Celebrating 45: Reflections on Simplicity, Surrender & Strength
This week I celebrated my 45th birthday.
And I LOVE birthdays!
Every year, I pause to reflect on how lucky I am to be on this earth and all of the things I get to experience. Some years are better than others, but I’m always thankful.
I like to tease my husband about what he’s planning for my birthday.
At 30, he ended up in the hospital with appendicitis. (Happy birthday to me!)
At 40, he organized a drive-by parade—right at the start of the lockdown. Toilet paper gifts and all.
At 45, I decided to embrace simplicity: no parties, no parades—just tacos, a high school jazz concert, and a grocery store cake I ate out of the clamshell at 10 p.m.
And you know what?
✨ It was a perfect day.
Looking Back to Move Forward
This birthday season brought a flood of reflection—on how much has changed over the past year.
A year ago, starting a business was just a thought.
Nine months ago, I didn’t even have a business name.
Six months ago, I launched my brand and website.
And three months ago, I almost walked away from it all.
I was battling imposter syndrome. Everyone online seemed to be doing it better. I couldn’t see my own progress—just my gaps.
But then, just before Lent, God nudged me to stay the course.
Adding Instead of Giving Up
Rather than giving something up for Lent, I decided to add more of what draws me closer to Him. I found strength in the lyrics of Elevation Worship’s Do It Again:
“I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again.”
That became my prayer.
Not “Please make this work.”
But “Guide me as You create this.”
Looking back, I wonder—maybe God allowed my fear of failure not to defeat me…
but to lead me back to Him.
For the One Who Feels Unsteady
What are you walking through right now that feels uncomfortable?
Have you paused to process it—or are you just pushing through on your own strength?
As ministry leaders and coaches, we often carry the burden of having it all together. But His grace says:
“You don’t have to.”
Even our doubt can become a vessel for connection and testimony.
This week, I was struck by Romans 14. Paul speaks to both the strong and the weak—encouraging each to lift the other up. Not one better than the other. Just different roles in different seasons.
Let’s Support One Another
If you're feeling weak right now, reach out to someone who seems strong. I promise—they’re likely weak in an area where you’re strong.
Start a conversation.
Write down your takeaways.
Let God use it to guide your next step.
If you're feeling strong right now, be intentional. Who in your circle might be struggling?
A text of encouragement.
An unexpected phone call.
A short walk-and-talk.
The weak don’t always reach out—not because they don’t want to, but because they’re afraid of rejection.
A little encouragement can open the door to breakthrough.
My Birthday Wish for You
So here’s my birthday wish for you:
Make the next 365 days your best yet.
Take a chance.
Start something new.
Practice gratitude in all circumstances.
Let hope anchor you.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
— Hebrews 6:18–19 (NIV)
You don’t have to do it alone—
and you were never meant to.