Faith-Forward Birthday Reflections in Year 35

This birthday season felt full in such a sacred and special way. God invited me many times in the past few weeks to just sit with Him in reflection, recounting my blessings and the opportunities I’ve had to grow. Self-reflection is a love language for me. It is cathartic. Freeing even. To be able to fully engage with the feelings that I feel through written expression. I handwrote a journal entry over several days which led to this blog post compilation of 35 lessons I’ve come to know in my first 35 years of life. I couldn’t wait to bring them to you to share. Here there are.

1. God is good in every season.
2. Friendships take work — but the ones meant for you make the work worth it.
3. Keeping your word is a character flex.
4. Knowing who you are is a journey. At your core you are one authentic being, but there are so many variations of you. Don’t box yourself in.
5. Change means you’re growing. Hold fast to truth, but don’t resist evolution in the person you’re becoming.
6. Marriage is not the solution to a lonely heart.
7. Singlehood does not mean total freedom.
8. Being married is like looking into a mirror and being honest about what you see—learning to love the parts that are unique and treasured, and being courageous enough to work on the parts you don’t like.
9. Time is the greatest gift. Redeem it.
10. Name your prayer requests plainly. God is not intimidated by your plans, emotions, desires, or the things you haven’t figured out yet.
11. It’s okay to pray for nice things. Better. More. But anchor your heart in where those desires come from and submit them to God.
12. You don’t have to wait until you’re 40 to take vitamins. Lol. Find a good fish oil, multivitamin, Vitamins C and D, etc., and invest in your health.
13. Your finances need your attention. Small scale and big scale. Do what you can in the present. Chip away at your goals. Give yourself grace, but be honest. Have accountability and steward your money well.
14. Church hurt is real. I see you. If I could name the top emotional trial that stings the most, “church hurt” would be up there. But God. The Bride of Christ is not built on perfect people, and the church needs you—with all your imperfections. Take time to heal, but don’t count out the very place you’re called to find community.
15. Having a good cry is all you need sometimes. Let it out and keep it pushing.
16. Music can heal a lot of things.
17. Music can also keep you stuck if the influences aren’t healthy. Pay attention to what you keep on repeat.
18. Children want their mom and dad’s physical and emotional presence. As they grow, their needs evolve, but they still need your presence. Find creative ways to meet those needs.
19. Our sons need so much affection. Give it freely and safely.
20. Our daughters need so much affirmation. Give it freely and consistently.
21. It’s okay to admit you need help—and then work on articulating what help you need.
22. Maturity is learning to humble yourself. Humility is a direct reflection of your willingness to let God correct you—and to receive correction from others.
23. Having a clean house does not make you any better than someone else. But it is 100% okay to keep a clean house.
24. Peace is a choice you make daily. No one can choose it for you. Learn to let God cultivate peace within you so you can access it freely.
25. A wise woman builds her house. Becoming a master builder feels like one of the highest callings of womanhood.
26. The home you build in private becomes the life people see in public.
27. Softness isn’t weakness. It’s strength that’s been refined. Learn to discern when softness is required and when strength is necessary.
28. So much of who you are — and who you’re becoming — is shaped in the in-between moments.
29. The monotony and mundane rhythms of daily life shape you more than the milestones.
30. The seasons of waiting are not empty.
31. How you handle the “in-between” determines how whole and healthy you are when you reach the other side.
32. Choosing discipline isn’t denying yourself freedom; in many ways, choosing discipline is choosing life over death.
33. Gratitude is a way of life; a game-changing perspective; and a strategy for a full heart in every season no matter the circumstances.
34. God redeems every version of you — the past, the present, and the one you’re becoming.
35. Who you allow to speak into your life matters. Practice discerning the voices that are meant to be kept at arms’ length and the ones who are called to build you up. Mentorship matters.

I can’t wait to hear which of these resonates with you the most. Leave a comment, share this with someone you know could be blessed by it, and subscribe for me. Thank you for being here. You make this space truly special.

Bri