.

~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Also, I'm thrilled to tell you the book, "A Family's Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," is now available. One of the chapters in that book was written by me; and I now have an Amazon author's page that has all the details. Click here.

Christmas is over, yet The Advent Collection - hope, peace, joy and love is still available and speaks to the waiting soul. You will find stories that will warm your heart and focus on God's fulfilled promise. This is a book you can revist each advent and glean hope. My contribution is in the peace section of the book.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

I've Got a Good Thing Going

Have you ever woke up with clarity and direction from the Lord? If so, you've been visited in the night with the Lord's instruction!

The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.
Psalm 16:7-8 The Message

PS: The best way to get that Holy Spirit inspiration is to be thinking about Him as you fall asleep.

Father,
 
So thankful You give us counsel and confirmation. Please, Holy Spirit, give us good discernment, and let us act on the counsel You give us.
 
Where is there a God like You? There is no Rock to hold onto but You. We will cling with all our might to You. Protect us and guide us. We are also grateful that You have said You would never leave us nor forsake us. (See Hebrews 13:5)
 
Therefore, as we begin this new year, we will not be shaken by the negativity around us. We know You got this!
 
We love You with all our hearts. In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

 Happy New Year to all!

Could you take a small break and enter in the comments what types of posts you would like to see on the Journey in 2026? More biblical insights? More essays and thoughts of daily life? Or, more scripture-based prayers? Let me know if there is a topic on your heart. I'm here to serve you.

Sharing at Sweet Tea & Friends, Remember Me Monday InstaEncouragements Link Up Let's Have Coffee