A tricenarian's 31 wishes

I turned 31 the day before Good Friday. For someone who works at a church, having your birthday fall in Holy Week is pretty challenging. So I’d say my birthday fell on Turbulent Thursday. Only today, a couple of days after Resurrection Sunday, am I able to breathe and reflect on my birthday.

I got inspired by an old blog post by Hannah Brencher when she was spreading out her birthday wishes. So I decided to do the same. Like her, I don’t particularly need thirty-one wishes. I have been blessed. I want for nothing. So I’m inspired a little to share my wishes with the world. Thirty-one wishes for thirty-one years of life. Even thinking of what to wish for might get tough after a while. That said, it’s my birthday (week). At least let me try.

My first wish is for the people who are home for me. I have struggled for many seasons with the idea of “home”, and I struggle with wanting to run away. But there are the few whose presence and strength becomes home for me. They know my heart and my struggles, yet they never shirked away from it. I wish that they will boldly love and deeply root themselves in Christ.

My second wish is for my family, the ones connected by blood and the ones connected by choice. May they rest in the knowledge that the Prince of Peace is in control.

My third wish is for those who have taken part in my life, be it one season or multiple seasons. That they will find what it is that their heart longs for.

My fourth is for my teens. That they will understand that the present temporary things does not dictate their entire life, and there are choices that is important because they are eternal.

My fifth is for all who struggle every time they look in the mirror. I wish that they will see past the world’s expectations and past hurts and see someone who is loved.

My sixth wish is for the geeks and the geeks-at-heart, the ones who revel in new book smells and dusty library vibes. I hope that you always experience the giddiness of starting new adventures and of entering new worlds. And may you always dwell in wonder.

My seventh wish is for the preachers and teachers and mentors who have inspired me and encouraged me in my faith. May your lamp always have oil in it, and may you guard the joy even as things get dark.

My eighth wish is for all those who are searching. Some are searching with a purpose, others are searching for a purpose. Even more are not sure what they are searching for. May all the seekers find, and may it be life giving.

My ninth is for those who are grieving. It’s difficult to celebrate a birthday when you’re grieving. It’s difficult to grieve when someone’s celebrating. But I hope that the grieving find comfort. And then hope. And then the peace to live on.

My tenth is for the writers who have inspired me and are inspiring others. May your words fly straight and may you speak truth to dispel darkness. Because once, someOne said, “Let there be light.” And the lights came on.

My eleventh wish is for the ones who are going to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. My graduating seniors. May you cherish the memories you’ve made, and may you have the boldness to make new ones.

My twelfth is for those who are burning out - even when they are doing the things they absolutely love. The moms who are exhausted and awake at ungodly hours. The college students taking more credits than they should ever take. The caregivers who always give care yet receive little to no care themselves. I wish that you will find strength to bear what you can bear, the resolution to create boundaries, and the heart to not get bitter.

My thirteenth is for those who think they cannot make it on their own. I hope you look at yourself in the mirror and see strength. You are enough.

My fourteenth wish is for anyone out there who have been striving and who have somehow defined their worth by their strivings. May you rest your burdens down and laugh. A lot. Over coffee or tea. And just be with people because it’s fun.

My fifteenth wish is for the musicians out there. The composers and arrangers, the stars and the session players. May you dance with the music and laugh with the friendships.

My sixteenth wish is for those who would love to try new things but are afraid to start. I hope you start this year, and I hope it thrills you.

My seventeenth wish is for those who have made mistakes and don’t know if the world will ever take you back. My wish is for you to forgive yourself and to give yourself grace. May you give yourself second chances and third chances and fourth and fifth ones too. Not to make the same mistakes, but to have the freedom to live better.

My eighteenth wish is for the ones who are young. May you take responsibility for your own actions and for the world you live in. May you feel ownership of this world and may you be informed so you are able to love this world well.

My nineteenth is for world peace. Because we really do need it, don’t we?

My twentieth is for those who are speaking on behalf of the powerless. May your voice ring true, and may it echo through the halls of palaces and governments until it is heard around the world.

My twenty-first is for those who are in charge. Of PTA groups and of small groups and for church groups and for nations. May you learn to love people before the agenda.

My twenty-second is for all who are struggling on the inside all while successfully making others believe they are “together” on the outside. May you find things and moments and people who make you smile on the outside as well as on the inside. And may you find wholeness.

My twenty-third is for all of us. That we will celebrate each day and tell the people we love how much we love them. Stop to smell the roses or the coffee beans. Stop to smile at the sun or to greet the wind.

My twenty-fourth is for the children and teenagers growing up without their parents. May you come to know how precious your life is, and may you find home even in a place you least expect it.

My twenty-fifth is for the adults who are young at heart. It’s never too late to read fairy tales again. Dream big. Don’t shun the impossible. Slay the dragons.

My twenty-sixth is for those who feel nothing. Numbness. I wish you warmth, so you’d feel your toes again. And your heart. And your soul. I wish you a warm hearth in your core.

My twenty-seventh wish is for anyone out there who feels not good enough, not intelligent enough, not pretty enough, not… And for this one, let me steal/borrow Hannah Brencher’s wish: “I wish you feelings of beauty, independence and love that will give you the power to embrace yourself as ‘enough’. Because whether you know it or not, you are enough.”

My twenty-eighth wish is for those who have loved someone who doesn’t love them back. I wish that you would gain the courage to smile and walk away, not to punish but to set both of you free.

My twenty-ninth wish is for him. Out there. Wherever he is. Whoever he is. I wish that if he got distracted, that someone would remind him to make his way here. Lord, whoever he is, give him the courage and the sense of humor (yes, that) to love me. Whoever he is, though, I wish that he knows I am looking forward to meeting him and to sharing adventures with him.

My thirtieth wish is for those who feel like they have been stuck in a never-ending storm and that things are too bleak and too dark and too difficult to not let go. I wish that you will find hope and that hope will help you hold on.

My thirty-first wish is for me. I wish for a year that is boldly joyous. I wish to have fun and jump in puddles and run through the rain and to sit on the floor of an escape room, laughing so hard my sides hurt. I wish to be inspired and I wish to inspire. And most of all, this control freak wishes for life to send her happy surprises.

Love always,

T.