Seasons...

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Tis' the season that I enjoy window shopping coupled with a seasonal cups of coffee. You know, Starbies PLUS seasonal store decorations is the perfect equation for a wonderful holiday season. I think I love the extravagant, modern, yet classic Christmas decorations. I love how people are so focused on being generous. The importance of family is more real and tangible during the holiday season. The definition of "family" becomes more real as well. For me, navigating the holidays in another country is...different. This is the first year that I am not going anywhere. I am going to spend my holiday at home...in England.

The word "home" has changed too. I am originally from Gary, Indiana. Then, my family moved to Michigan City, Indiana. Then I moved to Madison, Alabama. I lived in Georgia for about 7 years before moving back to Huntsville, Alabama. By the time I got my job in England, I was living and teaching in Decatur, Alabama! Now, I live in England. My husband's home is Nigeria. As soon as I got off the plane at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, God confirmed Nigeria as my home as well. They say, "Home is where your heart is!" My heart has been supernaturally bound to Nigeria forever! I love this for me!

I got married on Thanksgiving. This means that we will also get to exchange anniversary gifts at the beginning of Christmas season! I love that for us! I love to give gifts. While I love money and gift cards, I love meaningful gifts. I like people to walk around a store and buy me things that they think that I would like. I also like it when people create handmade things for me. I'm easy to please. For me, it is the thought that means the most to me.

A few years back I began buying myself gifts for various milestones in my life. I always buy a signature color lipstick for my birthday. The lipstick is kinda' pricey. It is my annual splurge. For Christmas, I will buy something that is going to help me in my health journey such as spa treatments, workout clothing or trainers. This year, I am gifting myself with a 90 minute massage, and a fancy dinner.

In my social-emotional healing I gave myself "doors." These doors were installed in my love and attention. There was a time in my life that I assessed my self worth by who stayed in my life. However, I was set free from the enslavement of people-pleasing. I surrendered to God. There is no such thing as coincidence! God has ordained the concept of time. There is a time and season for everyone to be in my life...and to leave! I choose to not fight for it. This is not an anthem of bad behavior, but of freedom. Freedom from toxic relationships. Freedom from emotional abuse. Freedom from people-pleasing. Freedom to love-well and be a good steward of the time I have with people.

There are doors to my love and attention. You can come and go as you please. Jesus let Judas go and do what was in his heart. Judas could have come back. Jesus never left, but He allowed Judas to go. Peter left, but came back. John never left. All these various relational expressions, yet Jesus remained unbothered. His love was unwavering! He was submitted to the mission He was put on this earth to complete.

I am still realizing my mission. I know that there is more for me to complete. Right now, I am a newly married wife. I want to be a better friend. I am becoming a better teacher. Installing DOORS into my love and attention is helping me focus on my purpose. I can not be ME and worry about people who so easily leave.

Why do people leave? I don't know. Seasons change. People are for you until you choose to step out of the the box they created for you. People leave because their time with you is complete. People grow out of you. People need the space to "work out their own salvations/ healing." Being healed means that people who are sick can no longer bond with you. The gift I gave myself was DOORS. I let people leave.

Don't get me wrong...people who so easily leave can not be in the inner-circle! I see them. There is no hard feelings. In 2025, I am not allowing myself to run after people. I will not dilute who I am to meet the needs of the unstable! I have a mission that is bigger than me.

I love this season of the year. There is so much change. People are more generous. It seems like the year ends with so much love, hope and anticipation. As we end the year, we are looking forward to changes that need to be made for next year. In all the gift giving, give yourself the gift of "Doors!" Not everyone is going with you into 2025. You must step out of the box and step into what God has called you to do. Don't hold grudges. Let God prune you. When they leave...and they will...let them go! Allow God to put doors in your love and attention. Recalibrate your attention. Steward your mission and purpose of life well!

This is your YOU season! Be YOU! Celebrate!