Today is my 23rd birthday, and somehow that feels weird to say. As I sit here and look back over the last year of my life I find it incredible to see what all has changed, what has stayed the same, and what is still to be. 22 was great, but my not-so-secret prayer is for 23 to be a year for the books & a year of the Lord’s favor. To celebrate my birthday, I thought it seemed fitting to share 23 lessons from my 23 years of life. Some are funny, some are sad, some are sassy, but all of them are overly blunt and real.
1. Following Jesus is the best, hardest, most worthwhile decision one will ever make/ I have ever made. Singed, sealed, delivered. Maybe I should drop the mic and walk away there. I do not regret making a dash for the altar in the 4th grade and the 45.8 other times since that some random bible-basher has convinced me that somehow I do not TRULY know the Lord. Guess, what? I do. And it has been my favorite decision. Nevertheless, I digress.
2. People pleasing will get you nowhere and leave you with the appearance of being spineless. I am still learning this lesson. But really, JUST SAY NO TO PEOPLE PLEASING!
3. If you have to question their intentions or dissect every interaction, that boy (or girl) probably isn’t into you and you need to move on to someone that is. That, or have the courage to be blunt and ask.
4. Speaking of courage, rarely will you regret that 20 seconds of insane courage. Just do it.
5. Make time for adventures & challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone. Travel as much as you can.
6. Find joy in the ordinary; there is beauty in being alone and hermiting all day. If I could, I WOULD.
7. That honey bun is totally worth the spanking. 6 year old Jennie didn’t give up, and neither should you.
8. Listen to your gut; if you don’t feel like you should go, don’t go. If you don’t feel like you should eat that, then for THE SAKE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT IN THIS WORLD, PLEASE do not eat it. You can thank me later.
9. Listen to the wisdom of people around you, especially those older than you. You don’t know it all. Sorry, champ.
10. Spend longer time in community with God on the days you don’t feel like it. It is always worth it.
11. Ask for help when you need help. This doesn’t mean you are a failure.
12. When forced to pick between staying up all night and cramming for that quiz or staying up all night to watch Lord of the Rings, pick Lord of the Rings. Sorry, I’m not sorry.
13. Don’t hold on to hostility, it only eats you alive…and dwelling in that is like allowing yourself to sit in a pile of poo. Don’t be that poopy person.
14. If asked to choose between Cherry Coke and anything else, pick Cherry Coke.
15. Sneaking Five Guys into that one crappy movie you’ve been secretly dying to see is always worth it. Take yourself to that movie and treat-yo-self!
16. Let your yes be a yes, and your no be a no.
17. Love people well. They are worth your time.
18. Don’t let other people tell you how you should feel.
19. Inviting someone that is eating alone to eat with you is always worth it. Sometimes awkward, but really worth it.
20. Don’t be afraid to leave. You can’t always come back, but you can love what you left in a different way.
21. If you don’t have at least 5 outfits in mind when you are purchasing an item, do not buy it. Even if the shoes are really cute.
22. Be gracious with yourself & be gracious with others.
23. Sometimes the most brutal of endings lead to the most beautiful beginnings. Embrace the storm and keep going; God is faithful.
I could keep going, but I’ll make myself pause for sake of saying that I’m excited for all the lessons I still have to learn.
My words for 23 are: Grace, Courage, & Peace.
My verse? Joshua 1:9 (NRSV)- “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Unlike any other year, I have a general idea of what this year will kind of be. A beautiful adventure, deep struggle, and exciting walk. I can’t wait to see how I change in the next year and how I stay the same. Next year, let’s plan a party in Zambia…who’s in?
