💌 You’re Not Walking Into This Year Alone

Hey friend!

You know how we start out the year with high hopes that THIS YEAR is going to be different?

This year, we’re going to eat healthier, wake up earlier, walk longer, scroll less, read the Bible more…

Truth is, we have no idea how 2026 is going to go.

And that unknown could be terrifying.

Or… it could be the best news ever.

What’s one hope you’re carrying into this year? If you want to name it somewhere safe, hit reply—I read every note.

Because God knows what’s coming.

And He promises to work every single part of our story for good.

Sometimes, though, it’s hard to see the good when we’re bombarded with bad news every day. So I thought I’d share some of my happies from 2025, in hopes they’ll help you recall God’s glorious goodness in your life too.

✨ Favorite Memory
Hiking up to Dream Lake at Rocky Mountain National on our SW camping trip. It was the hardest hike of my life—and all three of our kids did it with us! The view was phenomenal, and I was so proud of their stamina.

📖 Best Thing I Read
An Unhurried Life by Alan Fadling (it took me about three months, but hands-down the best book I read in 2025).1

And The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (not yet finished and not from a Christian POV, but such a helpful guidebook for blocked creatives).

📝 Best New Habit
Journaling (almost) every day.

After years of struggling to journal consistently, The Artist’s Way’s “morning pages” habit gave me permission to just… write. I filled five journals in 2025 alone. Pages not for public consumption, but sacred spaces to lay my heart bare—and to hear Jesus comforting, correcting, and guiding me in deeply personal ways.

🎶 Song on Repeat
“Up!” by Forrest Frank and Connor Price
(I have tweens in my household these days—what can I say?)

🍽️ Best Meal or Recipe
These Chicken Shawarma Bowls have been on repeat at our house. They’re perfect for a summer cookout, for guests, or for meal prepping.

🎉 Milestone Celebrated
Flaviu and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.
I celebrated a whole year-long sabbatical Year of Jubilee.
And I signed a new book contract (yippee!!)—which means new books will be coming soon. I can’t wait to tell you more soon!

👀 Goal Sneak Peek for 2026
We’ve got more fun family trips and more book writing this year, but I’m most excited to be reading through the Bible in a year with my twelve-year-old daughter.

Last year at the True Woman ‘25 Conference she committed to do a Bible read-through with Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and thousands of women around the world. Talk about proud mama moment. 🥹

Before you keep reading, pause for a moment:

Where did you see God’s goodness last year—even in small ways?

You might jot it down… or whisper a quiet thank-you prayer right where you are.

As I ended the year reflecting on 2025, I kept returning to Psalms 126:

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Our mouths were filled with laughter then,
and our tongues with shouts of joy. […]

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.
Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed,
He will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.”

If you’ve been around here for a while, you might remember that a few years ago I struggled through severe burnout, a mysterious illness, and deep hopelessness. I was ready to shut down our online ministry. To become a hermit. That season felt like a downward spiral into darkness and despair.

But God.

At my lowest, He was nearest, even when I didn’t feel Him. Jesus, ever the Faithful Friend, walked with me at the slow pace of love.

And He brought me out of that season of sorrow into a spacious place of abundant joy.

(If you’re still waiting for your “spacious place,” friend, you are not behind. God is not in a hurry with your healing.)

Truly, those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy!

What a great reversal.

As I look back over 2025, I can’t help but see how God reversed every plan the enemy had for evil and turned it for good (see Genesis 50:20). He has filled our home with laughter and our lives with His choicest blessings.

The King of the Universe delights in giving His children good gifts.

I know many in our community are walking through deep sadness, grief, and loss. If that’s you, I’m so sorry you’re carrying so much, friend.

And you are not alone.

The Good Shepherd has never left your side.
The Man of Sorrows grieves with you.
Our Great High Priest intercedes for you when you have no words.

Emmanuel is with you in the darkness.

Know that the night won’t last forever.
The sun will rise on the horizon.
The seeds planted in tears, you’ll reap with shouts of joy.

And the One who holds your future will wipe every tear and reverse every curse and restore laughter to your heart.

I know He’ll do it for you—because He promises it in His Word, and because He did it for me too.

Joy is closer than you think.

Regardless of what 2026 holds—for us, for our countries, or for our world—we can trust the One who holds us, and our tomorrows.

Because His Word always holds true.

May I pray the blessing of Psalm 128 over you as you begin this year? (You might place a hand over your heart and receive this blessing as your own today.)

“How happy is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in His ways!
You will surely eat what your hands have worked for.
You will be happy and it will go well for you.”
Psalm 128:1-2 CSB

Amen.

So may it be, for you and for me, and for all we love.

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Starting a Bible reading habit can feel overwhelming, especially at the beginning of a new year. If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure where to start, I made something just for you.

In my newest video, I’m sharing three simple steps that helped me finally build a rhythm of time in the Word I actually look forward to.

I’m featuring the CSB Women’s Study Bible—a beautiful, full-color resource created by women and for women, filled with helpful notes, timelines, maps, and more—to walk you through this simple, doable approach.2

Whether you’re starting fresh or starting over, this is a grace-filled place to begin.

👉 Watch the video here

👉 Join the waitlist for Planted in His Word if you’d love more structure and support

Simple delights from our team to you.

• Whether I’m washing dishes at the kitchen sink or curled up on the couch with a good book, this fluffy robe is making the colder months just a bit cozier! —Kaitlyn

• My mom gave me the sweetest gift for Christmas this year and made homemade candles. Every time I light one of the candles and the smell fills my house it just brings me a little hug from my mom. —Hannah

• Years ago, I was instagram-influenced to buy this food chopper, not sure if it’d live up to the hype or end up in the “donate” bin. Friends, I’ve used this every single week since 2021, sometimes multiple times a day. It makes meal prep a snap, and even my kids like helping out. —Asheritah

• This is the time of year when my husband and I love using our weighted blanket on our bed. There’s nothing better than slipping under it during the cold winter months—it feels like a giant, cozy hug. Our daughter received a kid-sized weighted blanket for Christmas this year, and she loves it just as much! —Kathryn

• Last week we ran out of dish soap and I picked up the Clementine scented Mrs. Meyers from Target. I know it sounds silly, but the scent makes me smile on dreary winter days when I do the dishes. —Asheritah

What’s one small joy lighting up your days lately? Comment below and share. We may include reader glimmers in a future issue.

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Let’s be honest: January has a way of making us think we should wake up on January 1 magically transformed. New Bible reading plan. New prayer habit. New us.

And then a few missed days later… discouragement creeps in, hope wavers, and we’re tempted to give up altogether.

Instead of quitting, what if we paused?

We’re giving away the Quiet Time Evaluation to help you do just that. This gentle worksheet helps you celebrate what’s working, get honest about what’s been hard, and prayerfully make small adjustments with Jesus instead of piling on guilt.

This isn’t about starting over.
It’s about continuing on—with grace, honesty, and hope.

Because He delights in you.
And you’re learning, day by day, to delight in Him.

If your quiet time feels tender, inconsistent, or messy, you’re exactly who this is for.

📥 Download the Quiet Time Evaluation — free, no login required

Want to explore the heart behind this resource even more? You can learn more about Delighting in Jesus here.

Let’s stay connected
If one sentence or Scripture stayed with you today, I’d love to know which one. Just hit reply or leave a comment.

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I’ve also started a monthly note sharing my favorite reads and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my writing life. If you enjoy books and faith intersecting, you’ll love it. You can catch the latest issue here.

If you know someone who’d enjoy this letter, feel free to forward it their way. ✨

With much joy,

Asheritah & Team

PS You’re not walking into this year alone. Thousands of us are choosing small, faithful steps with Jesus—right where we are. I’m so glad you’re here.

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