These first days of 2026 have been a quick series of happy little contrasts between cozy and crazy.
With the fridge full and the calendar clear, we've been able to quietly stay at home during blustery weather, playing Scrabble, doing puzzles, and catching up on the odd Christmas movie we hadn't got around to yet. After a significantly demanding fall, these simple joys are not taken for granted, especially as it only reinforces our deep contentment with our snug little home.
The crazy part wasn't actually so crazy. Having Jayden and Timothy for a sleep over went so smoothly, especially considering we are still finding the best ways to do this in our different configuration. There used to be an entirely separate room with bunkbeds and toy storage. Now there's the excitement of pushing the mattresses up from the crawl space through the hatch, and setting everything up on the floor of the front room between the couch and the fireplace. But at 8 and 5 respectively, the boys are more than happy to pitch in and help make it cozy. And it's especially helpful when the shelves Grandad is building double as something of a fort downstairs. Who knew?
All this is reassuring, since one of the big things we were worried about in the move was how it would change our opportunities for connecting with the grandkids like this. Add in a winter walk, a picnic supper on the floor, and a game of Bandito, not to mention a few goodies to snack on, and we all agreed it was a very successful sleepover!
Yesterday was recovery day. A good nap in the afternoon after the boys left, then a bit of a re-sort and put away of some of the Christmas decor. Not all, because I'm not quite ready for that yet, even though we did take down the Christmas tree to make room for the mattresses. I did find two 'extra' strands of lights that I'd put away in a strange place when we first moved in, and therefore didn't use for my decorating at the beginning of this season. So I thought I'd see how they might help add to some winter ambiance.
So, one in the bedroom around the window.
And one around the cabinet in the same corner where the Christmas tree was. I'm liking it!
A big part of what I miss when we have to take down the Christmas tree is the soft light coming from that corner of the room. There's an obvious benefit to some extra light during these very short days of solstice, and I've found keeping some of that going into January, February and even a little bit of March helps push back the dreary in helpful ways.
And all of it -- reflecting on the holidays, re-setting the house a little, putting up extra lights, mapping out my list for next week -- is really about doing what I can to lean into what is shaping up to be a positive start to this new year ahead. Preparing what I can. Making space for what I can't know yet. Being hopeful and inspired and realistic and prudent. Providing light for myself along the way, and hopefully for others I might meet on the road.
I guess it's a little like letting the lights of the Christmas, and the coming of the Light Himself, shine longer into the deeper winter ahead.
And all of this takes me back to Isaiah 58, a truly anchoring text for what I believe keeps me focused on God's 'main thing.' In it, the prophet speaks for God in correcting His people about losing sight of the true worship of feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and releasing the oppressed. That's more than this one post can handle right now. But it's interesting that one of the promised outcomes of worshiping God through justice and equality is this:
"Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear,
then your righteousness will god before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard."
Isaiah 58:8
Sounds like something I'd want to be part of.
This morning our gathering as a faith community will be around food. Plenty for everyone. And a great time to say hello again after the holidays. This afternoon a nap is still in good order, considering the stepped up pace of the week to come. Plus, there's really only two weeks left before Ken and I hope to get on a plane and head over to Thailand. So I want to pace myself accordingly.
Oh yes, the new year has begun, and I'm all in for whatever God has in mind.
Happy New Year to all.
May you have many chances to shine brightly!
