life beyond the well…

Tag Archives: Dreams


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Reflecting on Growth: Embracing 2025 with Purpose

And just like that, we’re at the beginning of a new year.

When I think about my kids, I frequently think, “The days are long, but the years are short.” At each point, I marvel at how fast they are growing, meeting and exceeding milestones, and becoming the little people God has created them to be – AND also dragging to bedtime for a semblance of quiet before we rally up for another day. So while that is true for them, it’s true in general. The day-to-day grind feels incredibly long and mundane, and at the same time, we find ourselves trying to figure out how we’re at (insert point here) so fast.

I am thankful for 2024 – for the opportunities, the growth, the new relationships, the challenges, and everything in between. Last year at church, our theme was CONNECT – exploring how we connect with God, our family, our community, and ourselves. It was a challenge, especially as the end of 2023 felt incredibly hard, but as I reflect – I can see the ways that I have grown in my faith, built new relationships, been more intentional with my family, and in how I serve the community. I plan to take all of this forward into this new year, as I strive to honor God and all He has placed in me.

As I get older, I feel that I have more clarity on my why (my purpose) and all the things connected to that (what I like and dislike, my skills and talents, my interests). But not only that – I feel pressed to execute on that – and not in a “meet milestones for work” kind of way, but in a “fully utilize all that I am to the glory of God” kind of way. And so, that is what this next half of my life will be about – whether through marriage, parenting, leading, or serving – connecting the essence of who God has created me to be and pouring that out for His glory. This quote sums it up nicely:

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’.” – Erma Bombeck

Here’s to making it count – for His glory!

Until next time- be encouraged! Peace and blessings!


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40: My Race. My Pace. My Lane.

Photos by Rayvon Creates

To me, one of the most beautiful things about aging is that, for better or worse, we become more of who we are. I have watched women (and men) around me as we all have gotten older and it has been incredible to see them truly celebrate who they are with a richness and sense of joy and gratitude.

Living to become 40 years old is an incredible blessing. And I don’t know that I feel like it’s been 40 years. You can’t tell me that college wasn’t just yesterday – and yet I graduated from undergrad nearly 20 years ago. While there are many years behind me, I still feel like my best years are ahead. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow in love and marriage with Preacherman, watching the kids grow and achieve their dreams, impacting Jacksonville and beyond for the kingdom of God – the list is long!

As I’m approaching being “middle-aged” (or maybe I’m already there), I’m committed to running my race, at my pace, in my lane. I ran track for over 10 years, and one of the most common pieces of advice that I got from my coaches was, “Erin: Your race, your pace, your lane.” What they meant was that I didn’t need to spend time worrying about the people next to me. I needed to be focused on running the race that I had trained to run, at my pace, and I needed to stay in my lane. You see, what they knew, that I didn’t know at the time was that there’s a value in being focused on what you came to do. Also, you set yourself up to lose (or potentially be disqualified) when you become distracted and overly focused on others.

So at 40, I’m committed to running my race. I am growing in my understanding of who I am as a person with unique gifts and talents, called to make a difference in this world; and I am consistently seeking God for clarity on how those gifts and talents should be utilized, with the ultimate goal being that He is glorified.

I’m running at my pace. While there are others who may appear to be “ahead” of me based on the things they have or the life they are living (items, positions, titles, lifestyles, etc), it’s okay if it takes me a little longer to get there. Delays are not denials and He makes all things beautiful in His time.

I’m staying in my lane. If you have run track, you know that stepping out of your lane in a race can result in a disqualification. In the real world, stepping out of our lane may not result in disqualification, but it can create unnecessary tension and stress because you’re taking up someone else’s space. The truth of the matter is that my lane- the space of who I am and who I am called to be- is perfect for me.

While I’ve only been 40 for a few months, it has seemed less like “turning” and more like “becoming” – becoming more and more of who God has called me to be and being/becoming comfortable in that calling. Let’s see what God can do through me this year- and in the years to come!

Until next time- be encouraged! Peace and blessings!