We started the year with a celebration. And yet, for many of us, it may not feel like there is much to celebrate, especially in these challenging times.

The past year held both beauty and heartbreak. Blessings and curses.  Families were torn apart. There was loss, illness, natural disasters, difficult workplaces, and disruptions of the deepest kind.

Life has been “lifing”.

Still, the Word promises that if we stand firm, we will endure—and we have.

So despite the rerouting, detours, and setbacks, we continue to run our race, trusting that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Celebration, then, is not denial.

It is obedience.

It is faith.

It is gratitude in motion.

As scripture says, “rejoice always!”

This is why this season is an update of a section in the book titled: It Is Time to Celebrate.

As believers, we are reminded that the battle was never meant for us to carry alone. Jesus invites us to bring our weariness and our burdens to Him, promising rest in exchange (Matthew 11:28–30).

He also says to trust him and lean not to our understanding.

For a long time, I wrestled with that truth. “God, do You see what we’re going through?” It didn’t make sense many times.

He does. And He is present in the middle of it all.

The question is not whether hardship exists, but whether we will remain focused on the problem or recognize the opportunity to grow. God-given dreams stretch us. They shape us. They mature us. Perhaps that’s why the world often discourages us from pursuing them. That view is rooted in fear.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

Celebration reminds us that even in difficulty, God is still at work.

We often think celebration comes after the dream is fulfilled. Interestingly, when a dream comes to pass, others often gather to celebrate us. Scripture shows us that God Himself celebrates His people—through provision, through community, through festivals.

But what if celebration is not the reward, but part of the process?

Our minds are wired to keep moving, keep producing, keep striving. We rarely pause to mark progress. Yet God invites us to celebrate both small wins and big ones because celebration strengthens us for the journey ahead.

Be still and know.

To celebrate is to say, “God, I see You through it all.”

Celebration is a sacred act of honor—honoring God, honoring others, and yes, honoring ourselves. Any dream that honors God, respects humanity, and affirms dignity is a dream from Him.

Sometimes honoring ourselves feels uncomfortable. That discomfort could be pride, and it’s often an invitation to grow. God uses people, moments, and milestones to bless us. If that feels strange, it may be stretching old beliefs that no longer serve us. Let it go.

Celebration realigns our hearts with gratitude.

This season, we are celebrating Joan, our children’s grandaunt, who turned 60. Joan has been a steady support in our lives—helping care for the children, even while I was pursuing my PhD in Canada. When our son needed to come to the U.S. ahead of me so I could finish my degree, Joan was there.

Later, while I was writing my book, our son spent an entire month with her in Florida. What’s remarkable is that this time away was planned months in advance, long before I knew I was preparing to write. Nothing “just happens.”

Joan is kind; giving freely of her gifts. She once owned a catering business that slowed just in time for her to step in and help care for the children, demonstrating flexibility. Joan serves both seniors and children, coaches others toward forgiveness, and lives out compassion rather than merely saying it.

She loves deeply, supports wholeheartedly, and grows — ready for the next step, the next leap.

Joan does not fit neatly into worldly systems. She is unique and walks in freedom, often wearing tailored pantsuits with suspenders and a bow tie. Yet she is one of the warmest people you will ever meet. She sees you, not your mistakes.

At her celebration, she entered carrying red, white, and yellow roses carefully chosen for each guest, showing firstclass excellence.

As children, many of us sang the song, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world… red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight.”

In many ways, roses remind me of children. Each one is different, each one beautiful, and all are precious in God’s sight. I often dream of being in a garden filled with roses of every color imaginable, gently covered in morning dew. Those dreams always bring to mind a hymn my grandaunt used to sing: “I come to the garden alone.” There is something sacred about gardens; they speak of intimacy, care, and God’s quiet presence.

Throughout Scripture and Christian symbolism, colors (of roses) have carried deep meaning.

Red roses are often associated with love and sacrifice (Song of Solomon 2:1).

White roses symbolize purity, reverence, and new beginnings (Isaiah 1:18).

Yellow roses, though more modern in symbolism, are commonly associated with joy, friendship, and warmth.

By handing each guest a rose, Joan offered more than a flower. She offered a symbol, a reminder that celebration is personal, intentional, and rooted in love. Her life reflects these same meanings: love in action, purity of heart, and joyful generosity.

​

Age is just a number. Growth has no expiration date.

As Joan steps into her 60th year, we celebrate not just her age, but her becoming. We celebrate a woman who continues to grow, to give, to love, and to leap. And she still has dreams she wants to fulfill.

May God continue to bless and keep her.

And may we all remember—especially in uncertain times—that celebration is not a distraction from life’s challenges. It is a declaration of faith that God is still writing the story.

So, let us Celebrate!

With love,

Sanchia and team.

Audio Version

If you prefer the audio version you may listen here.