2026 Word of the Year
I've been doing a "word of the year" for ten years now. Wow... That's kinda hard to believe. It's been an interesting experiment to say the least. I about quit a few years in because I started feeling like those words were jinxing me!
I'll give you a rundown of the past years in conjunction with those words, but first... Why have a word for the year anyway?
Focus.
You've heard the mantra, "No plan is a plan to fail." There are more variations, I'm sure. A lot of people make New Year's resolutions, but few follow through. Once you get a few months (or sometimes it's only weeks) down the road, you're always disappointed with yourself and feeling like a failure. Sound familiar?
God wants us to have a goal.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Corinthians 9:24
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
You can't acquire a prize if you don't have a goal.
A Kingdom Goal
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
1530s, "end point of a race," of uncertain origin. It appears once before this (as gol), in a poem from early 14c. and with an apparent sense of "boundary, limit." Perhaps from Old English *gal "obstacle, barrier," a word implied by gælan "to hinder" and also found in compounds (singal, widgal). That would make it a variant or figurative use of Middle English gale "a way, course." Also compare Old Norse geil "a narrow glen, a passage."
Is that not fitting?
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14
Uncertanty
A few years into having a "word of the year," and I was so discouraged. The world seemed to be crumpling around me. Why on earth was I doing this? Why set goals or have dreams if everything was just going to fall apart?
Are you feeling this way? I get it.
That's why I'm hosting the Remnant’s Guide to Readiness: Practical Preparedness for Set-Apart Families this year. It is a step-by-step guide for families reclaiming a legacy of preparedness, faith, and sustainable living in uncertain times.
The first one is Jan. 9th, 2026 at 6 p.m. CST. (But don't worry if you are reading this later, there will be more. Register to get on the waiting list for the next one.)
Now, for the history of my words during the last 10 years:
2015 = Joy ...my mother died... I struggled with my health all year long. By fall, my hair was falling out so bad I had to buy a wig for the whole next year just to feel presentable. We found out she had cancer at the beginning of November, and she was gone by the end of the month.
2016 = Prepare ...lol... I thought I was ready for this one, even with everything that happened the year before. BOY was I wrong! I was recovering, getting my hormones in order and trying to figure out how to properly grieve a woman I had a really odd relationship with. Our finances were in awful shape, so bad that I ended up getting a part-time job as an emergency dispatcher. I hated leaving home.
2017 = Intrepid ...oh, #$%@!!!... I thought I was going to take this year by the horns, but then... January Ice storm in our whole area without electricity for two weeks. Then, in March, a wildfire hit that devastated our world and my husband's business. My dear Father-in-Love passed away in April. Then we had to put a protective order on my dad and send him out of our lives for good.
2018 = Simplicity For financial reasons, I went from a part-time job as a dispatcher to a full-time newspaper reporter, and our two oldest daughters got engaged. I cried the whole 30-minute drive to work every single Monday morning.
2019 = Fearless ...Two of our oldest daughters' weddings were months apart as I was training and learning journalism. By the end of the year, I was seeing some very concerning things.
2020 = & Best ... Kinda two words... Not one but TWO grand-babies were born, plus I started a new podcast and several projects, on top of full-time journalism during one of the craziest years in history.
2021 = Chosen ... I started a course and letter-writing challenge, which ended up becoming a book later. Censorship was making honest journalism very difficult.
2022 = Contagious ... Tounge and cheek here for fun after resigning from the newspaper. I wanted the victory, peace and contentment I have in my life to overflow into the lives of others.
"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." 1 Peter 3:14-16
2023 - “If a book is well written, I always find it too short.” Jane Austen ... Yes, I picked a whole quote instead of just one word. Between writing, researching, reading, and spending time with our sweet family, this was justified.
2024 - Fun ... not really a word, but an acronym.
Felicitous
Unshakable
Nonconforming
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
8057. simchah (sim-khaw'): joy, gladness, mirth
2025 - Peculiar ... a word I can really get behind!
Exodus 19:5 - Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Deuteronomy 14:2 - For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
Deuteronomy 26:18 - And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
Titus 2:14 - Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1 Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
2026 - Cultivate
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6
In 2026, I will cultivate the life the Father has entrusted to me, rooting myself in HIS truth, tending the community He has placed in my care, and sowing generously with every gift He has given. I will honour HIM through steady creativity, consistent devotion, and fruitful work, trusting His promise that those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully. Every book written, every workshop offered, every handmade creation, every conversation, and every quiet act of obedience will be a seed sown into HIS Kingdom, for HIS glory, and for the strengthening of HIS people.
I'm starting this with:
Hosting the Remnant’s Guide to Readiness: Practical Preparedness for Set-Apart Families this year.
Having Prayer, Prep & Praise meetings every Sunday afternoon with the Members, Guild, and those in the Course.
Starting a book club meeting with those same members each week.
I'm so excited about these new events! Stepping a little out of my regular comfort zone to really spend time with people.
Do you have a "word of the year?" I would love to know what it is and your goals around it.
