25 Lessons I’m Taking Away from 2025

It’s easy to jump from one year to the next without stopping. This time, I wanted to pause and remember some of the bigger lessons this year had to offer — the things that shaped how I think, create, rest, and trust God moving forward.

1. Build slow, not fast

Speed often looks impressive, but it doesn’t always lead to strength. Building slowly gives things time to take root, to be tested, and to last. I’ve learned that rushing usually creates cracks you have to repair later. Slow growth may be quieter, but it sure does last longer.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1

2. Put things in biblical order

When life feels chaotic, something is usually out of alignment. I’ve learned that putting things in the order God designed—before ambition, before outcomes, before approval—brings peace even when circumstances stay hard.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” — Matthew 6:33

3. You don’t have to hold space for everyone

The internet encourages constant availability, but wisdom calls for discernment. Holding space is a gift, not an obligation. Guarding your peace is not unloving; it’s necessary. Not everyone needs access to your inner world.

“Above all else, guard your heart.” — Proverbs 4:23

4. Not everything needs a rebrand

Some things don’t need to be renamed, refreshed, or repositioned to be valuable. Constant rebranding can be a way of avoiding contentment or consistency. I’ve learned to appreciate what works, what lasts, and what doesn’t need to be reintroduced every season. Thank you, Cracker Barrel.

“Do not move an ancient boundary stone.” — Proverbs 22:28

5. Nothing is truly private anymore

We live in a world where everything is documented and shared. Cameras are everywhere. Stories travel fast. If you’re in public, assume you’re visible. Walk upright. Speak carefully. Carry yourself with dignity. Thank you, kiss cams.

“For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed.” — Luke 8:17

6. Social media is not your journal

Not every thought needs an audience. Not every emotion needs to be posted. There’s wisdom in discernment and restraint. Some things are better processed privately before they’re ever shared publicly.

“The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves.” — Proverbs 12:23

7. People may tear you down even when you’re trying to help

Good intentions don’t guarantee a good reception. Sometimes help is rejected for reasons that make no sense. It’s okay to step back and let people take responsibility for themselves. Even Jesus didn’t force help where it wasn’t welcomed.

“Jesus did not entrust Himself to them.” — John 2:24

8. Don’t try so hard to be relevant

Relevance fades quickly. Truth doesn’t. Authenticity lasts longer than trends ever will.

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” — Galatians 1:10

9. Have your own voice — not an AI one

More and more, everything sounds the same. AI has made it easy to sound articulate without saying anything of depth or personality. Your voice matters because it carries lived experience, wrestled-through faith, and hard-won wisdom. Don’t trade that for something that sounds like a robot. 

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” — Romans 12:6

10. Test everything

I keep seeing phrases circulate online with Bible verse citations, presented as if they are Scripture. It isn’t. I’ve watched many faithful Christians share these without checking. The issue isn’t the Word. The issue is how casually people handle it. Check your sources, folks. 

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21

11. There’s power in staying

This year, I walked through several situations I wanted to run from. Like, run fast. And I'm not a runner. Instead of leaving, God invited me to stay—to wait, trust Him, and do hard things to make it work. Staying wasn’t passive. It was active obedience.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” — Psalm 37:7

12. Sometimes, leaving is required

Staying isn’t always the answer. There are times when God calls us to leave, even when we don’t want to. Discernment means knowing the difference—and trusting His wisdom either way.

“Go from your country… to the land I will show you.” — Genesis 12:1

13. Obedience still counts at the 11th hour

People say delayed obedience isn’t obedience at all. I disagree. God isn’t surprised by your delay—He plans for it. Even if you’re late. Even if it took longer than you thought. If God is still asking, He still honors your obedience. 

“At the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

14. Quiet time doesn’t always look the same 

Sometimes prayer looked like sitting in my car, talking to Jesus. Sometimes it looked like reading a book that wasn’t the Bible. Sometimes it looked like staring out the window. I learned that presence matters more than performance. Now I stare out the window and trust God is enjoying the view with me.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

15. Do joyful things even when they don’t feel joyful

Managing a chronic condition affects motivation and emotions more than I like to admit. This year, the Lord invited me to keep doing the things that once brought joy, even when the excitement wasn’t there. The result? You guessed it, joy.

“In your presence there is fullness of joy.” — Psalm 16:11

16. Go at your pace

I easily forget I’m managing a chronic condition and assume I need to keep up with everyone else. Not true. Wisdom looks like honoring your limits, asking for help, and giving yourself what you need.

“My grace is sufficient for you.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

17. Not everything has a reason

Sometimes people—or the enemy—do messy things, and we’re left to clean up what we didn’t cause. The mess is easier when I don’t take it as an identity statement. What happened to you is not who you are.

“The thief comes only to steal and destroy.” — John 10:10

18. Get good insurance

My car was stolen, found, and repaired in four days. Stressful—but not devastating. Preparation matters. Wisdom often looks boring until you need it. Thank you, Geico.

“The prudent see danger and take refuge.” — Proverbs 22:3

19. You don’t have to wait for “one day”

I’ve always wanted a Christmas village in my home. This year, instead of telling myself “one day,” I wrote one into existence in The Christmas Time Glitch. It reminded me that imagination has room here—and that I can write humor like a twelve-year-old boy if I want to.

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” — Walt Disney

20. People are waiting for you to do the thing

This year, I started a coffee chat group simply because I wanted something non-work, non-church, non-facilitated. Just coffee and conversation. It turns out other people wanted that too. If you’ve been thinking about something, chances are someone else has too. Go do the thing!

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on.” — Hebrews 10:24

21. Systems matter

For years, I’d been writing and building, but everything lived everywhere. Some books were on Amazon. Some were on my website. It felt like chaos. This year, I finally got everything synced into one system. My life is easier. My writing has a home. And I have more space to create.

“Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” — 1 Corinthians 14:40

22. Don’t outsource your creativity

When I first started writing, I designed my own magazines and graphics, and I loved it. Over time, it became easier to outsource creative work. This year, I found my way back. God reminded me that I’m not just called to write—I’m called to create. Beauty matters. And people experience His love through it. Including me.

“He has filled them with skill.” — Exodus 35:35

23. Don’t limit yourself

For as long as I can remember, I didn’t think I’d ever write fiction. This year, I wrote a middle-grade story about a magical Christmas village made of candy. The limitation wasn’t my ability—it was my belief.

”All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney 

24. A whole lot of nervous system regulation

Not everything this year was a lesson. A lot of it was learning how to regulate my nervous system—resting, slowing down, breathing, and feeling safe again. It wasn’t flashy or spiritual-sounding. It was necessary.

“Peace I leave with you.” — John 14:27

25. Apparently, this is a marathon

Doctoral work is a lot. It takes time, focus, and more energy than I sometimes have. This season is forcing me to slow down and manage my capacity instead of pushing through. Apparently, that applies to life, too. Oh, and cite everything. Everything.

26. Bonus. A little joy through dancing

Robert Irwin danced across the stage — and across our hearts — and brought us all a little joy this year. I think we all needed that.

There it is. That’s what I’m taking with me. Watch out, 2026. I’m walking in wiser than I was before.