From Mustard Seed to Tree

Just like that, 2024 is coming to a close in less than a week—a year filled with immense change, growth, lessons learned, and, most importantly, joy.

I began this year as I had many others throughout high school: by choosing a word of the year—a word that would guide my intentions and focus throughout the months ahead. My word for 2024 was self.

Self is defined as “a person’s essential being that distinguishes them from others.” I wanted to spend this year reflecting deeply on my motives—behind my actions, words, and relationships—and truly understanding who I am at my core.

One of my longtime dreams was to start a blog and share my story, particularly my unique perspective on life with a disability. On January 7th, I finally took a leap of faith. I sat down, researched platforms, and by the end of the night, Beauty in the Disability was born. Little did I know that this small act of courage would ignite so much positive change in my life.

Through every challenge this year brought, you—my readers and supporters—became my constant reminder of the power of living authentically and sharing my journey. Your encouragement made me realize that my story was touching lives in ways I had never imagined.

Because of this platform, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with countless individuals walking similar paths. I’ve been able to serve as a source of light in some of their darkest and most challenging moments.

Of course, this year also brought some of the hardest days and weeks I’ve ever faced. Yet, even in the most difficult moments, the glimmer of faith never left me—even when it was as small as a mustard seed. Each morning, I woke up knowing that the Lord had carried me through the day before and would carry me through the day to come.

That small mustard seed of faith grew into something stronger as I shifted my focus from merely surviving each day to striving to make the most of it. I began to see that God was using my story, even in the midst of one of my hardest trials, to reveal His mercy and purpose.

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” —Matthew 17:20

“Then Jesus asked, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.’” —Luke 13:18-19

Looking back, I can now see His hand in prompting me to start my blog when I did. God knew this year would challenge me physically and mentally, and He wanted me to use my gift of writing to share His mercy in the middle of it all. It’s easy to see God’s hand in trials after they pass, but this year, He reminded me daily that He had not left my side.

While every moment this year holds a special place in my heart, there are a few that stand out:

• Being interviewed by The Dallas Morning News alongside other wheelchair racers on high school track teams.

• Receiving countless messages from readers who said my blog posts made them feel less alone.

• Returning to the camp where I grew up and mentoring an amazing group of kids. Watching them try new things and conquer their fears was one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever experienced.

• Witnessing others discover their love for adaptive sports and seeing the spark in their eyes when they realized they weren’t alone.

• Contributing to The World Through Our Perspective, a powerful collection of poems written by individuals who’ve experienced being treated differently due to physical disabilities or differences.

This year has been nothing short of transformative. As 2024 ends, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunities, connections, and growth this journey has brought me.

To you, my readers: Thank you for being part of this incredible year. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just recently found this space, your support has meant the world to me.

As we step into 2025, I challenge you to reflect on your own journey. What seeds of faith, courage, or hope will you plant in the coming year? Remember, even the smallest steps forward can lead to extraordinary growth.

Here’s to stepping into the new year with even more courage, purpose, and faith.