Five Loaves, Two Fish, and a Load of Laundry: A Mom’s Grace-Filled Goals for 2026
Ah, January. The month of fresh planners, fresh hope, and the very real possibility of quitting by January 12th.
Especially for moms. Especially for women who already feel like we’re carrying approximately 47 invisible to-do lists at all times.
Let’s talk about goals (or resolutions, if you’re feeling brave).
They can be helpful…
They can also make us feel wildly inspired on January 1 and wildly defeated by Valentine’s Day.
So here’s my confession:
I don’t do shiny, brand-new goals every year anymore.
Instead, I stick to the same five goals—year after year—because they work. Not because I’m perfect at them (I am not), but because they are systems, not pressure-filled performance plans.
Every single day, I do something—big or small—for each one. And somehow, by God’s grace, it adds up.
Let me show you what 2026 is going to look like over here.
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1. Jesus (Because Everything Else Falls Apart Without Him)
This is always first. Always.
Not because I’m super spiritual—but because I’ve learned the hard way that when Jesus slides down the list, everything gets wobbly.
My goal is simple: daily time with Jesus.
Not “perfect quiet time.” Not “Pinterest-worthy devotionals.” Just daily connection.
My system:
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I wake up at 6 a.m. (yes, even when I don’t want to).
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I use YouVersion and listen while I read—game changer if your brain wanders or you’re half-awake.
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They even have built-in prayers for when you’re exhausted and don’t have the words (a gift).
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I choose a year-long Bible plan, like The Bible Recap by Tara Leigh Cobble, so I’m never standing there thinking, “What should I read today?”
Your system may look different:
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Maybe you connect best after school drop-off.
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Or before bed, when the house is finally quiet.
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Maybe it’s five minutes. Maybe it’s forty.
The point is this: make Jesus a habit, not an afterthought.
Everything else flows from here.
Church. Serving. Generosity. All of it grows out of relationship, not obligation.
2. Health (Your Body Is a Temple—Not a Machine)
I used to treat my body like something I could just push through indefinitely.
Spoiler alert: that does not end well.
Scripture tells us our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, which means caring for them is spiritual work—not vanity.
I love The Biblio Diet by Jordan Rubin and Dr. Josh Axe because it beautifully connects biblical wisdom with health. The Bible actually gives us a blueprint for caring for our bodies—we just forgot to read it that way.
My daily goal:
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A walk (even if it’s short)
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Supplements (beef organ supplements + B vitamins are non-negotiables for me)
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Fasting—essential for both spiritual and physical health
And here’s the grace part:
If I can’t exercise? I still take my supplements.
If I can’t do it “right”? I still do something.
You matter to Jesus.
And when your body is well, you can fulfill the assignments He’s given you.
3. Creativity (Because We Serve a Creator God)
Now, I’m an artist and writer, so creativity is essential for me.
But hear me clearly: you don’t have to be “artistic” to be creative.
Creativity can look like:
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Cooking a new recipe
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Gardening
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Decorating a room
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Learning to sew, build, write, design, organize
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Playing music
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Problem-solving
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Even creatively loving your people
We serve a Creator God.
We were created to create.
And when we create, it’s worship.
So my goal is simple: create something regularly.
Learn. Build. Practice. Try. Make a mess.
You don’t need to monetize it.
You don’t need to be “good” at it.
You just need to show up.
4. Relationships (Yes, Even for Introverts)
I am an introvert.
Which means if I’m not careful, I can happily disappear into my house… and then slowly slide into isolation and sadness.
So relationships are on my goal list on purpose.
Because people matter.
And because loving God always spills over into loving people.
My system:
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Serve at church
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Make actual plans with friends and family
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Fight the introvert urge to cancel when social anxiety creeps in
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Serve my community (for me, that looks like substitute teaching, coaching swim, and serving on our neighborhood swim team board)
If I can’t meet up?
I text. I call. I do something intentional with my family at home.
“Love the Lord your God… and love your neighbor as yourself.”
This isn’t optional—it’s a commandment.
5. House (Stewardship Is Spiritual)
This one surprises people—but it shouldn’t.
The house matters because stewardship matters.
That includes:
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Paying bills on time
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Mindful spending
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Avoiding debt
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Caring for what God has given us
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Cleaning (daily, weekly, monthly rhythms)
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Planning projects and improvements wisely
I write everything down and keep a homemaker’s journal to stay organized, because chaos stresses me out—and stressed me doesn’t love people well.
God calls us to be good stewards.
And once again… this circles right back to Jesus.
The Secret Sauce: Do Something Every Day
Here’s the freedom:
I don’t do these goals perfectly.
I do them consistently.
Every day, I touch all five—however big or small:
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No workout? Supplements.
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No deep clean? A load of laundry.
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No hangout? A text or phone call.
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No art project? A few minutes creating.
Five loaves. Two fish.
God does the multiplying.
A Prayer for 2026
Lord,
As we step into 2026, help us trade pressure for purpose.
Teach us to build habits instead of chasing perfection.
Anchor us in You, strengthen our bodies, awaken our creativity, deepen our relationships, and help us steward what You’ve entrusted to us.
Bless the work of our hands—even the unseen work.
Meet us in the small, faithful steps.
And may everything we do flow from knowing who we are in You.
Amen.
Here’s to a year of grace, growth, and doing the next right small thing—together.
© 2026 Alissa Hill Kinnear. All rights reserved. Please do not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of this blog without written permission. Sharing direct links is always welcome and appreciated!
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