The irony of being between darkness and a hard place is that there is no easier choice. The hard place is just as dark. And the darkness is just as hard.

So how do you choose? How do you pick one unfortunate outcome over another? How do you ready your heart for the struggle ahead, clench your jaw and wait for the blows? How do you hope for a soft landing when there is no safety net in sight? How do you choose between darkness and a hard place when both feel the same in their own way?

I think the key is choosing the option that returns more of yourself to you. Yes, you are going to war regardless. But which one brings a few more pieces of you back so rebuilding remains possible? So healing is still within reach?

I will not tell you what to choose. But I will tell you what not to choose.

Do not choose the one where suffering becomes an endless loop. Where, because there is no clear beginning, there is no end either. Do not choose the one that feels like a vacuum. A black hole with no hope of return. Do not choose the one where you lose yourself completely because you could not fight for you. Do not choose the one that makes you run from yourself. From the truth, no matter how bitter. How scary. How daunting.

Some choices take you away from yourself. Some do not.

There are days when life feels too heavy to bear. When we can barely stand and our responsibilities feel like quicksand. These are the moments when we need people the most, when their presence and their support can make all the difference in the world.

So here’s to the people who hold our hands, who walk alongside us when the road is tough. Who offer us a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. They are the ones who remind us that, even in our brokenness, we are beautiful.

Here’s to showing up, even when we are not feeling our best, even when the journey ahead seems too daunting to complete. Here’s to finding the courage to take the next step, to keep moving forward, even when our knees are shaky and our hearts are heavy.

Here’s to the gift of love, family, and community. The power of connection and the warmth of human touch. They are the threads that weave the tapestry of our lives, the light that shines in the darkness, the hope that fuels our dreams.

Here’s to people. The ones who make our journey more bearable, more magical, and more meaningful. They are the ones who make life worth living, who remind us we are not alone in this world. They are a blessing, an anchor, always giving.

Wouldn’t life be better if we just learned to rest?

I remember how whenever I got disappointing news, it would rock me so hard. I would hold on to the hurt and make that my identity. But these days, I take such news pretty well, possibly because I’ve come to realize that I’m not alone, and the people in my life will always be cheering me on no matter what.

Learning to lean on others can be terrifying, especially when you have only known isolation and built self-dependence as a coping mechanism. Yes, wearing your heart on your sleeves and trusting others can be scary but, it has the power to free you. To know that you do not have to walk through life alone gives strength to your bones. Mountains do not seem as daunting, and the valleys are not as deep.

If you feel alone on this journey, I hope you are surrounded by beautiful hearts who will love you completely, hold you up, and speak words of life over you when you are weak.

And if you are already surrounded by such treasures, I pray you are brave enough to lean on them. I pray you see that you are worthy of love that accepts you and walks the path of healing with you, never letting go of your hand.

With all my heart,

Favour Emma

On Life:

Forgiveness is a necessary journey for every human being and vulnerability is the very ointment that balms our wounds.

Be good to people. It doesn’t matter if they deserve it or not. Everyone needs a bit of goodness in their life. 

You are not meant to walk through life alone. It’s okay to lean on others when you can’t hold yourself up.

The journey to our destiny may not be an easy path, but it has been carefully crafted to  sturdy our feet and strengthen our wings so that when we finally leave the nest, we soar. Never be afraid of change, it exists to build you. 

On Work:

If you procrastinate, you’re basically telling yourself that your time has no value and so nobody should hire you for anything.

There’s a thin line between being respectful and being a door mat. Make sure no one crosses that line. Or worse, you cross it yourself.

On Love:

Love is good and every good thing happens in its time.

Be with someone who understands the purity that is marriage, the blessing that is love and the honour that is friendship.

On God:

Make peace with the fact that God also says No. And just because the answer isn’t what you want to hear does not mean that it isn’t for your good. 

God is an artist and all His works are intricately designed to be masterpieces.

Nothing can separate you from the love of God. Absolutely nothing.

And soon a new one begins…

I pray that Abba’s light pierces through your darkest days. I pray that you see His love as home; an ointment for your wounds. I pray that even when streets filled with lights and fireworks that dance in the night sky seem distant, you are reminded that Abba’s arms are a safe space, that His voice calls to you tenderly, that His love washes over you, time and time again.

I pray that as He sings your name, your heart listens. I pray these melodies of peace flow through you like the river of life and you find joy in Abba’s undying love for you. And I pray that you see yourself for what you really are: Abba’s display of perfection upon the earth.

So even in this moment, when loneliness tries to tug at the corners of your heart, remember, that you are not alone. Never have been, never will be.

Merry Christmas, beloved. Abba loves you.