Bumpy Doesn’t Mean Broken

We put so much pressure on January.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but…

You’re not behind.

You’re not failing.

And the year isn’t ruined.

2026 didn’t arrive wrapped in ease or momentum.

It came in loud.

Messy.

Unexpected.

And if I’m honest, part of me wanted the first chapter to feel smoother. More clarity. More energy. More “fresh start” vibes.

Instead?

It’s felt messy.

But somewhere between the bumps and the breath prayers, I’ve been holding onto one thing:

• Gratitude is not denial.

• It’s anchoring.

The Myth of the Perfect Start

We put so much pressure on January.

New year, new habits, new goals, new version of ourselves.

But Scripture never says, “Blessed are those who start strong.”

It says:

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Not for all circumstances.

In them.

Gratitude doesn’t pretend everything is tidy.

It just refuses to let hardship have the final word.

Bumpy Doesn’t Mean Broken

There’s a difference between a rough start and a wrong direction.

Sometimes the bumps:

• slow us down

• soften us

• show us what we can’t carry

• remind us who actually holds everything

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.”

Psalm 34:18

Near.

Not waiting for you to fix it.

Not standing at the finish line.

Near in the middle of it.

What Gratitude Looks Like Right Now

Gratitude this season isn’t loud or poetic.

It sounds more like:

• Thank You that I woke up today.

• Thank You that You are still God when I’m not sure what I’m doing.

• Thank You that my family is under this roof.

• Thank You that Your mercies are new — even if my energy isn’t.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.”

— Lamentations 3:22–23

Some mornings, that’s the miracle.

New mercy.

Hope Is Not Based on Smoothness

Hope isn’t, “This year will be easy.”

Hope is, “God will be faithful.”

Those are not the same thing.

I’m learning that sitting in proximity to God doesn’t mean life feels light.

It means I’m not carrying it alone.

And sometimes the most faithful posture isn’t striving —It’s sitting.

Breathing.

Listening.

Trusting.

Maybe This Is Your Word Too

If your year didn’t start the way you imagined…

You’re not alone.

You’re not disqualified.

You’re not late.

You are right where grace meets you.

Let the bumps slow you down enough to notice:

God is still here.

Hope is still alive.

And gratitude is still possible.

Final SIP Moment

I don’t know what the rest of 2026 holds.

But I know who holds it.

And today, even in the uneven start, I choose this:

Gratitude.

Proximity.

Hope.

Because sometimes faith isn’t moving mountains —it’s sitting still long enough to remember-He holds me close no matter the season.