The Saturday Journal: Even more so, I've learned...

The sunrise this morning--I walk outside and the sky is on fire--a blaze, and the shadows of the trees looked charred against the morning sky--black--like a roaring fire has come thru--the void of smoke. The frost clings to the rooftops--the blades of grass crunch under my feet. I walk back into the house to get my camera and within minutes--the sunrise--the flame is not as red--as bold. The skies have turned to pink. Gray clouds circling.

And here we are greeting 2026 and I don't know about you--but I'm a little weary already. Tired of seeing the words--resolutions--goals--plans. I read where one individual had her plans for 2026 written in stone by last October. Please don't get me wrong--I'm not by no means criticizing anyone who wants to make goals, or plans, or set for themselves resolutions--to change--to become better. Looking in the mirror I need to do all of those things, and more.

But I feel like on some days, my feet are buried in cement--stuck.

And this--about being stuck--overwhelmed, how is it that January 1st of a New Year is deemed the most magic day of all days for change? And if we are blessed to make it to January 2nd--we go to our "change" list--check, check, check and we're feeling proud--and then no, no, and no--and we beat ourselves up--shame ourselves.

We failed.

I woke up a couple of mornings ago with this song on my mind--I could hear it so clearly--the bass--alto, sopranos--the church choir. It's been a while since my church sang this song. And there was no rhyme or reason that I could recall for this song to have come to mind--on this morning. But there it was---the chorus on repeat--over and over. There's a line in the song--it goes something like this--only Jesus can give a person new life.

In 1942, W.A. McKinney wrote the hymn Jesus Spoke to Me and in that same year, the song was copyrighted--placed right there on page 76 in the red-back Church Hymnal.

I don't know Mr. McKinney's story, but I can tell you this--I bet he wanted to give up a time or two--quit writing songs and music--altogether. But here we are, eighty four years later--and the words this songwriter penned--continues to touch hearts--continues to bring hope and promise and music to weary souls.

So why did Mr. McKinney write these lyrics--tell this powerful story through the words of music?

Have you ever prayed for a sign? God, if I'm supposed to do this--say this--give me a sign. And often times, more than not--we can get really specific about these signs--

Should we do this? I know. I know.

I've heard too many stories--read too many accounts--I believe.

There's something in my life I've been wanting to do for a while now--been procrastinating--worried I'm going to make the wrong decision--worried I will regret saying yes--worried with the regret of saying no.

I have been praying on and off about this for a few years now--and the other day I was like--okay, Lord--show me a sign. And I got specific--show me a cardinal at my bird feeder--a male one--a bright red one. I looked out my window and no cardinal--no birds-not one. So I walked around in the yard--the field--show me a cardinal, Lord, or any bird for that matter. There was not one--none--zero. And this is highly unusual--I always have birds. But not on this day.

God's answer was no, or at least that's what I perceived.

The next morning I looked out my window and the trees were full of birds--red male cardinals--lady cardinals, doves, and other winter birds. There were too many to count.

In the few short days of 2026, even more so, I've learned--more important than reaching our goals--sticking to our resolutions--our plans--there's this hard fact--there will always be failures--but, please, don't stop trying--don't stop praying--

And never forget your why--

There is always a why. And that "why" and what we do with it can reach far beyond our time here on earth--our lifetime--like songs and prayers and words and acts of kindness and love.

I was visiting my son and his family a few days over the New Year's holidays and it was time for me to leave. My grandbabies--they follow me to my car and give me one last hug before going back into the house. And on this day, my granddaughter--all of five years old--she hugs me and then runs and sits on her front porch--watching me. I'm in the drivers' seat--getting ready to start my car. And I roll my window down to look at her--wave good-bye one more time, and she jumps off the porch and runs to my car and I get out and we hug tighter than before.

And I'll keep chiseling away at the cement--and I pray God will help me to always remember--my why.

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I am grateful for each of you--more than you will ever know and I pray,

the stories shared in this space will encourage and bless you in some small way.

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All photos @copyright Tathel Miller, unless otherwise credited to another photographer.

Soli Deo Gloria

Tathel

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I'm beyond thankful and humbled for so many of you who have purchased my latest book and to all those who allowed me to share their stories and to guest writers, Logan Jones and Angela Searcy and Tiffany Shepherd for allowing me to include their stories. A new shipment is here and the books will be available at a few businesses in and around Wilkes County beginning next week. I plan to send out a newsletter next week with details.

For those of you who are in Wilkes County, David Caldwell (young man on the front cover) and I will be at New Life Fitness Gym located at 1985 NC-16 in Wilkesboro today, Saturday, January 10th from 9am--12pm signing books. We would love to see you there. New Life Fitness Gym will be holding a fundraiser for Wilkes County Special Olympics also! We are very grateful inviting us and for all they do for the community!

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