2024
For what it’s worth, 2024 has been kind to me.
Life can change in an instant. Surround yourself with people you want to ride out those changes with.
For what it’s worth, 2024 has been kind to me.
I walked into this year holding onto the word seek. I was claiming the promise of Matthew 7:7, if you seek you will find. As I sit here reflecting on all that has taken place this year it feels fitting to highlight the things I’ve found.
So, here it goes, twenty-four things I’ve found in 2024 - some of these for the first time, others were gentle and necessary reminders:
It is critical to have people in your life willing to speak boldly to the things killing you. Jade Moore, I will forever be grateful that you asked me a question that caused me to realize the anger I was chewing on had turned into bitterness that was choking me.
The question “Why?” walks a fine line between being curious and judgmental. The difference is muddled somewhere between tone and intention. I’m practicing asking better questions - I’ve found when you do you get closer to the answer you’re actually looking for.
The Old Testament is full of far more grace and mercy than it is given credit for and I really think that should be talked about more often.
If Jesus can say, “Forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing” when he’s being brutally killed, I can say the same to far less. I’ve come to realize it’s quite unfair to hold people accountable for hitting triggers they’re unaware of - especially when I’m not even always aware of them myself.
Doing the things you love to do sometimes requires you to be willing to look like an idiot on social media. I learned this when I realized I had to practice smiling for a dance performance.
When your best friend’s kid calls you and says that his mom is sad and misses you - you stop what you’re doing and figure out how to see her as soon as possible.
I don’t like water rides - period, end of sentence. Well, actually, that’s not completely true. I don’t like my dry clothes being wet - which is a result of water rides. I have decided the sensory overwhelm I find myself in after the fact isn’t worth not feeling left out.
EMTs will not turn the ambulance lights on for you over a possible broken hand and whiplash. It doesn’t matter if the reason you’re in said ambulance is because you jumped out of a crashed and moving car that then proceeded to run itself into a tree - those injuries aren’t worth the spectacle.
Dreams can come true when you least expect it through a simple question and the utter kindness of a stranger. Elephants are truly as magical as they seem.
Thirty feels like a new chapter that I’m excited about. That said, I’m not at all ready to say I’m in my early thirties.
You should say yes when you’re scared if it’s something you really want to do.
I want to spend more time protecting peoples’ peace and introducing them to Jesus.
Fix your focus.
When someone messages you to get coffee because they want to hear about how God’s moving in your life - say yes - it doesn’t matter that you don’t like coffee, drink tea instead because it’s likely you need the reminder yourself of the miraculous you’ve witnessed.
I shouldn’t wait six months between therapy sessions - case and point me booking an emergency session because I couldn’t identify my emotions. Spoiler alert: the emotions I couldn’t identify were, in third-grade terminology, “like-like.”
Tears are worth crying. Crying reminds you to feel the emotions that come with the tears.
This world is full of truly incredible people. Multiple moments this year were marked by the absolute generosity of strangers. Additionally, I met some of my favorite people this year who were said absolute strangers the year before. I am looking forward to all my new favorite friends that I’ve yet to meet.
Whispered prayers spoken with a shaky voice are answered at the same rate as prayers spoken with strong shoulders and a bold declaration.
The phone doesn’t have to eat first. In fact, there’s something beautiful about being so in the moment that you forget to take pictures.
You find out who your friends are in hospital rooms.
Ensuring people can eat is one of the purest forms of love.
Life can change in an instant. Surround yourself with people you want to ride out those changes with.
There’s a difference between forgetting and not remembering. Choose to remember.
Simply, God is so kind - keep looking for His kindness.
2024, thanks for the memories, may I hold tight to the lessons you taught me.
