Thriving in the 20'S

  I can't believe my eyes that has been at least two years since I graduated University of the Cumberlands!   If I have found any stage in my life challenging I would say its been thriving in the 20's. There are so many things I have dreamed up and desired to happen but at this stage in my life of being 25 I have been learning to accept the plans God has designed are perfect! This is very hard to accept I think because we are constantly in the comparison game of who is accomplishing what. We forget that God designed each story to  be written for His glory alone!

That has been my lesson to say the least ! My journey with God hasn't been boring at all. Challenging but rewarding!  If you asked me what my challenges are as a 25 year old I would tell you:

• Being in constant satisfaction in making the most of my singleness
• Trusting God to direct me to each season and that the seasons I am in are not by chance

The second one especially coming from two months to Colorado to a Call Center and a year in New York. The adventure has been thrilling but I'm also at a point of  still trying to figure out what to do with my passions that God has given me. That has been hard because I feel like God gives me one piece and  I have to wait for the next. Of course  I know that is life but lets face it as humans we want the whole picture!

However, I do want to celebrate the things I have accomplished in this year because I feel like the Lord has grown me so much! He has taught me to make the most of my time here in NYC for I will always long for season in my life. God has also taught me I have a choice to embrace joy in the opportunity as well because wishing things away robs from the moment! That as you grow that you never stop learning to embrace who you are.

Along with that the biggest accomplishment I can have in life is to follow Jesus. To remember also that its ok to not know. The disciples didn't even know all the details. They were common men who were fishing and they followed a stranger. So, if I have any advice to those of us that are in are 20's keep following!

I know this sounds so simplistic but maybe if we start with the follow we won't be so anxious trying to figure  out how to thrive in this adult world!

Hair Is Just Hair

 A couple weeks ago I decided to take the plunge! I went after the hair cut that I had been wanting to get for  a while! Now, I know that might sound little but for me this is huge because I tend to second guess myself. And  I tend to  let what other people think of me get to me ! Especially after this new adjustment where I have always had some what long hair my heart sunk with anticipation over the decision I made! I knew in my heart I was proud and I knew at the same time I didn't want to look awkward!

Now, I know I may sound dramatic but I am sharing this part of my life because I have struggled especially in my teen years wanting to feel beautiful! I mean I knew growing up that God saw me as beautiful but in my heart I found it hard to see. And hasn't been till my 20's that I started marching on a more confident beat! I'm telling you this is huge because usually I ask my friends what they think but now I'm really learning to own lately what I think and to know God made April unique as her own finger print!  And that's a huge deal! I won't even lie to you it's still hard looking in the mirror with the new cut but if any thing I'm learning to be grateful for the hair that I have and to remember that  beauty is skin deep! So, I close off saying to you my sisters, " What are some things you would do if you were bold?"

Embrace The Awkward

 Over the past couple of months and even during some of my college career I have had  yearning to write  and I have wrote on various topics but lately I am realizing I have a burning passion within me to encourage  women in society that we are more! For I know that this is my struggle as many. And it has been mine since I can remember dealing with my middle school years of discovery! I can't tell you how many times I would change something about my outward appearance  and even as I turn 25 this month I know I'm still at the edge my seat  embracing me but I have come to this reality that awkward is the new normal.
 If we were to all sit in a circle face to face with other women I believe we would  realize some truths if we took the risk but unfortunately shame has blocked us. Many of us have hid ourselves well and I am one to confess.
I am your average girl who realized her life was taking another curve as soon as she realize her teen years were coming. I am the girl in the 5th grade who put on cherry lip stick because she wanted to feel pretty. I am the girl who thought blond high lights were cool and then bridged over to the liquid eyeliner in the 8th grade. And if I could of been a voice to myself I would whisper back: " You don't  need  make up or to change who you are to feel beautiful because to Christ you are enough! I am also the girl who said she would never date because she saw all the wounds of the other teen girls around her but I confess I fell for the boy. Although we  were no where physical I emotionally gave myself away.
 I became blind to making Jesus my lover and not the boy. I became swayed by his words and not swayed by the words of God. I was in love with the idea of how the boy felt for me. And I wish I had been more in love with how God felt for me! And now I sit in the seat of a 25  year old soon to be realizing that people will always have their opinions but none will know me so deeply like God will! So, I challenge us to this platform of daring to be bold! I also look forward to sharing more of my God given story because I know if He spent the time He did on me that He longs to spend it on you! No, I'm not put together but in Him I am whole! He is my Creator and I am His new Creation.