This week, I was listening to “Everything Hallelujah” by Justin Bieber, and while some people consider it a shallow song, I find it to be very deep. When we think of God, we often focus on the grand moments, but He truly exists in everything—both big and small, and everything in between. You never really appreciate something as simple as “brush my teeth, hallelujah” until you face a time when you literally cannot do it, whether because you can’t afford toothpaste or you feel too depressed to take that action. Similarly, you don’t truly understand “kissing you, hallelujah” until you’ve experienced seasons of loneliness.
It made me reflect on the things I am grateful for: the things God has rescued me from, shown me, or done without me asking.
So, here is my list of “everything hallelujah.”
When I was younger, I was a tomboy. I loved to ride my bike around the neighborhood with friends. As adults, we spend the majority of our week at work inside a building. The lack of vitamin D has its effect. Recently, I’ve been spending more time outside, sitting in parks, visiting beaches, walking along the busy Beltline, and swinging on swing sets. I soak in the laughter of children and adults. Feel the breeze pass by my face. Listen to the birds chirp. Watch the water reflect the sun. Valuing and appreciating the beauty of God’s creation.
The sun is out, hallelujah!
I was laid off in 2023, and for the first time, I truly realized how fleeting money can be. You can be rich one day and broke the next. One day, you might be enjoying life, and the next, you could be stressed about bills and food. It was during this season that I came to appreciate God as my provider and realized that I am merely a steward. Everything belongs to Him. He can take, and He can give. My job is to trust in Him during seasons when He takes and to steward well what He gives. And so I am appreciative of the journey. No, it wasn’t enjoyable, but I see money as a resource that God has lent me to manage and enhance my life, rather than treating it as if it were God Himself.
God provides, hallelujah!
God is sovereign over who your family is. You didn’t choose your mom, dad, siblings, or cousins before coming to Earth. These are the only people in the world we do not get to select. Family life can often be filled with ups and downs, peace and chaos. However, one thing we can say for sure is that without them, there would be no us. As time has passed, I’ve come to realize that we are all just children trying to figure things out. My mom is just a girl, my dad is just a boy. It’s their first time living as well. There are experiences in this lifetime that they have gone through that I may never fully understand; experiences that have shaped their decisions. One thing God has always reminded me is that if I had the exact same life as someone else—same brain, same heart, same experiences—I would make the same choices they do. This perspective has helped me develop a deeper sense of empathy. I’ve learned that sometimes, instead of trying to change someone, it’s better to pray and let God handle the situation, just as He does with me.
And for the good times, cherish them. Cherish the smiles. Cherish the laughter. Cherish the presence. Cherish the fact that you have the same eyes, nose, ears, lol. Because one day we will all be gone.
My family is my family, hallelujah!
I experienced seasons of loneliness. After college, adulthood hit me hard. The work was challenging, and it was also difficult to find new adult friends. It took years, prayers, and bumps along the way. Friendships have ended, some have remained, and new ones have begun. Eventually, God led me to a community. Pure, God-fearing community of women who all have the same goal of growing in Christ. There are still disagreements, and sometimes we say things we don’t mean. However, we believe in love, honoring one another, and reconciliation because that is what Jesus commands. And honestly, I would say this is the most peaceful season of friendships I’ve been in. We laugh, we cry, we pray, we help each other, we have tough conversations, but I love them. All of them.
The beauty of friendship is that it truly works both ways. I encourage everyone to trust God’s guidance when choosing friends. Don’t let past heartbreak lead you to prejudge people. Avoid allowing subconscious preferences to limit your search for certain types of friends. Don’t let fear prevent you from having open conversations. Instead, let God’s light shining through others be your determining factor.
I have community, hallelujah!
Throughout my journey with God, He has asked me to give up certain things. Some of these convictions are understood by others, while some are not. Honestly, when you’re the only one who understands, it can be tough. You might feel like the odd one out. However, I can confidently say that everything God asks you to let go of will be restored with something better.
Unhealthy coping mechanisms are replaced with peace; toxic relationships are replaced with healthier ones; and compromising opportunities are replaced with options that align with my conscience and do not go against His commandments. God has shown me that when you trust Him, even when you don’t see the full picture, He will truly never forsake you.
God restores, hallelujah!
God’s mercies are new every morning. Each day is another opportunity to get to know Him, to repent, to grow in wisdom, and to try again. It is by His grace that these opportunities continue to exist. It is His grace that allows you to see the faces of your loved ones another day, to laugh another day, and to experience comfort another day.
I woke up, hallelujah!
Everything hallelujah!
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 2:22-23 ESV
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