A Year to Abide
2023 started with some big milestones. After graduating from college and celebrating the end of a special era, I moved home. The latter half of 2023 was a process of settling in at home with my parents. As you’ll read, I didn’t know what life post-grad was going to look like. I’d soon learn how to navigate the unsettling fear of having no direction while maintaining peace that God had me at home for a specific reason—a reason I wouldn’t come to realize in 2024.
I’m not sure how common this experience is. I’d imagine the transition from living at a university for four years to experiencing life post-grad is difficult for most people. Not everyone moves home with their parents afterwards, but that was part of my story. And honestly, in this California economy, I’d assume it’s becoming more and more common.
Maybe it was a bit harder for me because I thrive in a purpose-driven routine. Transitioning from college life to living at home took away the routines I had built for the past four years. I wasn’t working towards an end goal or dream. I was just living.
College had its hard parts—don’t get me wrong—but it also reminded me of a sort of utopian, magical, unique world. Most college kids gain the perks of being an adult without the responsibilities. Independence without complete financial independence. Decision freedom without weighty sacrifices for those decisions.
At the end of 2023, I made the realization that I’d have to provide for myself. While I lived at home and paid off my student loans, I’d be marching towards a life of complete independence. And well, that became kinda scary.
I didn’t want to admit it, but my future was starting to invoke more fear than excitement. So when New Year’s came around once more, I focused on the theme from the past 2 years. I’d get through this season just like all the ones before. And the way I’d do so was with God.
With more hope than I had the two years prior, I wrote this letter to my future self.
So it's the 13th of January. The funny thing is that this year I did actually feel ready to write out my hopes, dreams, and goals for 2024 on December 31st. But my “2023 in retrospect” ended up being pretty detailed and took me longer than expected. So, I was quite simply too tired when the clock struck midnight to continue typing away on this keyboard. And well, the next time I thought about it was today, January 13th. So here we go. What I hope for in 2024.
Dear Kylie,
As you recalled, 2023 was a year of immense healing and growth. You’ve changed so much in the past few years. And well, you’re in a really good place. A really good place indeed. You are content in your singleness, satisfied with this little life you’re living. You are trusting God a little more every day to supply your every need and delicately take care of every wish.
So, my hope for you, 2024 Kylie, is that you would abide. Abide in God, in all that He is doing in your life. Keep living intimately with Him. Keep talking to Him every moment you can, keep reading His Word like it’s the best story you’ve ever read. Keep trusting Him with every dream and wish you hold so dear to your heart. He cares about them. He wants what’s good for you just as much as you do.
I know the future is uncertain. I know you still have wishes and dreams. I know it can be hard to look out and see a haze—opportunities, ideas, concepts, but no directions. I think your 20s will probably remain this way for a while. But you know what? I think that’s a beautiful thing. It will foster dependence. Every time that sparkly dream flashes across your memory, you’ll bring it to God. You’ll lay it at His feet. And you’ll say, it’s yours, King Jesus, I surrender and trust you completely. And every time you feel a little uneasy about the next leap of faith, you’ll remember His hand is in yours. He won’t let you fall.
What a blessing this stage of life is. What a gift! Let that reminder sit with you daily as you ponder what a treasure your freedom is. Live freely, act spontaneously, say yes, do things that seem a little crazy. Because you never know when that freedom will disappear. You never know when the responsibilities of life will settle in. I hope 2024 Kylie is wild and free.
I hope Jesus remains the absolute love of your life, your perfect father, perfect friend, perfect groom. I hope your character continues to be refined, so you are more and more like Jesus every day. I hope your confidence continues to build so that in every space you enter—a job interview, an audition, work, a social event, or coffee with a friend, you are so peacefully sure of yourself. That you’d continue to let your hair down and your crazies run wild. That you’d talk a little more every chance you get, never in hopes of changing yourself, but always in an effort to open yourself up to divine appointments. That you’d dance a little more in front of family and friends because you are safe to be seen—safe to shine. That you’d act because why not, and not because you should.
2024 feels like it's going to be a good year. For maybe the first time in my life, I have no idea what to expect. Nothing on the calendar a month from now. And you know what’s crazy? It feels alright. You got this, Kylie. Let yourself shine. Bright. And all the while, abide.
Love,
2023 Me
Maybe you’re about to graduate. Maybe you remember the transition into post-grad because it wasn’t that long ago. I’m 2.5 years in, and I’m still figuring it out.
I remember feeling excited about my goal to abide in Christ in 2024. Technically, the same goal of pursuing my faith had rolled over into the New Year. My relationship with God had become my lifeline.
If you feel a lack of vision for your future, I’d encourage you to tell God about it. Focus on spending time with Him. Everything else will fall into place. It might take some time, but be patient with yourself.
We’ve got one more year to catch up on… check out the next post soon for my 2025 goals. And remember, you are loved by God, wonderfully made, and beautifully you. Don’t let someone else’s voice speak louder than what’s true.
Until next time…
hugs,
Kylie
