5 Friday Favorites: January 2, 2026
It's time for my Friday link up with A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals.
On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.
Well, well, well, what do you know? It appears that it’s Friday. Which means yesterday was Thursday. Which means I should have started this newsletter yesterday except that I didn’t know what yesterday was. Instead of writing I spent the day stuffing a whole lot of food in my mouth at a New Year’s Day get together and watching college football. I woke up today full of confusion and if I’m honest, quite a bit of cheese.
All that to say: Happy FRIDAY and Happy 2026, friends. Here are some favorite things - a little later in the day than usual.
Como se llama? by OPI
This is a great nail color for winter.
2. Who Else?
My son, Joe, introduced me to this song. Beautiful.
3. Room and Linen Spray
This Balance Room and Linen Spray by Eco Candle Essentials was a Christmas gift from my sister. It smells amazing.
4. Glimpses of God’s Banquet Table
Well, here’s some good news to start the year! And to celebrate I’m doing a giveaway! Among all the Amazon deliveries that happened in the last week, I had forgotten that a box of books containing my very first published work was due to arrive. I entered a contest back in July and found out at a writer’s conference I attended that my essay was chosen to be included in the book, Glimpses of God’s Banquet Table. It was very exciting. Here’s a picture of my friend, Cara and me when we found out.
Please notice that I do not know where to look when taking a selfie. *sigh
From the publisher:
“This beautiful collection features stories, poems, devotions, and prayers that invite us into the incredible image of the banquet God has prepared for His people. Imagine a table overflowing with rich food and wine, where we'll all be adorned in robes of righteousness and joy.
This book is a collaboration of multiple authors who share how our everyday lives give us glimpses of the joy and unity we'll experience one day at that glorious table. We never know who might be seated next to us at that heavenly feast!’
I would love to gift two of my readers a copy of Glimpses of God’s Banquet Table! Please leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win! I appreciate you so much and hope this book will be a blessing to you in 2026. I’m hoping to end this year with my 2nd published work, so please stay tuned!
5. A Prayer for the New Year
Our pastor sent this beautiful prayer in his weekly newsletter last week. Such a perfect way to begin the new year.
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what you wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee.
Exalted for thee, or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
To thy pleasure and disposal
And now, O glorious and blessed with God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant I’ve made on earth,
Let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
Thank you so much for reading. I’d appreciate it if you would share my newsletter with friends in 2026. I’m so excited to see what God has in store this year. Have a blessed day and don’t forget to click the comment button below to be entered to win a copy of Glimpses of God’s Banquet Table.
Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well.