Life Lately: Roses and Thorns
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When I was in middle school, I had a theatre teacher. I can vividly remember that one of our class icebreakers was to go around the room, individually talking about the rose and thorn of our day. We’d say something like, “A rose for me is I finished all of my homework, but a thorn is I have detention.” This simple icebreaker taught me something powerful as I reflect: the roses and thorns of our lives can coincide. Everyone wants a beautiful rose bed, until they realize that tending and keeping it will mean they get pricked by a thorn sometimes.
Let's Catch Up on Life Lately
Well, it’s been about six months since my last Takae Talks Blog post. So much has happened in life lately. As I write this in mid-to-late August, I’m contemplative about how quickly time has passed and how much has changed since February 2026. One undeniable truth stands out: I’ve changed. My life has grown, shifted, and transformed in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.
Between the end of February and early March, I had the opportunity to study abroad in France, which was truly a dream come true. I visited Marseille, Nice, stopped by Monaco, and of course Paris. I lived out my Parisian Dream, and I can’t begin to tell you just how many croissants I had whilst being there. It was my very first time out of the country, and it was so special!
Just before and shortly after my trip to France, I experienced extreme burnout and fatigue. This made it difficult for me to get back into the rhythm of Takae Talks. Life felt overwhelming, and, to be fair, it was. Still, I’m learning that feeling overwhelmed isn’t a reason to avoid what I know God has called me to do. I was also finishing my second semester as an MBA student, juggling five classes, including my study abroad course, all while working full-time. Pursuing my MBA while working has always been my dream, but it’s far from easy.
This year, I’ve made my relationships a priority. Family and friends have been a major focus for me, as I’ve noticed that they all require intentionality. This has looked like a lot of showing up, even when it inconveniences me, or perhaps I don’t feel like it. Graduations, ministerial ordination, birthdays, events, and so much more. I’ve gone out of my way to try my absolute best to show up for those around me to the best of my ability, celebrating them and operating from a posture of generosity. I can’t forget to mention that I became an auntie this year, which has been one of life’s great joys. It’s a new title, and ultimately a responsibility that I treasure.
April was still a lot of navigating life with school and work, but also included leadership responsibilities. My church’s women’s conference took place in April, and I helped pioneer an event alongside my co-leader for our teenage girls. It’s an event I love because I have a passion for women and girls, but these sorts of things always require sacrifice, intentionality, and time. Feeling stretched and burnt out wasn’t the easiest thing to manage whilst being pulled on for us to bring this youth event to life.
May was full. Graduations, continued leadership responsibilities, and simply trying my best to finish the semester strong. I must say that May gave me graduation fever. It’s crazy to know that I’m already halfway through my degree. Time waits for none…
June was a dream, specifically my 25th birthday. I cannot believe that I’m twenty-five now, and yet I’ve felt this age for a long time. I planned a dinner party with my family and friends, and it was amazing to have so many people I love in the same room. I started off this new year full – laughter, joy, affirmed, and expectant. Also dyed my hair, which has been my goal for years… literally. While also facing the dichotomy of spiritual dryness. I was struggling to navigate where my passion within my devotion had gone. Why was reading my Bible no longer exciting? All I could do was lean on what I know and trust that God will help me through every drought, because it’s only a season.
The Turning Point
Then comes July. This is probably one of the most interesting months, given that my leadership team was responsible for our youth and young adults camp this year. This is also the biggest event for our ministry, and pulling it together was anything but easy. Our leadership went through a major transition with new co-leads joining us, as well as others shifting roles or being reassigned somewhere else. Transitions are hard and revealing. The first major task for our new team was planning the youth and young adults camp, and all things considered, it went really well. I honestly can’t wait for next year. July was also the month I used to maximize my summer. I rested, went out with friends, tried new things, and lived spontaneously. I also felt incredibly challenged to grow within my emotional intelligence and relationships. As the word of the year is for my church, July was a turning point for me in maturity.
At the end of July, something shifted for me. Specifically spiritually. Imagine feeling arrested by spiritual dryness, and then…it lifts. That’s what I experienced. I remember a few times during the month of July crying at the altar, and I believe God saw my tears and honored them. There are so many other occurrences I can mention that brought tears to my eyes, or pain in my heart, but I’d been greatly grieved by my lack of fervor. Something broke at the end of July, during my church’s three days of prayer and fasting, and ever since then, I haven’t been the same.
August, although not over, has been a full month as well. It’s flying by, and I’m facing the reality that summer is coming to an end as the school year begins in less than two weeks. Holding on to the last moments of the summer, I've been trying to adult...like staying on top of the mundane (think laundry, cooking, cleaning, budgeting, etc.) This month, I’ve decided to step away from social media. I love social media; there’s truly nothing like a good scroll on Instagram or TikTok, but the voices became so overwhelming, and I’m longing for something more – something only God can give me.
On my commute this morning, I came across a scripture that deeply resonates with me: “You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” – Psalms 63:5
God is the source of my satisfaction! I can attest that in the month of August, God has been the source of my satisfaction. I’ve been confronting some hard truths and interesting realities, as I come to terms with one important question: Morgan, what do you want in life?
This is a question that requires me to understand where I am, where I’m going, and what God’s will for me is. It’s interesting, and sometimes paralyzing because the reality of my future is I’m not privy to it. I’m trusting that, as God says in His Word, it’s good. But I can’t exactly track where I’ll be. Another reason that I sort of stepped away from Takae Talks Blog is that I never want my platform to serve as a display for my problems. Although I’m challenged, because how can others receive my vulnerability if I refuse to share it? It’s hard navigating God’s calling on my life being one that inconveniences me. The more I grow, the more private I desire to be. And yet my calling exposes me, not for shame, but for triumph!
Why Roses and Thorns
I reflect on the Biblical scribes, like Paul and David, who wrote with eloquence and striking vulnerability, and I’m challenged to come higher. Because where would we be, as people, and as Christians, without a passage like Psalm 51? Or a scripture like 2 Corinthians 12:9? Like my generation so easily does, I’ve displayed the beauty of my roses, while despising the pricks of my thorns. But every rose has a thorn – for its protection, support and survival. It’s humbling to admit that maybe, just maybe, the thorns God has permitted in my life are designed to do the same…
2026, thus far, has been full and highly introspective. So I’ve come back to share, and not just this one time. Rather, I’ve come to invite you into the journey of my learnings and becoming – as a Christian, as a Woman, as a Leader, and as a Young Adult.
Scriptures I’m Holding Onto, that You Can Too
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:11 AMP
“Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting — for he will never disappoint you!” – Psalms 27:14 TPT
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.” – Romans 15:13 AMP
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” – Isaiah 26:3 NLT
“Revive us again, O God! I know you will! Give us a fresh start! Then all your people will taste your joy and gladness.” – Psalms 85:6 TPT
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