The Year I learned who I am in Christ - 25 Simple Lessons for 2025

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

2025 was a humbling year - at least for me personally. When you look at Briston and I's life as a whole, it was a great year: we bought a house, the business grew, we got pregnant with our second daughter, etc.

But for me personally, it was a year of sacrifice, surrender, and submission.

• At the beginning of the year, we moved out of our 1-bedroom apartment and into a 20-foot camper.

• Then, in the spring, God asked me to give up my writing goals and go all in with Texas Outlaw. I began working full-time for our business.

• In August, we found out we were pregnant with our second daughter, and as much as we were excited, it was bittersweet. I had to change my goal of training for a marathon to a half-marathon.

Pretty much deny self to serve others first.

It's funny because the word the Lord gave me for 2025 was Glory. Ha! Not much glory came to me this year... but that's the point. As I reflect on the year, I can see how these decisions ultimately brought God glory, not myself.

I am thankful for the lessons. The three moments I mentioned above were not easy for my flesh, but they have enriched my soul in many ways.

Here are 25 simple lessons I learned this year and how they have made me a better Christian, wife, mom, and friend:

Financial Lessons:

1. You don't need a lot. Living in a camper proved that.

2. Simple living might look poor, but it makes your bank account rich.

3. Finances and a luxurious lifestyle don't make you happy - being generous and wise with your finances does.

Entrepreneurial Lessons:

4. You can live reactively or proactively. The choice is yours.

5. Owning a business doesn't mean you work less. Actually, you will work MORE!

6. People will not understand your decisions, and that's okay. You aren't here to please them. You're here to please God.

7. Live in a way that surprises people and pleases God. You can make a difference in people's lives.

8. Some decisions you make based on the business's needs/wants, and some decisions you make based on your family's needs/wants. You and your spouse must talk about which one takes priority for that decision.

9. Pray before every decision.

10. Constantly encourage, support, and build up your husband. He has a lot of pressure on him.

Family Lessons:

11. Sacrificing for your family is a greater success than pursuing your own goals.

12. Raising children is not a burden. It is what we as adults are called to do - so do it well.

13. How you disciple and love your children is a reflection of how you will disciple and love people.

14. Pregnancy is beautiful.

Marriage Lessons:

15. My husband comes before my kids, my job, and my goals.

16. Sex is amazing (lol). Keep safe guardrails on your marriage so that impurities don't seep in.

Personal Lessons:

17. You are not here to pursue your own goals. You are here to do God's will - whatever that be.

18. Your purpose is to love God and love people - no matter what "job" you have.

19. Your identity and worth are not in what you do but who you are in Christ.

20. Patience is a part of walking with God - trust His timing.

21. Quit trying to do what everyone else is doing. Focus on what God wants you to do.

Faith Lessons:

22. God doesn't want us to be busy - He wants us to be intentionally productive.

23. If Satan can't stop you, he will distract you.

24. Focus on less so that you can do more.

25. Listen to the discernment and prophetic vision God gives you. He's showing it for a reason. Don't doubt it. Pray about it!

I am excited for 2026 and what else God has in store for our family. I spent so much of this year trying to find/discover the things God wanted me to do, rather than abiding in the blessings he already gave me. 2026 is going to be a year where I focus, surrender, and bless.

What have you learned in 2025, and how is it shaping you for 2026?