Welcome to season 18 kickoff with our annual tradition of the Word of the Year episode! Each year, we ask God to give us a theme to focus on for the new year and invite you to do the same. After personal prayer and reflection, we share what our words for 2026 mean to us and chat about the Saints journeying with us this year. We are excited to be back and look forward to what this year will bring!

Heather's One Thing - Big God, Little Devil by Dr. Sean Tobin (listen to Dr. Sean on the Restore the Glory Podcast too!)

Heather's Other One Thing - Let There Be by Amanda Cook

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch, OP (buy on Amazon here)

Michelle's One Thing - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Example of Grafting

Announcement:

Our 2026 Lenten book study will be "The Way of Trust and Love" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks!

Journal Questions:

• What was my word for 2025? How did the Lord work in and through me with that word?
• What is my word for 2026?
• How does my heart sit with the word revealed to me?
• How is the Lord inviting me into deeper love & intimacy in this new year?
• What is the Lord asking me to delight in?
• Has the Lord entrusted a particular saint to journey with you this year?

Discussion Questions:

• Reflect on and share about your word for 2025 and the graces you encountered through that word.
• What images, phrases, artwork, or Scripture verses have been on your mind when praying about your word of the year?
• What is your word for 2026? How did the Lord reveal it to you?
• Do you feel surprised, apprehensive, or delighted by your word for 2026? How can you hold onto hope this year?
• What is the Lord asking you to grow in?

Quotes to Ponder:

"For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice." (T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding")

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love." (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40:31)

Sponsor - CORDA:

CORDA translates the stories of the saints into scents, and helps you create a place of prayer and peace in your home with their handcrafted Catholic candles.

Backed by 3,500+ 5-star reviews, CORDA candles have a beautiful modern design, are made with great ingredients like clean coconut wax and phthalate-free fragrances, and have an awesome burn time of 45 hours!

Plus, there's CORDA Rewards: earn points with every purchase that you can redeem for free products, gift cards, and free shipping.

You should also check out their special wedding favors, bulk order discounts for nonprofits and businesses, and their super easy Catholic fundraisers!

Learn more and explore all of CORDA's handcrafted Catholic candles at cordacandles.com/abiding

Timestamps: 00:00 CORDA

01:38 Intro

02:25 Lent Announcement

03:10 Welcome

06:43 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

08:24 Sister Miriam's Word of the Year

12:28 Heather's Word of the Year

17:16 Michelle's Word of the Year

25:13 Being Honest with Ourselves and with God

29:20 Our Saints of the Year

33:18 What if I don't have a Word of the Year?

34:26 One Things