One Word 2026

Before I dive into the new year and focus for 2026, I would be remiss to not reflect on the year that was 2025.  As noted in my One Word post from last year, we were gearing up for a BIG year.  But no one could have prepared us for the amount of BIG and CHANGE that was on the horizon.  The challenges, the losses, the blessings, and the triumphs.   

I can't begin to count the number of times I muttered the words, "This WAS NOT on my 2025 BINGO card."  We navigated it all knowing we were pushing ONWARD - Continually seeking spiritual growth and maturity; Remaining steadfast in faith during trials and uncertainties; Actively participating in the mission to spread the Gospel; Trusting in God's guidance and provision for the future.  God provided every time.   

Maybe not in the ways we expected, and definitely in His own time, but we came out the other side stronger, smarter, better prepared, and changed for good.  Heck, I even got my first tattoo - in VEGAS!  And that was not even close to the most exciting thing that happened all year.  This blog carries the highlights, and my heart is ready to move into 2026.

CONNECTING.

For 2026, Connecting is my word.

Because love, leadership, faith, and purpose are all built the same way—
one intentional thread at a time

Connection is where purpose takes shape. It’s the quiet thread that draws us closer to God, binds us to one another, and reminds us we were never meant to walk alone. When we choose to connect—intentionally and faithfully—we strengthen what holds us together and discover the beauty of being woven into something greater than ourselves.

Connection with God

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
— Psalm 63:1 (ESV)

Connection begins with longing. A daily, intentional seeking that recognizes our dependence on God—not out of obligation, but out of thirst.

Connection with God begins with desire. Psalm 63:1 captures a faith that is not passive, but deeply personal—an earnest seeking rooted in spiritual thirst. Like a dry and weary land longing for water, our souls are designed to crave God’s presence, not just His provision. In a world full of noise and distraction, Connecting with God means intentionally drawing near, choosing time with Him, and acknowledging our dependence on Him for renewal and life. When we seek Him first, He meets us in the quiet places and restores what has grown weary within us.

Connection with Other Believers (The Body of Christ)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
— John 13:34–35 (ESV)

Connection is how faith becomes visible. Love—lived out in community—is the mark that sets believers apart.

Connection with other believers is not optional, It is a defining mark of our faith. Jesus makes it clear that love is how the world recognizes His disciples, not by our words alone but by how we care for, support, and show up for one another. Connecting within the Body of Christ means choosing grace, unity, and intentional relationship, even when it requires patience or vulnerability. When we love as Christ loves, our connection becomes a living testimony of His presence among us. 

Unity, Growth, and Mutual Support

“Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.”
— Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)

Connection refines us. We are shaped, strengthened, and sharpened through intentional relationships that challenge and encourage us to grow.

Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that transformation doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in relationship. Just as iron sharpens iron through contact and friction, we are refined through intentional connections with others who encourage us, challenge us, and walk alongside us in faith. Connecting means allowing ourselves to be known and shaped within community. It’s in trusted relationships that we gain perspective, receive encouragement, and are lovingly challenged to grow beyond our comfort zones. Growth can be uncomfortable at times, but it is in that sharpening process that our faith deepens and our character is strengthened. 

I’m grounding my word for 2026 in this promise:

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
— James 4:8 (ESV)

This verse captures the heart of Connecting—a faith that moves toward God with intention and trust, knowing that every step we take toward Him is met with His faithful presence. 

As I move into 2026, this is the posture I want to live from: drawing near, staying connected, and allowing God to meet me in every relationship and season ahead.

Connecting means living as God designed—intimately rooted in Him and intentionally woven into community—where love, vulnerability, and shared faith strengthen us to reflect Christ to one another and the world. 2026 will be transformative, marked by both significant changes ahead and relationships that are still fresh, new, and growing. Leaning into connection is how I will steward what matters most, ensuring the sustainability of the relationships I hold dear. Holding this truth—and myself—accountable is at the heart of my goals for 2026.

As I do every year, it is time to look back over my one word posts from years past to see how I came to use them as my focus for the year and to assess outcomes.  How well I was able to maintain that focus.  What God brought me to or brought me through because of my one word.  How my family changed and grew from my yearly focus.  Here is a list of the previous posts, if you are interested:

2025 - Onward

2024 - Discernment

2023 - Celebrate!

2022 - satisfied

2021 - hope

2020 - breath

2019 - listen

2018 - welcome

2017 - closer  (I was anxious, and blog-averse, as we opened 2017, so it's a short FB post)

2016 - greater

2015 - brave

2014 - joyful

2013 - resolution

My intential focus for 2026 is connection.  In my heart, in my house, in my personal relationships and my professional growth.  We are stronger together.  I am letting go of things that were never meant to be mine and leaning in to those who are willing to invest in me - flaws and all.  Along the way to isolating Connecting as my One Word, I also explored these other words: Bridging – deliberate, symbolic effort; Linking – gentle and steady; Uniting – closeness despite distance; Reaching – hopeful and tender; Spanning – poetic, distance overcome; Weaving – care, patience, intention; Threading – delicate connection across space; Spanning – love that stretches and holds.  

Connecting isn’t just about relationships, conversations, or bridges built between people. It’s about daily choosing proximity over distance—leaning in, reaching out, weaving intentional nearness with God and with others.

Because the most meaningful connections are formed when we take the first step…
and trust that God will close the distance.

Living as God designed—intimately rooted in Him and intentionally woven into community—where love, vulnerability, and shared faith strengthen us to reflect Christ to one another and the world.