After the heavy reflection I did in December and a few days of down time I arrived at 2026. I don’t like to make New Year’s resolutions.
This morning I attended a meeting and the theme was “Patience”, what a blessing. Being reminded that God is at work in us and that He is not rushing through the process. We live in a world where people eat 2 minute noodles, drink instant coffee and if God takes over a week to answer my prayers then I get depressed. Patience. Always a good place to return to.
I’ve got two very exciting developments to share. I hope you like the picture of Lion smiling at you. I didn’t set out to start a children’s ministry, a little over a week ago I sat at my desk and asked myself what kind of resources I needed as a child of about 4 to 6 years old – but didn’t have. I started imagining and after a few minutes the story of Lion was born. Lion was a happy little cub, but one day he loses his roar and with it his joy. The book purposely doesn’t tell us what trauma, wound of hardship happens to Lion, to make it more relatable. The world has enough hardships that children can fill that part in themselves. On his journey Lion meets Tortoise (who teaches his deep belly breathing with the 4 4 4 4 method), Bird (who teaching his to sing or hum when he feels sad) and Elephant (who teaches him presence and a simplified version of the 5 4 3 2 1 method) together with his friends Lion starts healing and ultimately finds his roar again. A section of the book is dedicated to teaching adults about the importance of learning to breathe again after trauma. This project is very dear to me, one day I will share all the reasons why I wrote this book. For now it’s because I battled to breathe after trauma when I was scared or angry. I’ve decided not to sell the book and you can get a free copy of it here.
The second reason I’m excited is because the in person small groups for “Cowboys don’t Cry” will be starting at my church soon. Towards the middle of last year I started speaking to my church elders about my heart for emotional healing and what that would look like in small groups. This week I received the green light to start it officially and under the covering of my church (Crossways Christian Fellowship, East London). I’m grateful to be doing this under a covering and with oversight. This has been a dream for a while and I am really grateful to God for the opportunities He is giving me.
Maybe your 2026 is off to a slow start, a difficult start or maybe it feels like it just won’t start. God has not forgotten you. He is working in you every day (Phil 1:6) and He loves you dearly (Zeph 3:17). Draw near to Him, knowing that your Father longs to spend time with you.
May His nearness be your comfort and courage today – Psalm 34:18
Martin de Coning