Enthusiastically, Dawn

It occurred to me this weekend that I never followed up on sharing my one word for 2026…

It’s March, and this year we are about halfway through Lent. Here on the coast of Rhode Island, we have the tease of Spring, but just barely. There is still a bite in the air, and resistant drifts of snow crouching like mischievous children who don’t want to leave the party. March can be a bitter pill, but for the return of the birds, and glimpses of sun peaking through the grey days.

I feel like this year so far has been one I feel I need to keep turning back and asking questions; I keep feeling like I need to watch my back despite the blessings I’ve experienced. I feel I need to fight to keep my eyes on the One whose eyes are always on me. Especially when I can’t understand the crazy turning world around me.

I like to get down to the beach on some mornings. I live close enough to see a beach sunrise every morning, but I don’t. Funny how life is like that. However, I will tell you when you will find me returning to find the sunrise. Give me a sucker punch of circumstance that sets me back, such as someone hacking into my computer or checking account paying money I don’t have to someone I don’t know, and guess what? You will find me at sunrise walking along the water’s edge, seeking answers, and reasons, for all the things I can’t understand, while filling my pockets with stones. And not just the smooth stones, but a few rough ones with jagged edges. It keeps me remembering that life isn’t always like the smooth, stones. Life often has some jagged edges, and rough spots. I’ve endured my share. But when I look out towards the horizon as the sun rises, I am reminded not only of the Lord’s promised new mercies. But the promise of His new mercies for me. I’m reminded of my great need for strength, hope and endurance for whatever mountain I stand before. I need to remind myself, the mountain may be big, but I am standing on God’s promises, not my sadness. Not my sense of loss, not my feelings. Oh, those feelings are big, and they have a story to tell, and even maybe those feelings need to come out…but more they need to be poured out in tears and requests to the, present, listening, invisible and awesome God who is silently sovereign in all things, at all times, in all ways.

I don’t know why things happen that are bad. Random stupid things that make no sense. Whether disease, or an accident. I don’t want to discuss the many different philosophical perspectives on this, but just call a spade a spade. The fact is not every life is filled with smooth stones. We all get our share of jagged rocks. Sometimes we step on them accidently, sometimes they are hurled at us.

I’m trying hard to see the beauty in the jagged edges, though they are cutting me, making me bleed and making me question God. But the fact is I am questioning Him. We are forever on speaking terms. At least I pray so. I am asking through the hard things, the really hard things, what gives, Lord? What gives? Father in Heaven, what gives?

How can we stand in faith and not fear before this unknown mountain? The place where lions prowl, where killers hide and stalk the unsuspecting. The place we live where we ourselves live in freedom, but cower in fear over unseen predators. The place where every fear finds its way into our view…whether by imagination or screen, or diagnosis, or threat. The place where your very identity can be stolen. But I rest in this truth…my soul belongs to Jesus.

And because my soul is spoken for…this mountain will move.

And if this mountain will not be moved, it is God’s will that I will prevail. So I tell the mountain to take a hike, because I have a Savior who is coming for me. And you can take my money, my stuff, my body, but what you can’t touch is the essence of who I am in Christ. I am His, and He will not be moved. My soul is owned by Jesus. Paid in full. Thank you, Jesus!

I know you need these words. I need them too. We need to tell the powers that be, that there is a King, and He is coming. No chaos will keep Him from coming, no threats will stand when He comes. He will put an end to the lies and every intention not aligned with Him. Every knee will bow before Him, and He will be radiant. And by His grace and for His glory we who have trusted and hoped in Him, and we who continue in the face of every evil thing we see and experience will rise up and be radiant with Him! Oh, Lord I pray you make it so. Amen.

Friends, my word for 2026 is Radiant. I am not feeling it, but I am asking for God to make it so in me, for me and through me. Let me know how you are doing with your 2026 Word if you have one.

Otherwise, thank you for reading. I never know where I will land when I start typing but I pray the Lord spoke to you in some way.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1 (NIV)

Enthusiastically, Dawn