Anchored in Gratitude: What This Season Has Taught Me
It has been a minute since I have written a blog, and oh, how I have missed it. Missed writing. Missed reflecting. Missed sharing my heart with you. I am grateful to be back, even if it is just for this one post for now, with more to come later.
These past two months have been full—full of joy, full of pain, full of stretching and learning—but I am grateful. Deeply grateful. I know that everything God has allowed me to experience is working together for my good. Romans 8:28.
This morning, as I smell the turkey baking in the oven, sip my homemade vanilla latte, and nibble on my pumpkin bread, I’m sitting in a posture of gratitude. Thinking over this last year and all of its goodness. I completed a full season—12 episodes—of the I Am M.U.C.H. Woman Podcast. What an accomplishment. What a dream come true. I hope and pray to return for Season 2 when the time is right.
To everyone who tuned in, shared an episode, or encouraged me along the way—thank you.
As I reflect, I want to revisit the last two episodes of the season: Lunch Break Liberation and Friends Who Can Hold the Real You, Not Just the Best of You. These conversations blessed me in ways I did not expect.
I loved introducing you to more of my incredible friend-girls. Jill and Jada constantly pour into me, teaching me about rest, pause, and caring for myself without guilt. Every time I am with them, my cup overflows. There is something sacred about sharing space with women who are intentionally seeking wholeness.
Friends Who Can Hold the Real You…
This one was transforming.
Before recording, I spent time reflecting deeply on what it means for someone to “hold the real you.” What does that look like lived out? How should you feel in your friendships?
You shouldn’t feel like you have to perform.
Oh, how I have felt that in certain friendships in the past.
There were relationships where it became clear that if I wasn’t performing, the friendship wouldn’t last—or wouldn’t feel safe. And then there were friendships where I was the one performing, and the relationship suffered… but when I stopped performing, those friendships grew stronger, healthier, and more meaningful.
So today, I want to say thank you—to all my friend-girls (and friend-guys 🙂) who have wanted nothing more than the authentic me.
Who appreciate me more for being real than for putting on any kind of show.
Who have loved me through the joys and the hard seasons.
Who have listened to me when I needed to talk a little extra, hugged me when I needed it most, and covered me with patience, love, and grace.
I am grateful. Today and always.
To you, beautiful reader, I encourage you to seek alignment in friendships—friends who can hold your joy and your pain. Who have your best interest at heart. Who can forgive and be forgiven. Who can love well because they have learned how to receive love well.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed… If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.”
— Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)
To God Be the Glory Forever and Ever. Amen.