I’ve recently rekindled my love for reading. As a child, I enjoyed picture books and poems, even a few chapter books. Unfortunately, by high school, I had lost the joy in reading. It’s taken the better part of twenty years to teach myself to love reading. It doesn’t come naturally for me. I mostly favor nonfiction, as a way to learn and grow, always underlining and taking notes. Though I’ve also grown to appreciate fiction, as a way to stretch my imagination, practice rest, and simply enjoy the story. 

Last year, I think I finished one book. It was an important, life-changing read, but as someone who used to have annual reading goals, it was laughable. Maybe even a bit embarrassing.

2026 is different. There’s a bit of desperation to learn, intentionality to have a guide. And it’s a helpful replacement for being on my phone. On Wednesday, I finished two more books, bringing my total to five since the new year began. (I’m crushing my goal of reading 1 fiction and 1 nonfiction per month.)

I started two new books on Thursday, and couldn’t believe my eyes. One fiction, one nonfiction — they both spoke of blizzards. The white-out kind where you get lost in your backyard and can’t find your way home. Of all the books and chapters and pages I could have read… it certainly got my attention.

It’s felt like that this week for me. It’s been rough for many reasons, and I’ve been struggling to get untangled from the mess that is life. Like I’m walking around in the bleak of winter, wandering aimlessly, frozen, losing hope. I can’t see. It doesn’t help that the fog has settled in the valley, more this winter than we’ve seen in any winter since moving here.

As the new year was getting ready to dawn, three different passages came to mind. Two from the mouth of Jesus, and one about Him. I had been holding wholeness, making sure it felt like the right word to carry for 2026. Confirmations in my spirit popped up here and there, and I settled into it. 

These verses have become an anchor for me, a tether, a lifeline. They’ve kept me grounded as the metaphorical winter storms have been raging. Through the sunless skies and disorienting fog.

Early on Thursday morning, as I took a break from snoozing my alarm and opened the daily Bible reading plan, I found one of those three verses was waiting for me.

I was reminded that out of all of the words I could write, I wanted to offer these three passages to you. My hope is that they bring you courage, strength, comfort, or whatever it is you’re needing right now. 

• “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The invitation is there, always: just come. Especially if you’re weary and burdened and overwhelmed by it all. Jesus offers rest — soul rest. He’s gentle and humble, and wants to show you His ways. They’re not heavy, and He’s with you. Every step. 

• “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – John‬ ‭14‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬

You may feel lost, abandoned, rejected, overlooked, misunderstood–He sees you. He hears you. He knows you. And He loves you. He will not leave you as an orphan. He won’t forsake you, like others have. He promises to show up. He will meet you in the middle of whatever it is you’re going through. And He will take care of you. 

• “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬

Lastly, He started something in you–it’s woven into the very fabric of your being. He created you with His hands, forming you in the womb, and He began a good work in you. He will carry it through every high and low, every beautiful and difficult season; He will bring all of the brokenness to wholeness until you’re complete–either upon His return or when your time on earth is done. He’s still working and moving on your behalf, even if you don’t see it this side of heaven. He’s not done with you yet.

As you navigate your winter, keep moving forward through the weariness — even if it’s slowly. Embrace joy, rest, and peace. Find the tether in the backyard of your blizzard and hold on tight. Choose a verse or a word to anchor you. Set a goal, read a book, learn something new. Start small.

Winter won’t last forever. There is a time and season for everything. Spring will come before you know it. Don’t miss the lessons hidden in winter — even the weary ones.