Dear Little Girl...Growth Looks Good On You

There’s something sacred about showing up — especially when it’s hard.

Yesterday, I did something brave.
I stepped onto a plane and joined a group of women — some I know, some I don’t.

The last time I was with this group, my marriage was falling apart.
I wasn’t sure how it would feel this time… if the conversations, the questions, or even the memories would be triggering.

But this time was different.
This time, I honored myself.

I stepped away when I was tired.
I went to bed without fearing I’d miss out.
I took a long walk — and when my heart said, “That’s far enough,” I turned around without guilt.
I stayed for dinner, lingered for an hour, and then said, “Good night, ladies. I’ve been up for 18 hours — I need to take care of me.”

And guess what?
No judgment.
No guilt.
No world-ending panic.
They still liked me. Who knew?

That’s growth.

Not because I was perfect.
Not because I did everything “right.”
But because I honored my healing.

I said yes to connection without compromising my peace.
I said no when I needed to — and left when my soul said, “It’s time.”

And it hit me:

Growth doesn’t always look like big wins and viral breakthroughs.
Sometimes, growth looks like leaving the party early.
Sometimes, it’s knowing you don’t have to prove you’ve changed — just quietly living it.
Sometimes, it’s saying: I choose joy. I choose peace. I choose me.

For a long time, I feared I’d fall back into old patterns — that being around old influences would bring back the old version of me. The one I’m still learning to forgive.

But here’s the truth:
That girl helped me get here.
She walked through the fog so I could find the light.
She made choices I wouldn’t make now — but she survived.
She fought.
And she deserves compassion, not shame.

If you’ve been carrying guilt for who you were in a past season, I invite you to lay it down.
Growth means you’re no longer her.
Grace means you can love her anyway.

I’m learning to be content in the slow unfolding —
to trust that my life, my calling, my business, and my relationships will bloom in Your timing, God, not mine.

And in that surrender, I’m finding peace.
I’m finding me.

Dear Little Girl,
You’re not who you used to be. And that’s worth celebrating.

You are healing.
You are growing.
You are learning how to choose joy over shame,
boundaries over burnout,
peace over pressure.

And that, my dear, is holy ground.

You don’t need a million followers or a packed-out platform to prove your worth.
You’re already worthy. You always have been.

A question to journal on:
What small step today would make the future you proud?

Take that step.
Be proud of it.
And remember: growth looks really good on you.

With grace and hope,
Worthy.

A Prayer for Growing in Grace

Dear God,
Thank You for every step forward — even the small ones.
Thank You for reminding me that healing doesn’t have to be loud to be real.

I give You the girl I used to be —
the one who tried so hard to be loved,
who didn’t know how to say no,
who stayed silent when she should’ve spoken up.
I give You my past,
and I receive Your grace.

Help me continue to grow,
not out of shame, but out of love.
Out of trust.
Out of the knowing that I am Yours.

Guide me to the people and places that honor the version of me You are shaping.
Help me to walk in confidence and compassion —
even when the path feels slow.

Thank You for being patient with me.
Thank You for walking with me.
And thank You for making all things new — including me.

Amen.