Reflecting on 25: Gratitude, Self-Discovery, and Faith
Hello Lovelies,
As I celebrate my 25th birthday today, I find myself immersed in a moment of gratitude. Grateful to be alive, to have experienced life’s myriad lessons, and to embrace the journey of self-discovery. This milestone feels like a pivotal point, marking not just the passing of time, but a journey toward embracing my authentic self – a journey toward understanding and embodying "Jadesha."
Gratitude fills my heart as I reflect on the invaluable lessons life has offered me. Amidst these lessons, there's a profound truth that resonates with me deeply: the importance of trusting in God's plan and releasing the grip on how things "should" be. Through these years, I've learned to stop grieving the idealized versions of situations and instead, surrender to the wisdom that lies within the scripture.
Dress: JLUXLABEL- GREEN CELESTINA DRAPED MAXI DRESS
Shoes: Amazon- Gold Heels
In this celebration of life and learning, here are 25 Godly lessons I've gathered along my journey:
Trust in God's Plan:
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Patience is a Virtue:
James 5:7 - "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains."
Power of Prayer:
Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Faith Over Fear:
Isaiah 41:10 - "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Gratitude in All Things:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Kindness Matters:
Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Forgiveness Frees You:
Colossians 3:13 - "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Be Slow to Anger:
James 1:19-20 - "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
True Beauty is Internal:
1 Peter 3:3-4 - "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."
Guard Your Heart:
Proverbs 4:23 - "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."
Generosity Multiplies:
2 Corinthians 9:6 - "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
Serve Others:
Mark 10:45 - "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Embrace Change:
Isaiah 43:19 - "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Joy in Adversity:
Romans 5:3-4 - "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope."
Seek Wisdom:
James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Invest in Relationships:
Proverbs 18:24 - "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Take Care of Your Temple:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Humble Yourself:
James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Set Boundaries:
Proverbs 4:23 - "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."
Learn from Failures:
Proverbs 24:16 - "For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity."
Choose Your Battles:
Proverbs 15:1 - "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Live in the Present:
Matthew 6:34 - "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Prioritize Sabbath Rest:
Exodus 20:8 - "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Stay Teachable:
Proverbs 19:20 - "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."
Love Unconditionally:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
As I step into this next chapter of my life, I commit to embracing "Jadesha" wholeheartedly – honoring self-discovery, cultivating gratitude, and leaning into the faith that has been a guiding light. May the years ahead be adorned with continued growth, unwavering faith, and an abundance of love.
Thank you, God, for 25 years of life's teachings, for the unwavering grace, and for the endless opportunities to become the best version of myself. Here's to the beautiful journey ahead and may my whole life prove that God is good.
With love,
Jadesha M. Hair
