I’m so blessed. My mother and I always celebrate our birthdays together. Her birthday is September 5th and my birthday is the 6th. It is a gift to have her in my life. I am grateful for her love, wisdom, and strength.
She has taught me so much and as we both grow older, it’s been amazing to walk this journey together. We have gone through so many experiences together—so much fun, so many new opportunities, so much love, and a lot of pain and loss.
I am the most appreciative of her not only teaching me about God but living out what it means to be a Christian. She models for me what it means to love even when it is hard. She lives out patience and kindness and yet, has developed boundaries to protect her peace, joy, and sanity.
I continue to take what she’s taught me and made it a part of my life. Life has also taught me a lot. In celebrating this new year around the sun, I’d like to reflect on some lessons I’ve learned:
- Your words matter.
The other day, a wonderful lady wrote a post discussing an experience she had in her early 20s. She elaborated on the impact of older women pouring into her life and her gratitude.
I was thankful she thought about me. We’ve had a number of conversations and I’ve been so impressed with her brilliance and tenacity. Little did I know that I made a difference in her life.
It’s important to make sure that our words are empowering and offer life. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV) Your words have power. - Sow and reaping are real.
Lately, I’ve seen so many people make decisions that only serve them not recognizing the consequences that may go far beyond them. I witness people driving reckless because they are trying to get somewhere quickly instead of leaving early.
I’ll never forget the news story of a lady who didn’t want to be late for work. She had been written up for it and was afraid for her job. One morning, she hit someone and instead of stopping, she went to work. Ultimately, she was arrested.
The crazy thing is that she will no longer have to worry about being late for work because of her decision. She was shortsighted and although it wasn’t intentional to hurt someone, her inability to think about consequences of her actions cost her severely.
“For each will have to bear his own load. One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:5-18) Plant well for a good harvest. - Time is precious and limited. Use it well and know the season you are in.
It’s been overwhelming to witness the number of losses that have occurred during this pandemic. Just this week, I’ve seen friends and colleagues lose spouses, mothers, and children.
We do not know the day or hour that we will leave this planet but what we do know is that we have been given the opportunity to use our lives in a way that bring joy to others and glorify God.
Every day matters. How are you making memories and a difference with your life? Time is a currency. How are you spending it?
Just as there are seasons to determine the times of the year, we also have seasons in our life. Pay attention to the season you are in. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh….” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)
There are so many more lessons that I’ve learned, and others were affirmations of what I knew but needed to be reminded. I have so much to be thankful for! God is so good and I’m grateful for my family and my friends.
Here’s to another year around the sun…Happy Birthday to me!
Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the host of the Tapestry Podcast and the author of three books for women. She is also the Vice President of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas. To learn more, visit drfroswa.com.
