When you’re a kid birthdays mean presents, cake, and excitement over what the next year may bring. When you become an adult, birthdays seem to become reminders of time wasted and unchecked boxes. Sometimes, birthdays bring discontentment and discouragement.
I have been there, friend. I have rushed seasons of my life trying to check the next box and do the next thing- whatever it may be. I have been guilty of discontentment and feeling the pressure of not being “enough” by a certain age. Last year, on my 26th birthday, I decided to use my birthday as an opportunity for reflection and celebration of what I have learned so far. We have a bad habit of emphasizing our accomplishments and crossed-off lists rather than focusing on what actually matters- what we have learned along the way.
In an effort to embrace life-long learning and let go of life-long checking, here is a list of 27 lessons I have learned in 27 years:
1. A genuine heart seeks to understand despite its understanding.
2. Hurting people hurt people. Have compassion on their pain- regardless of yours.
3. God has more in mind for you than your mind has for you.
4. Walking in truth means running from lies.
5. God’s love is not limited to my understanding.
6. Your head and your heart were made to work in partnership, especially in hardship.
7. Misusing time is abusing time.
8. Pouring into yourself isn’t selfish- it’s necessary.
9. Comfort precedes complacency.
10. Seeking help signifies strength, not weakness.
11. An identity built on anything else but Jesus is a false identity.
12. Facing your fears more means learning to fear less.
13. A person adapts to their environment, be careful which environment you choose.
14. God calls me good even when I feel bad.
15. Your feelings and the feelings of others are not always true, but they are always real.
16. Forgiving the past and forgetting the past should not be confused. Remember the pain to learn from the past, forgive the past to overcome the pain.
17. There is always a root problem behind an anxiety. Dig to find the problem- deal to cure the anxiety.
18. Look people in the eye, smile and be kind to them. People need to see they are seen.
19. Seek to understand the misunderstood.
20. To be like Jesus you have to spend time with Jesus.
21. There is no risk without reward. There is no reward in a prayerless risk.
22. If God’s peace is not there, don’t go.
23. Your light shines brightest when it’s reflected back to the Creator.
24. Building your identity off of what others say you are will drain and deplete you. Building your identity off of what God says about you will liberate and strengthen you.
25. If we don’t root ourselves and who God has created us to be we subject ourselves to what others expect us to be.
26. Admitting my need for God frees me unrealistic self-expectations.
27. Keep forgiving the person that keeps hurting you and trust God to take care of their heart and yours in the process.
God has taught me this and so much more in my 27 years here on this earth. Each lesson has a story, some more than others. But no matter the lesson and the varying degrees of pain and joy, one thing remains true: God’s constant love and evidence in my life. Even if I couldn’t see Him then, I can see Him now. I am confident that whatever lesson comes in year 27, God will remain faithful through both the dark and the light.
Let’s do it, 27!
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Mary Craig says
Love you Sunnie girl!!!
Mary Craig says
Love you Sunnie girl!!!
Natalie Cantrell says
Ur AMAZING ๐ค I’m so proud of u๐ Luv u BUNCHES ๐๐๐๐ณ