As 2026 has rolled in and under way, I have so much to celebrate! I hope you do, too. Every moment and every second has not been easy breezy, but at a little over two weeks in, I am beyond grateful! I have seen prayers answered that were so earnestly prayed for that I feel I cannot even bring to God the fervency of praise that He deserves.
Two weeks ago today, we were gifted with our first grand-baby! He is so sweet and precious. With the advent and birth of a new baby comes excitement, but also questions and concerns, but this little fellow is perfectly created. However, the labor and delivery was not as perfect as we hoped for our daughter. Having said that, this mama’s heart wrenched at wanting so badly for her time to be easy…before, during, and after. When things are beyond our control, the only—and best—thing we can do is pray—and trust. So, after the little guy’s birth, the joy (for me) was diminished to a degree due to the concern for my daughter’s recovery. Fast forward two weeks, my daughter is improving; and she and her husband are such good little parents. God has answered prayers upon prayers.
This past week, in particular, has been good, but almost hard to fully describe. It hasn’t all been hunky dory, but in actuality, I have had some great learning experiences that have brought this heart into celebration mode!
There are times in our lives when we contemplate our own actions and that of others. Those are times we must seek God to bring clarity. So this new year has brought a variety of emotions from concerns and contemplations to seeking guidance, to joy and celebrating. I think that when we are following Jesus as Lord in surrender, there is an underlying joy even in difficult circumstances. We may have concerns and sadness, but the joy we find in Him is built in.
This week has brought enlightenment and peace. Sometimes, it is things we may already know, but He gently reminds and reiterates. I sought the Lord for understanding in a situation, and He brought reassurance and confirmation that, when I seek Him and His will, He will guide me and direct me.
I have no desire to be unaware of my faults and errors/missteps. So, when situations are hard to understand, it isn’t always easy to know; but this week I found peace in trusting that when I examine myself and pray, I can trust Him to show me. I love that He places the right scriptures and the right people in our path at just the right time. I love that He sees and cares…more than we can realize.
“I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.”
Jeremiah 10:23-24 NLT
“But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.”
1 Corinthians 11:31-32 ESV
I have been reminded this week how important it is to steward our gifts well, and I recognized the unity that can come when we embrace our gifts and that of others. In reference to Jeremiah 10:23 above, along with 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 and chapter 12, it is so important to remember that God has placed us, and gifted each of us. We each have our own tasks, and when we each do our part, we can function together and be a light that the darkness cannot hide. I want to strive for that…stewarding my gifts, and supporting others as they use theirs.
“For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.”
1 Corinthians 9:16-17 ESV
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ESV
““I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
John 17:20-21 NLT
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5 ESV
I have been challenged to love better. In reading 1 Corinthians 13, I am thankful that I see growth in this area (especially in new ways this past year) for which I am very thankful…it feels good to love better; but I also see where there is room for more…allowing the Holy Spirit to work His wonder from the inside out.
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
I have been reminded that I cannot change people, nor is it my assignment to do so. I can offer encouragement and advice, but it is beyond my realm of duty to make them accept it. However, I have also been reminded over and over, that it is ok to set healthy boundaries when necessary to protect our peace and/or have time with Jesus.
I have been blessed with snow. As I am on a “long winter’s break” from my work at the shop, I felt that God 100% surprised me with a snow this week that felt like a snow globe during a hard shake. It was so beautiful, and I was so thankful that I was able fully embrace it and take it in, that it brought tears to my eyes.
I had the opportunity this week to join others across our nation in prayer for the issues and conditions happening around the world…to pray for other Christians who are being persecuted and seeking freedom to follow. The freedom to openly follow Jesus, to write about Him, to talk about the Good News, is a privilege that we should never take for granted.
As I sat here today, on a rare Saturday at home [ (during my “long winter’s break”) (insert happy face)], I have reflected on what I learned, or where I have put down deeper roots this week. I thought about our new bundle of joy that I held again yesterday. I enjoyed some sunshine and jazz as the wind whipped outside. My heart celebrates. It’s funny how we can be deeply concerned, contemplating, and seeking God for guidance and help that only He can bring, and then—in an instant…He can bring peace and hope and healing—and celebration!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4 ESV
Simply Celebrate With Jackie 