The sun is setting on my birthday, and it has been a lovely day. My husband and I started the day with “birthday yoga”, which means I try to concentrate while he laughs and tries to knock me off balance. We went to church and heard stories about missionaries across the world, ate lunch at our local Pho restaurant, watched the Seahawks game (with a not-so-lovely ending), responded to birthday messages from family and friends, opened gifts all with a theme of “warmth”, and enjoyed the aroma of carrot cake baking in the oven. Now as I sit here in my office at home, I can see clear sky making a valiant attempt to break through the layer of Seattle gray, and as the day winds down I’m making good on a promise I made to myself — that on my birthday, I would finally start this journal. I would not let myself get distracted with layout options, fonts, and colors, as I have so many times before. I would simply start.

Most people take stock of their lives and set resolutions to chart a new course for themselves on New Year’s Day. I have always considered my birthday to be my own personal “new year” (that I share with countless others who are lucky to call today their birthday). On my personal new year, I consider what I learned over the last year and share my hopes for the adventures ahead. Alongside many personal hopes for the future, embedded in my heart is a hope to learn how to lead others with love and truth. To lead like Jesus does. Over the last couple of years, God has reminded me that the only path to godly leadership is to follow Him. I have immersed myself in leadership books and studied organizational psychology, but without the wisdom that come from God these theories and practices can only go so far. I have had a lovely day, comforted by the coziness of home, but tomorrow is Monday and in the midst of enjoying my teammates I will also be called to places of discomfort — to hold myself and others accountable, to be clear and concise, to listen with an open heart, and to speak with grace instead of frustration. Today and tomorrow I continue the lifelong journey to follow His lead.