25

I’ve searched and searched for words to share about where I’ve been, how I’ve been, and who I’ve been in the past year. For now, this is all I have.

I used to think that the real reason I wasn't doing everything I've always wanted to do was that I didn't have enough time. With even one extra hour a day, I figured I'd start cooking fancy meals, sit down with a good book, learn an instrument, or spend more time in prayer. Maybe I'd volunteer my time with local organizations, or sit down to write more blog posts. Imagine all that I could do, if only I had more time.

This year, that idea was challenged in all of the right ways. With more time than ever before, I wasn't able to hide behind "what-ifs." I quickly realized that more time also meant more time to waste, feel anxious, and build unhealthy habits. After embracing those negative aspects a little too much, I am happy to say I found a rhythm that worked for me and helped me appreciate the things around me in a new way.

Mainly, all I really want to say is that year 25 has been so, so good for me. God has used this time to draw me closer to Him, and for that, I’m extremely thankful. My prayer is that you’d draw closer too.

“I've wondered, though, if one of the reasons we fail to acknowledge the brilliance of life is because we don't want the responsibility inherent in the acknowledgment. We don't want to be characters in a story because characters have to move and breathe and face conflict with courage. And if life isn't remarkable, then we don't have to do any of that; we can be unwilling victims instead of grateful participants.” — Donald Miller —