25 Things I've Learned in 25 Years

 You see these all throughout Internet land, but I in particular was inspired by Evelyn from the Internets, "27 Things I Learned in 27 Years (Sister Sister Parody)"! The fact that it's a Sister Sister parody, makes an already amazing video, better! 

In lieu of being inspired by this video years ago, I figured 25 would be a milestone age to do just that. A quarter of a century. 25 rotations around the sun, golden year. Whatever you wanna say? It's rapidly approaching, so I figured I'd write this now (8/18/21), before things begin to pick up and I miss it. But first, I have a question. Do you know what's funnier than 24? Answer

Let's get to it and hopefully I don't blank!

1. One emotion is not greater than the other. As Ecclesiastes 3 states, there is a time for everything. Sometimes you won't have the capacity to laugh, other times, you only have the capacity to mourn and weep. That's totally okay. Don't feel bad for being a human, experiencing the emotions God has created. I was a super sensitive child until around middle school and it was like a flip switched. I'm now undoing that switched flip. 
2. Failure is inevitable, but you decide if you sit in it or get up and turn it into a lesson. As a child until middle school, I hated making C's. I had to make A's and B's or I'd condemn myself. As I look back it was a mixture of things ranging from pride, people pleasing and sinful perfectionism. I still struggle with all three of these, but thankfully not to the same extent.
3. Even though the Lord taught me a lot throughout undergrad in college, school isn't necessary to succeed. Yeah, I said it.
4. There is freedom in sharing your testimony and life with others. God created us for community, to further reflect himself through it.
5. Never try to force the hand of God, you'll get burnt, but above that God deserves our full obedience. He blocked it for a reason.
6. It's okay to like nice things, as long as those nouns don't become idols. After all, God is lavish. He created metals, stones, this Earth and the vastness surrounding it. 
7. Living by yourself has its pros and cons, just as living with others. Choose wisely. Solo living? Open your home. Living with others? Open your home + block out times of solitude.
8. Reading the Word, Prayer & Supplication are simultaneous needs.
9. Don't waiver when it comes to relationships or faith. Don't settle. Don't fear. Don't compromise. Stand firm in your convictions unapologetically.
10. Be honest.
11. Be yourself, at all times. There's nothing wrong with the personality God gave you.
12. Don't straddle the line of laziness.
13. Don't straddle the line of restlessness.
14. Throw your body image issues in the trash. Those 'imperfections' aren't, as they reflect and give glory to perfection Himself. 
15. Don't push the desires God gave you aside to appease humans He created.
16. Learning to love hard and openly. Still in-progress.
17. Regardless of what the world says, not everything needs a response. It shows a lot of supernatural strength to take thoughts captive, bite your tongue and fight fleshly responses by succumbing to the Spirit's holdings.
18. Friends. Real friends are treasures.
19. Family = ministry. Be wise.
20. Traveling is a privilege. Show gratitude, not everyone is blessed to be able to. Take lots of pictures and soak it in, as it's the stark, handiwork of God.
21. Let your yes' be that and your no's too. No conjunctions necessary. Seek the Lord for wisdom, because not every good opportunity warrants a yes.
22. Take the time to think/revisit about individual + collective prayers and see how God has responded.
23. Don't apologize unnecessarily. Example: If you lovingly share something that may make said person(s) uncomfortable (sharing the truth in love). 
24. When fear and anxiety seems to encompass your being, take the energy + time it takes to sulk in that and lean into God. Don't worry about anything. There's no fear in love.
25. Don't apologize when your boundaries are tested, don't waiver.