The 24th Birthday Project: Day Seven

 Gratitude

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work” (Genesis 2:2)

The 7^th day, the perfect day, the day of my birth. I have a lot to be thankful for, my heart is so full of joy. I am 24 years old today and I see more and more each year I have on this earth as a gift.  I am so grateful for life. I have air in my lungs, I am not starving, my safety to and fro wherever I go is guaranteed, I have family and friends who love me, I have a steady income, etc. The list goes on.

I’m especially grateful for being accepted into the SprinNG 2021 Writing Fellowship. I feel so proud to be one of the 44 potential writers chosen out of 568 applicants. Having a mentor is something I haven’t experienced before and for 4-6 weeks I get to work on my craft with proper guardianship. It’s amazing starting this new chapter of my life with this win. I’m hopeful for what the rest of the year will bring.

I spent the last few months of my 23^rd year struggling not to let sadness and disappointments drown me. I spent lots of nights sleeping on tear-soaked pillows and woke up with hope in my heart and a smile on my face. It was an exhausting circle, fighting to catch my breath through the tears, trying to hear myself think and pull myself out of the block. I thank God so much; my heart is so full of gratitude. Psalm 23 says, “Even if I walk through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me.” In Isaiah 15, a sentence stands out to me, “Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you”. I felt God with me at every point, he never left me. There are many other verses in the bible that affirms God’s love and I love going through them over and over. That is where my strength comes from.

I understand that trials are a part of life and they will come at different points in my life, in various forms. The strength to handle a bigger piece of life will depend on how I handle these trials. Each phase of my life is an answered prayer and I will continue to give thanks.

I chose happiness today and always. I am grateful to everyone who spent time to read my articles, thank you and God bless you.