Dear Lord,
It is late at night, and I still wonder why it is taking me so long to find my 2026 One Little Word. I usually find my guiding word before the end of December. Other times, the word finds me. You know that this past year was a series of ups and downs, so I need assurance that one of the six words surrounding me (space, healing, restore, peace, quietude, forward) will be a positive guide for 2026. The following poem has undergone numerous revisions. God, can you please help me choose a word to kick off this new year?
Searching for My 2026 One Word
winter white snowfalls
mask earth's terrain
silent thoughts call
from nature's domain
in this sacred pause
nothing agitates
sweet stillness because
it is time to wait
soft clouds slip away
swaying in sky's glow,
and without delay,
prepares a grand show
one little word nears,
restore, stands with pride
ready to lead and guide
I offer it loud cheers
draft ©cvarsalona, 2026
God, I think I understand now. Restore is an effective, actionable guiding word. With your intervention, my OLW will inspire me to make meritable choices daily. The task of restoring my mind, body, and heart is challenging but essential. I turn to Psalm 51:12. "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
Now that I am starting bereavement therapy, I feel hopeful beyond tears to continue my spiritual journey. As a faithful traveler who believes, I can successfully restore my joy of living. With your help, I will be able to rise from the chaos of loss. Thank you for listening and supporting my spiritual journey. You know that it is difficult for me to enjoy winter with a fractured ankle and grey skies, but I am trying.
_Carol
winter blues chaser
wanted to restore sunshine
gift of warmth
©CVarsalona, January 2026
Logo: Margaret Simonn
Photo:: Molly Hogan
This week's host of Spiritual Journey is Margaret Simon, who offers a beautiful original poem that floats with peace and her OLW.
AND
This week's host of the Poetry Friday Roundup is Ruth Hersey. She is sharing a poem, "Soulful Warming" by J. Drew L:anham.
Carol, I love the format of this post. It proves that prayers are answered. Restore has so many implications. Restore health. Restore spirituality. Restore faith in ourselves as well as others. Restore commitments we made to ourselves and others. I am sure that your word will guide you as you restore your life after the rough year you have had. God is always there to help if we just ask. Wishing you well on your journey through 2026. Bob
ReplyDeleteBob, you gave me many avenues to find a purpose for my OLW, restore. I thank you for those thoughts and commenting on my format. It worked out well for me. I needed to lean on God and writing is my way of doing so. Happy 2026!
DeleteCarol, restore is a wonderful word for your year. And that last stanza of your poem is remarkable. Blessings as you begin bereavement therapy and let's hope for the restoration of that fractured ankle (and our fractured country). I love the verse you shared from Psalms.
ReplyDeleteRamona, thank you for your comment and blessings. I do want a willing spirit to sustain me so I must stay positive. I like that you added that we all need our fractured country to be restored. This a wish to pray upon. Have a happy rhythm when you are out walking.
DeleteAh, restore! It is a prayer all by itself. Carol, I’m lifting you up in this vital prayer-to RE-store, to find again the space within to gather all the feels-and find grace and gratitude. Amen.
ReplyDeleteThis post gives us a private audience to your inner struggles. Restore is a good word for you as you continue to navigate grief and physical challenges. I hope 2026 restores your soul. Thanks for sharing your most vulnerable self with us.
ReplyDeleteO, Carol, you are so smart & brave & creative. Restore fits your facts, perfectly. I love your letter to God & your contemplative verses [ plus the type]. I'm hoping 2026 is not only a year to restore delight & whimsey to your world, but I'm sure it's also a year where you will find the opportunity to help someone you love, even in some small way, restore.
ReplyDeleteyour big fan, JAN
Carol, I am sorry about your ankle and your grey skies. I'm glad "restore" came through for you and will accompany you during 2026. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us the sacred space of your prayer. I love the word RESTORE as a OLW.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I am reading this with such tenderness for you and your journey...I'm glad "restore" found you. Keep going! xo
ReplyDeleteCarol, a confession: I stopped choosing a OLW several years ago after "awe" found me. To me it could not be topped. I wrote about it across several years. I well remember the struggle of trying to choose a OLW and so I will only take one if it comes to me. In fact, a new little word did come this year. I recognized it right away! And I rejoice with the word that found you: Restore. God's whole business is restoration, after all. Your verse so poignantly illustrates it - I used to sing Psalm 51:10-12 as a young newlywed and still hear it playing in my mind from time to time, several times a week. I am so sorry about your ankle - yet, your quiet verses sing and dance to the rhythms of God's grace. The bereavement therapy will give you another layer of strength in this gray stillness which is temporary... the sun will break through. Blessings and healing to you, my friend. Thank you for always blessing us.
ReplyDelete"Restore" is such a beautiful word, pregnant with hope, and bereavement therapy is such a good idea, a gift. xo
ReplyDeleteOh, Carol, your poem is so beautiful and uplifting, a prayer revealing your word, restore. I felt like reading your poem filled in and restored some chinks that were missing inside me. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCarol, this is a perfect word. I love the gentleness of it and the path to get there. May restore be a guide
ReplyDeleteDuring therapy.