My Midyear Reflection: What God Has Taught Me So Far

Half the year has already passed.

Sometimes that thought feels exciting. Other times, it reminds me of the goals I haven't reached, the prayers that are still waiting for answers, and the seasons that have stretched me in ways I never expected.

But when I paused to reflect instead of rushing into the second half of the year, I realized something beautiful:

God has been working all along.

Not only in the victories—but especially in the quiet moments, the waiting, the healing, and the ordinary days.

God Doesn't Waste Our Broken Seasons

If you've followed my journey, you know life hasn't always been easy.

I've experienced emotional battles, moments of questioning, difficult relationships, and seasons where I wondered if I would ever truly feel whole again.

There were days when I felt overwhelmed by my emotions and uncertain about my future.

Yet looking back, I can honestly say that God never left me.

Even when I couldn't feel His presence, He was gently carrying me.

Sometimes His greatest work wasn't changing my circumstances—it was changing my heart.

Healing Is Not a Straight Line

One lesson God continues to teach me is that healing rarely happens overnight.

There are good days.

There are difficult days.

There are moments when I feel strong, and moments when old wounds try to resurface.

But healing with Christ isn't about becoming perfect.

It's about learning to return to Him again and again.

Every prayer, every Bible verse, every act of surrender becomes another stitch in the beautiful work He is creating within us.

God Can Use Our Creativity for His Glory

This year, I've found so much joy in creating.

Whether I'm crocheting by hand, writing blog posts, building websites for clients, sharing beauty and self-care, or encouraging fellow moms and content creators, I've realized something:

Creativity is a gift from God.

It isn't "just a hobby."

It can become ministry.

It can encourage someone.

It can provide for a family.

It can remind people that beauty still exists in a broken world.

Every handmade piece and every article I publish reminds me that God delights in creating—and He invites us to create alongside Him.

Motherhood Is Refining Me

Being a mom has taught me patience I didn't know I needed.

It has shown me how deeply God loves His children.

Some days are exhausting.

Some days are messy.

Some days I wonder if I'm doing enough.

Yet every hug, every bedtime prayer, every shared laugh reminds me that motherhood isn't about perfection.

It's about faithfulness.

God entrusted these little lives to me, and I pray every day that they see Christ through the way I love them.

Waiting Doesn't Mean God Has Forgotten You

One of the hardest lessons this year has been learning to wait.

Waiting for doors to open.

Waiting for dreams to unfold.

Waiting for financial breakthroughs.

Waiting for clarity.

Waiting for peace.

Our culture celebrates instant results.

God often develops patient hearts.

I've learned that waiting is not wasted time.

It's preparation.

Sometimes God delays the blessing because He's still preparing us to receive it.

Peace Is Worth Protecting

As I've grown older, I've realized I don't need to attend every argument, prove every point, or carry burdens that God never asked me to carry.

Peace has become one of the greatest treasures in my life.

I've become more intentional about protecting my heart, choosing healthy boundaries, and surrounding myself with things that bring me closer to Christ.

Not everything deserves my energy.

Not every opinion deserves my response.

Sometimes the holiest thing we can do is simply walk away and trust God.

God Provides in Unexpected Ways

Looking back over these months, I can see God's fingerprints everywhere.

Through unexpected opportunities.

Through kind people.

Through answered prayers.

Through closed doors that eventually protected me.

Through quiet mornings with coffee, prayer, and His Word.

His provision isn't always flashy.

Sometimes it's simply having enough strength for today.

And that is more than enough.

Looking Ahead

As the second half of the year begins, I don't want to chase success more than I chase Jesus.

I still have dreams.

I still have goals.

I still want to grow my businesses, continue creating content, support my family, and inspire women to live intentionally.

But above all, I want to remain faithful.

If this year has taught me anything, it's this:

God isn't asking me to have everything figured out.

He's simply asking me to trust Him with the next step.

And that's exactly what I plan to do.

A Prayer for the Rest of the Year

Lord,

Thank You for carrying me through every season this year.

Thank You for Your grace when I failed, Your comfort when I cried, and Your faithfulness when I couldn't see what You were doing.

Help me continue walking closely with You.

Teach me to trust You more than my fears.

Give me wisdom as a mother, strength as a woman, creativity in my work, and peace in my heart.

May everything I create point others back to You.

No matter what the rest of this year holds, remind me that You are already there.

Amen.

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." — Deuteronomy 31:8

Why Protecting Your Peace and Leaving When Needed Is an Act of Strength

For so long, we’ve been told that choosing others first is what makes us “good.” That selflessness is the highest virtue. That loyalty means staying, even when it hurts. And while love, compassion, and patience are beautiful traits — they should never come at the cost of your peace, your energy, or your soul.

There comes a time when the most radical, most healing, and most honest thing you can do is this

Choose yourself. Always.

When You Choose You, You Break Cycles

Many of us were raised in homes where putting others first was modeled as love — even if it meant abandoning our own needs. As women, especially as moms or caregivers, we are praised when we sacrifice and criticized when we set boundaries. But here's the truth: martyrdom is not the goal. Wholeness is.

Choosing yourself may feel like rebellion at first, but really, it’s a form of restoration.

You are not here to constantly pour from an empty cup.
You are not responsible for saving everyone at the cost of drowning yourself.

When you choose yourself, you teach your children, your friends, and your younger self that self-respect is not optional. It’s sacred.

Walking Away Is Sometimes the Most Loving Thing You Can Do

Leaving doesn’t always mean failure.
Sometimes it means growth.

There are relationships, environments, and commitments that once served us — but no longer do. And staying out of guilt, fear, or obligation only keeps you stuck in a version of yourself you’ve outgrown.

You are allowed to walk away from

• One-sided friendships

• Emotionally manipulative relationships

• Workplaces that don’t value your worth

• Conversations that drain your spirit

• Roles that no longer align with your truth

You don’t need their permission. You only need your own clarity.

Choosing Yourself Isn’t Being Cold — It’s Being Clear

Choosing yourself means becoming deeply honest about what your mind, body, and spirit need — and honoring that without shame. It’s about checking in with yourself more than you check in with others. It's about realizing that

• Peace is more important than people-pleasing.

• Rest is more valuable than proving your worth.

• Silence is sometimes louder than arguments.

You’re not being difficult — you’re just done with things that don’t nourish your growth.

Exit with Grace, Not Guilt

You don’t need a dramatic exit or a perfect explanation. Sometimes, you simply fade out of spaces that can no longer hold the fullness of your becoming. And that’s okay.

Leaving is not always about closing the door with anger — sometimes, it’s about choosing peace over chaos, clarity over confusion, and truth over tolerance.

Yes, some people won’t understand your decision.
Yes, some may call you selfish.
But let them. You’re not living for their approval — you’re living for your alignment.

What Choosing Yourself Looks Like

• Saying no without apologizing

• Protecting your time, energy, and emotions

• Spending time alone without feeling guilty

• Creating space for joy, silence, hobbies, and healing

• Releasing the need to explain your worth to anyone

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Choosing yourself is not a one-time event. It’s a lifestyle. It’s waking up each day and deciding, “I matter. My needs matter. My dreams matter.”

You Are Allowed To Outgrow Who You Used to Be

Don’t shrink just because someone is uncomfortable with your evolution. You are not meant to stay where you were just to make others feel safe. You are meant to grow, to rise, to stretch.

Choosing yourself means grieving some connections. It means letting go. It means trusting that the version of you who walks away is braver, softer, and stronger than the one who stayed too long.

Choosing You Is a Lifelong Act of Love

Every time you choose yourself, you are rewriting your story. You are honoring the little girl inside who just wanted to be seen, heard, and held. You are creating a life rooted in peace, not pressure.

So today, and every day after this — choose yourself. Not once. But always.

You deserve to be the love you keep trying to give away.

with fellow bloggers as we dine in at Fely J's in Greenbelt Ayala Malls

my new blog besties Johanna Marie and Jelly

• “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go." — Dr. Seuss

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