HEALING HEARTS: My One Word for 2026: ABIDE

The sun will be rising on a new year, 2026! 

 December 31, 2025

Every year I choose, or I ask God for, one word for the new year; a word that will be useful, meaningful, and with a purpose that I can apply to living everyday. A word that I can focus and meditate on, one that will help me grow in my faith journey.

Tonight I said to God, “What’s my one word for this coming year?” and I went on reading on my Kindle.  

Within one minute, I heard, “Abide.” 

Oh my! I was surprised that God answered so quickly! I love the word abide and I’m so happy that God’s response was quick and sure. 

I looked up the word. Abide is in the Bible; it means to remain, dwell, stay connected, and continue in a relationship with God and His Word, drawing life and power from Him. Like a branch connected to a vine, leading to spiritual fruitfulness and steadfastness in faith. It’s not just a one-time decision but an active, ongoing, intimate connection of living in, by, and through Christ’s presence and commands. 

Key meanings of abide: 

1 Remain or to dwell: to stay in a place or state, emphasizing a continuous presence, like dwelling in God’s presence. Psalm 91:1. 

2 Stay connected: to be vitally linked to Jesus (the Vine) for life and fruit, as taught in John 15:4-5. 

3 Live by or through: to live in, by, and through God’s Word and Spirit, making it your daily source of life. 1 John 3:24. 

4 Stand Firm: to persist in faith, love, and commitment, holding fast against opposition. 1 John 4:15. 

With faith and obedience, abiding involves confessing Jesus as the Son of God and keeping His commandments showing a firm commitment. It’s about maintaining fellowship with Jesus so He can produce fruit in and through you. Relying on Jesus’ grace and life-giving presence, not your own strength will help you bear spiritual fruit. 

So, I declare ABIDE is my one word that I will continually focus on, pray about, and chase this coming new year. I love the word, and of course it's perfect….because it comes from our Heavenly Father, the giver of all things good! 

Happy New Year and may your year be filled with all good things and overflowing with God’s abundant blessings. Amen! 

 

HEALING HEARTS: Walking My Faith Journey

 

Walking My Faith Journey

To God be the glory! I must proclaim what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will continue to do as I walk this faith journey on earth.

I have come to a place in my life where I depend completely on God. I no longer believe that I am in control of my own life.

Seven months ago, my sweet daughter, Stephanie, was tragically taken in a car accident. Not long after her passing, I sat in my recliner, overwhelmed and asking myself, What am I going to do now? In that quiet moment, the Lord spoke clearly to my heart. He showed me something I hadn’t wanted to see: I had placed all my trust and dependence on Stephanie.

You see, I had moved just to be near her. We had planned that she would care for me in my older years. She was a nurse, she knew my health history, and she always went with me to my appointments. She kept up with me in ways only a daughter could.

So when Stephanie died, I felt lost—anxious, nervous, and uncertain about my future. I thought without her, I couldn’t go on. But one evening, as I cried and worried, the Lord gently but firmly revealed the truth: I had made an idol of my daughter. It wasn’t Stephanie who took care of me—it was Him.

In that moment, I heard in my spirit, “O you of little faith!” I was stunned, but I knew it was true. I repented, ashamed of having placed my faith in the wrong place. Yet that revelation opened my eyes. God reminded me that He alone is in control of the universe. He gives, and He takes away.

That day I began to claim the promise of Psalm 23:1:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Looking back over my life, I see how true this has been. I’ve always had what I needed—spiritually rich, blessed beyond measure—all because of God’s grace, generosity, mercy, and love.

From that day forward, I began to lift my eyes to Him. I praise the Lord for His goodness, His care, His mercy, and His unfailing love.

Romans 15:13 has become my anchor:
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him.”

Over the past seven months, I’ve walked through sorrow, anger, fear, and uncertainty. There were days when grief made me physically sick. But God’s Word has carried me.

Now I can say with confidence:

• I have hope for a spiritually rich future.
• I have joy because God hears and answers my prayers.
• I have peace about Stephanie’s death, knowing she was saved and baptized—and that I will see her again one day.
• I have trust that the Lord will guide me each step of the way.

That is enough for me to keep walking this journey until the Lord calls me home. Amen.

Is there an idol in your life that keeps you from depending fully on God? Pray that if there is, He will show you so you can see the truth.