#newbeginnings – I and Thou Reflections

Welcoming Small Beginnings

Affirmation

We welcome the quiet starts, the tiny shifts, the beginnings that don’t look like much — yet carry promise.

Reflection

Beginnings arrive softly. Like a whisper. A nudge. Or a seed tucked into soil that grows without even noticing–until one day it breaks through the soil as a green stem shoots up to the sky!

January inspires us to appreciate these small beginnings.
The ones that we don’t know yet.
The ones that don’t look like progress.
The ones that ask us to wait.

A small beginning might be:

a single prayer whispered when sleep won’t come
a new habit started, forgotten, and started again
a moment of clarity that shifts our direction
a tiny prayer book cover noticed in the middle of an art museum

These beginnings matter.
Why?
Because they become the seeds of transformation.
To what?
We may not know yet. And that makes small beginnings all the more wonderful.

Seize the day and wait to see what unfolds.

Prayer

God, help us welcome the small beginnings. Give us eyes to see the beauty in quiet starts as we trust the unfolding. Teach us to celebrate what is just beginning, even when it’s still tender and maybe not even seen yet. Grant us patience and hope. Today and for all the days to come. Amen.

*Image Credit: “Wind of the Spirit” found on* *yeshuachildart.com*

#NewBeginnings #Welcome #2026 #Faith #Reflections #Prayer #Affirmation #Seasons

Welcoming Joy, Again

Affirmation

Yesterday we welcomed joy. Today, we choose to notice it, remember it, and hold on to it.

Reflection

Joy often arrives in small, unexpected ways — and sometimes in the tiniest of places.

January invites us to do something new.
To experience joy in new ways.
Then, it calls us to hold on to that joy.
To carry it forward.

So, I asked my husband to take me on a date to the NC Museum of Art to see the Book of Esther exhibit. And so we went.

Then, the unexpected happened.

Joy.

In the tiniest of places.

There, tucked against the back wall, stood a glass case. Two small “metal objects” that seemed to be the “lock” for a prayer book, each intricately designed. And then a tiny cover (that once covered a prayer book) to the right. Perhaps made of pearl or stone. It had a pinkish hue. Mind you, these dated back to the 1600s. So, that fact alone left me in awe.

The cover looked no bigger than two inches by three inches. The carving alone captured my attention. I couldn’t make out the whole story, but it clearly held one. I was disappointed afterwards that I hadn’t taken a picture of it. But here is where the joy comes into play. I have the memory of that prayer book cover. And I can still feel the joy.

Today, we hold on to that kind of joy — the kind that whispers, “I’m here. Don’t rush past me. Stop. Take a peek. Maybe you’ll enjoy what you see.”

Prayer

God, help us notice the joy that we tuck into our pockets. A museum stub. A tissue with tears of joy. A few coins left from the change of a cup of coffee shared with a loved one. Teach us to treasure these pockets of joy. Amen.

*Photo Credit: Personal Photo taken* *at the NC Museum of Art*

#Joy #Prayer #Affirmation #NewBeginnings #Welcome #2026 #Faith #Seasons #Reflections

January is for Joy – Part 5

Joy in the Journey

How often have we been so focused on reaching a goal that we missed the little joys along the way?

So far, in our January is for Joy series, we have explored:

Joy in New Beginnings
Joy in The Present
Joy in the Deeper Meaning of Life
Joy in Relationships

If any of these were missed, now would be a great time to check them out. Each one is a quick two-minute read.

To recap, we’ve learned to jot down daily joys, ground ourselves with the five senses, connect spiritually through prayer, and cultivate joy through kindness and presence. Today, as we wrap up the series, let’s discuss finding joy in the journey.

Think about a road trip to the mountains. It’s a two-hour drive, but along the way, there’s an antique store that catches our eye. We could rush to our destination or stop, browse, and maybe find a hidden treasure.

Which choice brings more joy?

The adventure itself.
Each step forward. (And even backward, at times.)
Every small victory.
The lessons learned along the way.

James 1:2-4 reminds us,

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Stepping Stones

James says triumphs and trials are opportunities to shape our character and draw us closer to God. We can now see our experiences as stepping stones toward more joy. Wow! That is good news.

Here are a few simple ways to nurture joy:

* Celebrate small milestones – progress is progress, no matter how small.
* Be curious and open-hearted – view each new experience as an opportunity to learn.
* Reframe setbacks—treat them as stepping stones that build resilience and grace.
* Savor the process—reflect daily on the moments that make the journey meaningful.

This January, let’s take a moment to find the joy in our journey. It’s easy. Grab a journal each evening, and write down one moment that brought joy. It could be an act of kindness, a lesson learned, or a small win. It may even set us up for a year of abundant blessings.

Remember, joy isn’t just found at the end of the road. It is in every twist and turn along the way.

So, let the joy of new beginnings warm your heart. Let it fill you with hope and inspire you to embrace the journey, one moment at a time.

#January #Joy #NewBeginnings #BeinthePresent #TheDeeperMeaningofLife #Relationships #Journey #LifeJourney

The Joy of January – Part 4

Joy in Relationships

Remember our first love? The thrill, the pounding heart, the innocence of that first handhold and kiss? Our first loves fed our curiosity. Didn’t they? We discovered newness and adventure. A spark igniting a wildfire. Until the fire was extinguished.

So, how can we capture the feelings of “first loves” and keep the fire burning over decades of togetherness?

To find joy in a relationship, we must choose to chop the wood, lug the wood, and gently place the wood in a position to best fuel the fire. Then, we need to monitor the fire by lovingly poking and prodding so that oxygen keeps the fire burning. In other words, joy flourishes when we focus on giving rather than receiving, choosing selflessness over self-interest.

The Treasure of Joy

Joy is a treasure. And finding the joy in a relationship is a treasure worth cultivating. While the world often emphasizes independence, the Bible teaches the beauty of connection. Romans 12:10 reminds us:

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Such devotion can lead to profound joy when approached with kindness and genuine connection. Here are a few simple ways to cultivate joy in our relationships:

* Compliment our partner on a unique strength.
* Offer to help our partner with a mundane household task.
* Listen actively, and express ourselves with honesty and grace.
* Set aside time for deep, meaningful conversations.
* Share moments of gratitude, telling others what we appreciate about them.
* Do something together for others, like make a meal for a neighbor or volunteer at a community event.

This January, let’s take a moment to cultivate joy in our relationships. It’s easy. Each day, ask these questions: Who in our lives needs an extra dose of kindness or encouragement? How can we serve someone close in a meaningful way? Are we giving our full attention and love to the people who matter most?

Remember that kindness is a powerful way to spread joy. Whether it’s a kind word, a thoughtful note, or a small act of kindness, there is a ripple effect. Let us love one another and connect in ways where we can treasure the joy. After all, we can cultivate and nurture it our whole lives.

Let the joy of new beginnings warm our hearts, fill us with hope, and inspire us to treasure the joy in our relationships!

#January #NewBeginnings #Joy #Relationships #Kindness #Connection #LifeJourney

The Joy in January – Part 2

Joy in the Present Moment

How often do we reminisce about the past or worry about the future? Too often, it seems. Life moves so fast that we barely make time for the present. Yet, isn’t that where joy truly resides?

Joy isn’t hiding—it’s simply overlooked. We rush through life, consumed by work, errands, and endless to-dos, forgetting to pause and ask, Where is joy?

Joy is:

In the scent of a flower.
In the warmth of a smile.
In the sound of laughter.
In the stillness of the morning.

Joy is found when we slow down. Let’s challenge ourselves to pause, even for a moment. Here’s an idea. The next time we head to our car, let’s try this:

Open the door, but stop before getting in.
Look around.
What do we see?
What do we smell?
What do we hear?

Let’s fully embrace the present. Take a deep breath, close our eyes, and express gratitude. These fleeting moments hold the power to uplift and renew us. They whisper, Rejoice!

The Apostle Paul offers a profound reminder in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” This scripture calls us to find joy in all moments, regardless of circumstances. It encourages us to anchor our joy in God, the ultimate source of all joy. By finding comfort and strength in our faith, we can appreciate our blessings.

Cultivating Joy in Everyday Life

Here are a few simple practices to help us find joy in the present moment:

* Name 3 things we are thankful for.
* Fully engage in conversations around us.
* Take time to appreciate small things like nature, music, or a cup of coffee.
* Spend time with God. Pray and reflect. Be still.

This January, let’s take a moment to reconnect with the present. It’s easy. Each day, do a five sense check-in. Go outside or look out the window. What catches our eye? What do we hear? What can we touch? What scents are in the air? What do we taste? These ordinary moments may lead to the extraordinary.

Let the joy of new beginnings warm our hearts, fill us with hope, and inspire us to find joy in the present!

#January #Joy #5Senses #BeinthePresent #IandThouReflections #NewBeginnings

The Joy of January – Part 1

Joy in New Beginnings

A new year marks a fresh start. A gift for those of us seeking to wipe the slate clean. Right?

It is a gift to take a breath and start all over again. This time, we can cultivate the wisdom we acquired from the past to forge new roads for the future. Perhaps even paving the way for personal growth and self-discovery.

As these roads take us in new directions, let’s not walk. Let’s dance! Let’s seize each day and open ourselves up to new opportunities. Each one being a potential source of joy and excitement.

When Opportunity Knocks

When the door knocks, let’s open it and welcome it with open arms. Whatever that or who that may be. Let’s embrace what life has to offer with joy and excitement.

Let’s find joy in each day. We can discover God’s compassion with each new day. We just need to look. Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” These verses underscore God’s mercy and faithfulness, offering us a fresh start each day. Just as the dawn brings new light, so does God’s grace bring hope and joy.

In Isaiah 43:19, we find the promise of divine guidance and transformation: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. This scripture reminds us that even when we feel lost or stuck, God can create new opportunities and provide clarity as we move forward.

As we journey through January, let us hold fast to these promises.

This January, let’s take a moment each day to recognize the opportunities for for joy that surround us. Grab a notebook or a journal and begin writing one joy each day.

Let the joy of new beginnings warm our hearts and fill us with hope and inspire us to dance!

#NewBeginnings #January #IandThouReflections #Joy