2026: What Lies Ahead?

2025 was a busy year, but aren’t they all?

My wife and I were able to accomplish some things on our “fixer upper” house, but still have quite a ways to go.

The Lawn: Years of neglect before us had turned our lawn into a mess of mole tunnels, ground ivy (“creeping Charlie”), weeds, and bare areas. I did two weed and feed treatments on the lawn and then hand pulled two dozen buckets of crabgrass. I could almost hear the lawn exhale every time I pulled one of those clumps of crabgrass, which was working to choke out the native grass. At the last mowing in October, the lawn was significantly better…hoping for healthy grass in 2026.

The Front walkway: I lifted and leveled the sinking concrete slabs out front, which was pooling water into the front porch…that was “no bueno”. Then I added 16” of pavers on either side to widen the sidewalk…the result was “bueno”, especially after adding a large flowerbed and planting native Michigan wildflowers. The birds and the bees were happy this year…and so was my wife!

The Countertops: We finally removed the aging laminate countertops in the kitchen. We replaced them with a white quartz countertop which also came with a new sink and faucet. What a difference! We’ve never had anything new in our lives, so watching new pieces get added to an older home is exciting. I’m currently laying out the wall grid to add a tiled backsplash around the kitchen counter. Glad to have a new project to chew on.

The Job: My work has been busy….thankful to have a job!

The Body: My body has been sick as of late, but am now over the respiratory cold and back on the treadmill and free weights three days a week. Am trying to keep FSHD Muscular Dystrophy at bay, but have noticed weakness prevailing in otherwise strong muscles. God knows and cares…all I can do is trust Him with the body He gave me.

Church: We have a new Pastor, he’s a younger man with a great wife and five children. He loves the Lord, has boundless energy, and is a terrific preacher! We’re blessed to have an excellent church family, and I hope that you have good brothers and sisters in Christ to fellowship with also.

This Blog: I’m still debating whether or not to turn this blog into a podcast devotional series. The Lord has given me that choice, but it would take a bit more of my time to produce.

There is a year ahead that requires expert navigation and a clear-eyed perspective. There is only one expert whose opinion matters: the Lord God Almighty. I can’t survive a single day in 2026 unless the Lord holds me fast and leads me through. Just as my physical home has many projects that require my planning and efforts to succeed, my faithful walk with God requires no less effort.

Actually, we all have that in common. Perhaps your earthly home is complete or you have different projects in life. Perhaps you’re retired and have no job to work every weekday. What we share as believers is our faith in Christ, and that faith will only mature in 2026 if we plan to work on it like a mission worthy of our finest efforts. Our first mission field is our own faith.

I hope that your new year is blessed by the hand of God Himself! Thanks to all who read this blog, and those who encourage me with your uplifting comments. I count you all as friends!