The second half of 2026… how time flies!
Often we look back in hindsight and find ourselves dwelling on the what ifs, the what nots, the maybes, and the should’ve, would’ve, could’ves. In addtion, we beat ourselves up over things beyond our control, only to realise that doing so keeps us from moving forward and enjoying the life that’s still ahead of us.
So, for this first week of 2H26, I’d like to share some of my writing ✍️—words from my heart. My hope is that they will encourage not only me, but also anyone who may be carrying similar thoughts or burdens and simply needs to hear this:
You are not alone.
There is a God who loves each one of us deeply, walks with us through every season, and faithfully remains by our side—always.
Psalms 118:29 NIV
[29] Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
June 😔
I wished the rain
Would wash away
The memories
This June had left behind.I wished the darkened skies,
The rolling thunder,
And the weeping clouds
Would drown June’s deepest sorrows.I wished the tears,
The ache,
The silent grief
Would simply disappear.But then I paused.
For to wish June away
Is also to wish away
The quiet gifts
It carried in its hands.The joy of witnessing
Two hearts become one,
Bound together
In sacred vows.The joy of family
Gathered close—
Holding one another
Through tears and laughter alike.The joy of a granddaughter
Embracing her grandmother
After many long moons apart;
A moment time itself could not erase.Perhaps joy and sorrow
Were never meant
To walk separate roads.Perhaps they have always journeyed
Side by side,
Teaching weary hearts
What neither could teach alone.For sorrow teaches us
To cling,
And joy reminds us
Why we hope.And both, together,
Lead us gently
To the feet of the One
Who never leaves us.The one true God,
Whose love is constant,
Whose mercy never fails,
And whose faithfulness endures
Through every season.~ idauhahine, Jul26 ~
Life’s not a race!
One thing I learnt very early on:
There’s nothing wrong with being alone.
Being alone helped me realise
That life is not a race.
Alone meant being independent.
Being independent led to becoming
Almost a perfectionist.
But life is not about being perfect.
Life is about making mistakes,
Learning the lessons, and moving on.
Be a better person than you were yesterday,
And life goes on with all its imperfections.
I learnt very early on
That life will knock you down.
But you must not stoop to that level.
Life is about rising above the challenges.
You must not let the goodness
Within you be eroded by life’s flaws.
Instead, love more and be kind.
Life grows better with love and kindness.
So live and love.
Be kind and gracious
To yourself and to others.
Life is not a race.~ idauhahine, Jul26 ~
A personal reflection 🙌
And finally, this one is more of a reflection than a poem. Of a picture I took that holds so many memories and reminders. I hope you treasure every gift given to you, because life is just too short ❤️🙏
So true, this saying, “A picture paints a thousand words.” 🙌❤️ This is one of those pictures for me.
Every memento in it carries a story. Every keepsake represents a memory, a lesson, a season of life, or a reminder of God’s grace. ❤️
These aren’t just objects—they’re pieces of our journey that we’ll treasure for a lifetime.
One day, I hope to write the story behind each one for our grandchildren, so they’ll know where they came from, what shaped our family, and the legacy they’re a part of. 😍
A prayer for 2H26 🙏
Heavenly Father, God of the universe, our Creator and our loving Father, we give You all praise, honour, and glory. Thank You for the precious gift of life, for the blessing of love, and for the gift of family. Every good thing we have comes from Your gracious hand.
Even when we fail to recognise or acknowledge Your goodness, You never cease to pour out Your grace upon us. Your mercies are new every morning, and Your faithfulness never fails. Thank You, Father, for loving us even when we are undeserving.
Above all, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to take our place upon the cross, bearing our sin, our shame, and the punishment we deserved. Thank You that through His death we have forgiveness, and through His resurrection You conquered sin, death, and every power of darkness forever. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Father. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your abiding presence, comfort, and guidance each day.
As we reflect on the first half of 2026, we are grateful for every blessing, every challenge, every lesson, every joy, and even every disappointment, knowing that You have used them all to shape us and draw us closer to Yourself.
As we enter this second half of the year, we pray that You would continue Your work in us. Make us more like Christ each day. Teach us to love more deeply, to serve more willingly, to show kindness more freely, and to walk humbly before You. May our lives reflect Your grace, and may we faithfully share the hope of the Gospel and the gift of new life in Christ with those around us—especially those who have not yet come to know and trust You.
Father, forgive us for the sins of our hearts and our actions—for the times we have been indifferent, for the opportunities we have neglected, for our pride, our selfishness, and the worldly desires that have drawn us away from You. Cleanse us, renew us, and lead us back into closer fellowship with You.
Please forgive those have sinned against us and soften our hearts, remove every trace of bitterness, and fill us with Your compassion and mercy. Give us hearts that are humble, genuine, and overflowing with love, so that we may extend the same grace and forgiveness we have received to those who have wronged us.
May the remainder of 2026 be lived for Your glory alone.
Strengthen our faith, deepen our trust, and remind us each day that our hope is found not in the things of this world, but in Christ alone.
We surrender our plans, our hopes, our fears, and our future into Your loving hands, trusting that Your will is good, Your timing is perfect, and Your grace is always sufficient.
In the precious and mighty name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. 🙏❤️
To God be the glory always be ❤️
Idau Hahine 