It's interesting to me that we start and end the new year with REST. In the dead of winter, when nature is sleeping, recovering, preparing: we are invited to do the same.

Now might not be the time to fight for new habits or to pile on new expectations for ourselves, but it certainly is a time for reflection and foundation building.

2025 was tough.

It hit me and my family hard and I'm so glad it's over.

I know there's nothing magical about a new year - many of the same struggles and hardships will follow me into 2026, it's just the fact of the matter.

In this season of reflection, God has made something very clear to me - a lesson I (embarrassingly) find myself having to relearn over and over again, each time with more depth and richness and eagerness - that it's Himself He's called me to.

Not a career.

Not a title.

Not a goal or milestone.

Himself.

The Creator of the universe, King of Kings, our sovereign, gracious, all-knowing God invites ME to know HIM.

We are invited not to simply do things FOR Him, but WITH Him!

God (my creator) has invited me (his creation) to participate in CREATION.

to make / to admire / to develop / to experience

I'm created to create and in doing so share God's love and grace and beauty. To proclaim God's goodness to all the nations!

2026 will likely be hard in its own right.

But I accept this January invitation! So, here's to more art, more play, more curiosity, more intention, and more FUN.

Wanna join me?

I'd love to hear about an art form or creative expression you'd like to intentionally pursue more: whether through creation, admiration, or experience - or a lovely combination of all three.

-- Dusty

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