Happy New Year, lovely people! I hope you have managed to enjoy a moment of peace and joy this Christmas.

I love the feeling of a fresh start that comes along in January. Having lived most of my life working to school timetables, I’ve always felt like there were 2 new year starts. September is often a good ‘fresh start’ – new stationary (which is always super exciting!!!), a new diary, a new timetable, new classes – September can promise a lot! But all too quickly, the days shorten, vitamin D levels crash, the ramp up to Christmas kicks in and life gets busy and, all too quickly, optimism can wane. January therefore, can be another opportunity to refresh and restart – a time to reflect and refocus.

To be totally honest, our Christmas did not really go to plan this year as the virus that I had been battling with for much of December came back with vengeance. It means that as I woke to a fresh start yesterday – the first working day of a new term – I began with a feeling of uncertainty after several weeks of broken work rhythms. Living by faith and pioneering ministry in the way that Ali and I both do is an exciting adventure, but it can also be challenging at times! The path is rarely clearly marked, finance can be unknown and I find that I can spend a lot of time second guessing whether or not I have clearly discerned God’s guiding! Unsettled working patterns had definitely wobbled my confidence and the doubts were definitely making a lot of noise!!

For the past few years, I have enjoyed praying and thinking about a word for the year – something to explore and mull over throughout the year. This year, my word is ‘pray’ and so, I began the working term as I intend to continue – pressing into the presence of Jesus – as I headed out for a snowy prayer walk, fully aware of my need of Jesus!

As I walked, I began to talk to God about the uncertainty I was feeling about the year ahead – asking for His wisdom and guidance – that He would lead me and signpost the way ahead. I had paused at this point and I realised that I was standing next to a signpost. How appropriate, I thought! I’ll use that as a visual focus point to help hold my concentration as I pray! (I see you visual learners!!!)

As I looked up, I noticed what the signpost said:

To the PINNACLE – wheelchair and pram access

It struck me just how much that summed up what Wonderful Me! is all about!!! In that tiny and very ordinary moment, I felt so seen and heard by God. I had prayed and asked for direction and guidance – and here was such a beautiful reminder of what He is calling me to do! To point to Jesus in everything I do and create opportunities for encounter with Him that are accessible for everyone – especially our children and those with additional needs.

I looked up the meaning of the word ‘pinnacle’ this morning and one of the definitions says ‘a high pointed piece of rock’ – it reminded me of the verse in Psalm 61:2 that says,

‘Lead me to the rock that is higher than I’

I am passionate about pointing to Jesus – about enabling everyone I meet to know how loved they are – how fearfully and wonderfully made they are – how seen, known, heard and accepted they are! And I am passionate about ensuring our churches are safe spaces that enable every child to be led to the rock that is higher, stronger, safe, sure, steadfast … to encounter Jesus – with accessible paths to meeting with Jesus that everyone can journey on!

So that’s my bottom line plan for 2026!!! The stats remind us that the need is great. An NHS survey conducted post covid in 2023 revealed that over 20% of 8-16 year olds had a probable mental health condition. 2023/24 analysis by the ‘end child poverty coalition’ found that nearly a third of children in the UK were living in relative poverty. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of children with Education, Health and Care plans with specialist support needs rose from 576,000 to 638,700 – and it’s important to note that only two thirds of applications were successful, suggesting that the actual need is far greater with many children having difficult, negative and often traumatic experiences of school.

Our children are struggling – they need the love and the shalom peace and wholeness of Jesus. They need safe spaces that will create accessible pathways and point the way to the ultimate pinnacle – Jesus!

I think, if we are honest, we recognise that we still have some learning to do in the church if we want to build safe and accessible pathways. We need to understand trauma and how it shapes behaviours, responses and needs to ensure we bring approaches that enable every person to feel safe. We need to understand neurodiversity and neurodivergence to enable us to create accessible programmes and activities. We need to explore a little more of how we are fearfully and wonderfully made – body, soul, emotion and mind beautifully woven together in God’s image – if we are going to enable whole people to fully meet with Jesus and feel seen, heard, known and accepted.

That is what Wonderful Me! is all about – it’s the ministry, mission and calling that I feel God has invited me to join in with!! To create resources, deliver training and offer support in places that are exploring how to create safe spaces and bring safe approaches. If you are working out how to build ‘wheelchair and pram access’ – how to include and encourage every child in your group or church, including those with additional needs – then get in touch!! I’d love to journey with you!!

Thanks, Lisa

If you find Wonderful Me! resources helpful – then perhaps you could consider buying me a coffee?! Your support enables me to continue creating free to access resources for churches that supports them in creating safe spaces where every child feels seen, heard and valued.