Thir-Tea-Three🥳
Today I turn 33, and instead of rushing past the moment, I wanted to sit with it. Reflect with it. Thank God in it. This isn’t just a birthday—it’s a milestone. Three decades of living, learning, losing, healing, and becoming. And as I sip my tea today, I couldn’t help but think about what I’d tell the versions of me that came before this one.
Not from a place of regret—but from gratitude.
What I’d tell my teenage self
You’re not missing anything. I know it feels like everyone else is ahead, more loved, more chosen, more seen—but you have everything you need right now. And whatever you don’t have, God will provide it in His time, not yours. Learn as much as you can. About God. About yourself. About what doesn’t belong to you. You’re not behind—you’re being protected.
What I’d tell my twenty-year-old self
People are going to be bothered by you—not because you’re doing something wrong, but because you’re doing you. Stay focused. Block out the distractions. Not every opinion deserves a seat at your table. This is your growing season, and growth requires boundaries. Grow as much as you need, not as much as others expect.
What I’d tell my thirty-year-old self
Be gentle with yourself. Healing isn’t linear, and becoming doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself permission to change—as often as you want, as deeply as you need. You are not betraying who you were; you are honoring who God is shaping you to be. Wholeness is not rushed, and grace is not earned.
As I step into year 33, gratitude is still my posture. I’m thankful for the lessons that matured me, the pain that clarified me, and the God who stayed with me through every version of myself. I’m thankful that I didn’t quit. I’m thankful that I kept choosing healing—even when it was uncomfortable. And I’m thankful that God is still writing my story.
And since this is Thankful Tea, we’re going to practice gratitude—birthday edition.
Today’s gratitude practice:
Write down three things you’re thankful for from each decade of your life so far. One from your teens. One from your twenties. One from your thirties. Let gratitude help you see how far God has brought you.
(If you want a place to capture these reflections, I’ll link my gratitude journal so you can keep honoring your journey intentionally.)
Now—Affirm Yourself Girl:
I honor every version of me that survived, healed, and made space for who I am becoming.
Let’s walk together.
Thank you for celebrating with me. Thank you for growing with me. Thank you for sitting in reflection instead of rushing to the next thing. My prayer is that this post reminds you it’s okay to pause, look back with compassion, and move forward with confidence—God isn’t finished yet.
Here’s to clarity.
Here’s to courage.
Here’s to consistency.
Here’s to becoming.
#WalkByFaithAndSlay + Pray each and every day… because God will make a way. ☕✨