#twentysixthings...

Twenty-six.

This Saturday, tomorrow, I turn 26 and I have mixed feelings about this. I don’t feel old enough to be in my last year of my mid-twenties. I am nowhere near where I thought that I would be at the age of 26, and I am actually praising God for that; the life I planned for myself by the time I would turn 26 is boring compared to what God has orchestrated for me!

Being 25 was fun and hard, but I am thinking that 26 will be good; I think it will be a year that continues to lead me deeper into God and deeper into myself, that it will be a year where I settle into life a little bit more.

26 Things I’ve Learned in 26 Years

(in no particular order)

1. Things don’t always end the way that they begin.

2. Conversations with boys are normal; everyone is trying to figure out this whole relationship/dating thing and just because these kinds of conversations are new to you, doesn’t mean they aren’t normal. Uncomfortable is okay.

3. In the kingdom of God, water is thicker than blood.

4. Sometimes, the only appropriate way to deal with a situation is allow yourself to use a curse word and then eat a pint of ice cream, and half a pizza, and then maybe the other half.

5. I have not only survived 26 whole years as a single person, but I have thrived. This year, I learned that my hope is FOR marriage, not IN marriage (daaaaang… right?).

6. There is nothing more fulfilling than loving people well. Whoever is in your life, love the heck out of them, even if it looks absurd.

7. There is ALWAYS time for dance parties and gangsta rap. ALWAYS.

8. Humility is a great companion; don’t take yourself too seriously and laugh at yourself when silly things happen.

9. The LORD establishes our steps; we must have confidence amidst the chaos of life because of this.

10. I am nowhere near where I thought I would be at 26 and I am guessing you probably won’t be either, and I am actually super thankful for that. God has spared me from things and saved me for things that I could have never imagined.

11. Choices have consequences, both good and bad. You are responsible for yours, not for anyone else’s.

12. This world is broken, and broken things break.

13. Don’t dismiss your emotions or your problems. Don’t compare your problems to someone in a third world country because, although it could be worse, right now it feels like it’s the worst and you are allowed to think that.

14. Being still takes intention and obedience, because trying harder is not always running faster.

15. Quality over quantity.

16. Seek wisdom in EVERYTHING.

17. If you reach your 20’s and have not seen a counselor, BOOK AN APPOINTMENT RIGHT NOW. Counseling is amazing and everyone needs to figure out why they are the way that they are.

18. Go to baseball games, concerts, road trips, dinners, pumpkin patches. Make lots of plans and have lots of adventures.

19. Contrary to popular belief, bedtimes can be a good thing (especially when you work an 8am-5pm job).

20. Adulting is hard, but it is worth every penny (literally, every penny you make).

21. I like sugar and cream in my coffee and that is a life decision that snobby coffee drinkers will not get in the way of; I am secure in my coffee orders.

22. Grace is deeper still.

23. God is big enough for you to buy a new comforter. 

24. Mature people can also be fun people.

25. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink or on the stove, invest in a vacuum, and use candles to make your home smell nice.

26. Create boundaries.

What are/were things that you learned by the mid-twenties?

Do any of these resonate with you?

*see what Iearned in the first 25 years here (some of my current lessons are repeats!)

#twentyfivethings...

For the past 25 years of my life, God has been so good to me. I look at each year, each trial and blessing, and through both, have been incredibly thankful for all. I have learned so much, and those lessons have not come cheaply.

This year, my 24^th, has been a complete rollercoaster. Friends, many of you have seen me through some wild times; there has been rejection, loss of dreams, beautiful and hard ministry, new opportunities, travel, questioning, health issues, spiritual issues, and so much more. My life has been filled to the brim, rich in every way; the lows have been overwhelmingly dark and the highs have been a radiantly bright.

25 Things I’ve Learned in 25 Years

(in no particular order)

1. Drawing near to Jesus is just as important in the joys as it is in the trials. 

2. Learn to be still and let the Lord fight for you sometimes; this life is not meant to be lived under your control, but the control of the Almighty. Accept this and life gets a tad bit easier.

3. Sometimes the greatest Friday nights are spent on the couch. Cue the candles, comfy blankets, popcorn, and mildly inappropriate shows (The Mindy Project? Marry Me? New Girl? YES, ALL OF THEM, YES.).

4. Don't be afraid of the hard things. 

5. Sometimes it’s okay to break the budget on a Target spree (those dollar bins and Cartwheel and Shopkick and for the love, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING ON SALE).

6. Laugh at yourself. Literally, laugh at yourself in moments of stupidity, embarrassment, and failure. If you take yourself too seriously, you will end up missing some of the greatest moments of life.

7. Striving to appear perfect is a waste of time. Christ didn’t die for your perfection; He died for your hot mess of a life.

8. Don’t be ashamed of your past, your family, the skeletons in your closet.  Everyone has their thing, so don’t be insecure about your thing.

9. God is for you, not against you. Emotions tell you differently, cling to truth.

10. Saying no is okay. Learning to say no to good things gives you the ability to say yes to the great things.

11. Anxiety is a real thing. 

12. Singleness is just as sanctifying as marriage.

13. The best way to kill a spider is with hairspray (#singlegirlwoes [see above]).

14. There is such a thing as too much Pinterest. Stop comparing and striving and live your life.

15. Sometimes being between a rock and a hard place means you’re between a good thing and a godly thing. Follow the godly thing, always.

16. There is something powerful about calling your mom and hearing her say that you are going to be okay. Being an adult is hard, and to have someone who knows you deeply tell you that you are going to make it? Soothes the soul like WOAH.

17. Don’t underestimate the power of a solo dance party.

18. You are not the friends you have, the medicine you take, the career you pursue, the man you marry, how well you fit into your jeans… You are found in Christ. Know that, believe that.

19. Take yourself on a date. Drive to the beach, go see a movie, eat lunch at your favorite café, splurge on a frilly coffee or a new dress.

20. The best way to grow in the Lord is on your knees.

21. Social media is a highlight reel. Real life is messy and gritty and wild and unfiltered. Live in that place.

22. Sometimes, the only accurate, valid response to life is a cuss word. (I am a sinner, obvi.)

23. A mentor can be the greatest, wisest choice you can make for yourself. Find someone who encourages you, challenges you, speaks truth into you, and texts you eCards and emojis and takes care of you when you have surgery and freak out over WebMD articles.

24. Prioritize rest.

25. Your high school crush is probably just as dreamy as he was in high school. At least, mine is…

What are some of the greatest lessons you have learned in your short time on earth?

Are you a fan of the solo dance party, and if not, WHY?

a coffee date...

If we were on a coffee date, I would redeem my free Starbucks birthday drink, because tomorrow is my birthday.

If we were on a coffee date, the topic of a quarter-life crisis would be discussed because I am turning 25 tomorrow and HOW DID THAT EVEN HAPPEN? WHAT IS LIFE?

If we were on a coffee date, we would talk about change. Are you good with change? How do you handle it? Because friends, apparently I am just horrible at it. Navigating change is NOT my spiritual gift, let me just tell you that right now.

If we were on a coffee date, I would share with you that I am SO thankful for the people in my life, for you. I am definitely blessed by the love, prayers, and care of a great army of people and I praise God for that every single day.

If we were on a coffee date, we would talk about make-up and appearance and how sometimes it’s just terribly exhausting. I assure you, the people of Trader Joe’s and Target do not care if we come to them in yoga pants, a messy bun, and no make-up. I am just here for the pumpkin cinnamon roles and Up & Up cleaning supplies, thank you very much.  

If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that my favorite pastor to listen to, as of late, is Louie Giglio. Please look up his sermon series, “Goliath Must Fall” and the sermon “Strong IN The Lord”. They will encourage your heart and change your life.

If we were on a coffee date, we would talk about rest and saying no and trusting in God.

*These posts are inspired by this lady. She's a new favorite.*