This year...
6 reads for 2026, a giveaway, & book guides
I rushed up the stairs, out of breath. Huffing and puffing at 9:29am on a Monday morning. I dropped off the kids, kissed my husband, and chugged a smoothie.
I scrawled my name on the sign-in sheet and settled into a leather chair.
“Grace?” the receptionist called.
I offered a weak smile and maneuvered my way into the dental seat, careful not to knock over any equipment. The doctor adjusted her glasses and asked about the holiday break. My heart rate slowly settled—but then the whirring began.
Although my father was a dentist, I have a bad track record with cavities. (Going to bed with popcorn isn’t that terrible, right?) I took a deep breath and prepared for a bad report.
I tried to open my mouth wide and drown out the buzzing with background music.
Freezing water rushed over my already sensitive teeth. I anticipated pain, cavities, and more fillings. After gulping down fresh air and squirming to the side I mumbled, “Are we done?”
The doctor chuckled, “No.” I tried to remember she was here to help me. Even though I clenched and fidgeted, hoping she would speed things up. Finally the whirring stopped and I sat upright.
Although the procedure was uncomfortable, it was beneficial.
As I look toward the new year, I have the choice to anticipate the future with worry or hope.
When I sit in the dentist chair, I remind myself: there will be painful moments ahead. I can’t control the process, but I can control my attitude.
How will we anticipate 2026?
6 Books I’m Anticipating in 2026
*In no particular order.
Cradled by Annie VanderHeiden she offered great feedback when I pitched to Risen Motherhood, and I can’t wait to read this!
You’re In Good Company by Coffee + Crumbs. Their work is beautiful and fun to read, excited about the recipes too! 😋
The Pursuit of Holy Leisure by Cara Ray, I’ve been pre-reading this, and it’s rich with wisdom.
Grace Will be There by Katie Blackburn, her writing is tender and thoughtful, and the cover is stunning!
Made to Rest: True Peace in a World That Never Stops by Aimee Joseph. I had the pleasure of meeting Aimee at her home church in SD, I loved visiting her community and can’t wait to read this.
Praying in Pain: How to Know You’re Heard When You Haven’t Been Healed by Glenna Marshall. Her previous book Known & Loved offers deep truths and timely reminders, and I’m interested to see her take on this topic.
Giveaway
Last day to enter!
Book Guides
Recent Post
This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale—an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "Anticipate”
Thanks so much for sharing—excited about all these new resources too! 🥰
How fun to see all these book recommendations that are up and coming! I preordered the Coffee + Crumbs book and have just added several of these to my TBR list to watch out for ☺️