Presence Over Perfection

December is already here—the final chapter of another full, stretching, beautiful year—and I’ve been reflecting on everything that 2025 has held. Some moments felt like mountain tops, others pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect, and still others reminded me just how faithful God has been in every season. There were goals I reached, things I’m still working toward, surprises, celebrations, and lessons I’ll carry with me into the new year.

This year also brought seasons of loss — for me personally and for people I love. Walking through those moments, both in my own life and alongside others, reminded me just how important presence really is. Being with the people who matter most, loving them well, and savoring the time we have has never felt more meaningful.

Over the past few weeks, one simple phrase has continued to settle in my spirit:
Presence over perfection. And I haven’t been able to let it go. For those who know me well, you know perfectionism is something I struggle with. It’s something I’ve worked hard to loosen my grip on over the years, but it’s still an area God continues to work on me. So when this phrase came to mind, it wasn’t just a cute reminder — it felt like a personal invitation. A nudge to release the pressure, slow down, and truly be present.

This year has taught me—to a deeper level—that perfection is a moving target. There will always be more to organize, another to-do list, another email, another expectation. But presence? Presence is sacred. Presence invites peace. Presence is what my kids will remember. Presence is where God meets me.

Remaining Open to God’s Timing

As I’ve been sitting with this idea of presence, I’ve also felt a reminder to stay open—to God’s timing, to pivots, and to unexpected paths. At the start of 2025, launching a blog wasn’t part of my plan. I felt the nudge, but I didn’t have a roadmap. And yet, it unfolded in its own way and time. As I look toward 2026, I want to hold space for that same openness — making plans, but keeping room for what God may grow that I never saw coming.

Leaning Into Presence This Holiday Season

This Christmas, I’m choosing to be fully present—not rushing, not striving, not trying to make everything look or feel perfect. I want to notice the way my boys’ eyes light up when we bake cookies. I want to slow down long enough to hear their laughter echo through the house. I want to embrace the meaningful simplicity of being with the people I love most.

For me, that’s what presence over perfection really looks like—letting go of the pressure to make everything flawless and simply embracing the moments as they come.

Growing up, one of my absolute favorite Christmas traditions was going to my Grandpa Betts’ house on Christmas Eve. There was something magical about it—the warmth, the laughter, the familiar smells, the way the whole family squeezed into rooms that suddenly felt too small but somehow just right. Those memories shaped my love for the holiday season, and they created a foundation I still carry with me today.

Now, as a mom, it’s been such a joy to create traditions of our own. To take the feeling of love and connection I experienced as a child and pass it on to my boys in new ways.

We’ve built a few traditions over the years that have become anchors for our family:

• Christmas Eve Dinner or Christmas Day brunch with our family—delicious food, laughter-filled, and full of love.
  
  
• Matching family Christmas pajamas (because honestly, it’s not Christmas without them at this point).
  
  
• Christmas games—our favorite is the saran wrap ball game (and if you haven’t tried it, you definitely should… just be ready for the chaos and competition!).
  
  

These traditions aren’t about creating perfect moments—they’re about creating present ones. Memories that feel real, not staged. That’s the heart behind presence over perfection for me this year.

And at the center of all these traditions, I want my boys to always remember the true meaning of Christmas — that Jesus is the reason we celebrate. All the joy, fun, and togetherness flow from the greatest gift we’ve ever been given. My hope is that through these moments we create, they not only feel our love but also come to know the love God has for them.

A Gift I Didn’t Expect This Year

This will be the first holiday season in several years where I can not only be off from work, but also truly disconnected. No lingering feeling of needing to be on-call. No mental tabs open. No pressure to be accessible. Just time to rest, breathe, and be with Antwon & the boys. That alone feels like such a gift.

And what makes it even sweeter is that Antwon will also be off the entire week between Christmas and New Year’s. That rarely happens given how busy this season normally is for him, and I am so incredibly grateful. I don’t take it lightly that we get that uninterrupted family time — time to slow down and simply be together.

And if you’re wondering what I’ll be doing during that time off… you will likely find me in a pair of Christmas-themed pajamas, fuzzy socks, laying on the couch in front of the fire, watching movies, playing cards, taking naps (because I love a good nap!), and doing whatever Antwon and the boys want to do. No schedule, no agenda — just being together.

Looking Ahead With Gratitude

As we wrap up the year, I also want to say thank you. Launching this blog has been one of the unexpected gifts of 2025, and your support — your messages, your encouragement, and simply showing up to read — has meant more than you know. I truly hope these reflections have encouraged your heart in some way.

I’m looking forward to sharing more of my heart with you in 2026 and continuing to grow together in this practice of choosing presence over perfection.

P.S. As you move through this season, I hope you choose presence over perfection in every relationship — with God, your spouse, your children, your family, and even with yourself. The moments we show up fully are the ones that matter most.