Some Things Change. True Joys Stay.

’Tis the season to bring this oldie but good one out. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, keep reading!

Every year around the holidays, I’m reminded how much life has a way of circling back on itself. We grow, we change, we shed old versions of ourselves, and yet certain moments, memories, and joys remain deeply rooted. For me, Christmas has always been one of those times when the past and present gently meet.

If you read my blogs and posts, you know I talk about change and growth a lot. I’ve gone through a process of deconstructing my faith. In doing so, I’ve begun to see people, the world, and religion through a very different lens. My love for humanity has expanded, along with my appreciation for cultures and experiences beyond my own. I’ve become more comfortable asking hard questions and less willing to accept easy answers. Some beliefs I once held tightly no longer fit, and while that has been unsettling at times, it has also been deeply freeing.

As I’ve said before, life is full of change. In many ways, change is the only constant. Growth often requires letting go, reexamining what we were taught, and allowing ourselves to evolve. And while a lot about me has shifted over the years, not everything about me has changed.

One thing that has remained steady, especially during the Christmas season, is my joy and my love for Amy Grant. If you know, you know. Her music has been part of my holiday soundtrack for as long as I can remember, and it continues to hold a special place in my heart.

From Tennessee Christmas and Breath of Heaven to I Need a Silent Night and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, her songs are woven into my memories of Christmas mornings, car rides, and quiet winter nights. Even as my understanding of faith and the world has evolved, her music still feels like home. It connects me to a version of myself that was earnest, joyful, and full of wonder. That connection still matters to me, because I am still that girl.

The video I’m sharing is middle-school me, completely losing my mind after getting Amy Grant concert tickets. For those who don’t know, it actually made it onto America’s Funniest Home Videos back in the 90s. At the time, it felt like the biggest moment in the world. And honestly, if I’m being truthful, I’d probably react the exact same way today.

Beliefs can change. Lives can change. Perspectives can shift. The way we see ourselves and the world can transform in ways we never expected. But true joy, the kind that shapes us and stays with us, has a way of enduring. It shows up again and again, reminding us who we are at our core.

As we head into this holiday season, I’m choosing to honor both the growth and the continuity in my life. I’m grateful for where I’ve been, for where I am now, and for the joy that continues to meet me along the way.

Happy Holidays, friends. May this season be filled with warmth, reflection, and the kind of joy that sticks with you for life. 🎄✨💫🧩

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