One of the things I love about social media is how I get to connect and have conversation with people I might not otherwise get to meet. I was so delighted when Brenna Blain messaged me on Instagram! I love to use my blog to share other people’s words and Brenna shares my passion for honest conversation and talking openly about everything so I think you’ll love what she has to say as much as I do.
If you want to connect with Brenna too, you can find her Instagram @bunonmyhead and listen to her podcast – Can I Say That? – here
And if you’d like to write an honest conversation do get in touch – I’d love to hear from you!
Tell me about you!
I am a 24 year old mom and wife as well as a christian speaker and podcast producer. I’ve spent the majority of my life living in the pacific northwest (USA) and absolutely love it here. I grew up doing musical theater and competitive improv comedy where my team placed nationally four of the five years we competed. After high school I did Youth With A Mission and spent time in Hawaii and China. I love sleeping, drinking coffee and watching my toddler get into trouble.
I’ve previously been a worship intern as well as a youth pastor, nanny, barista, camp counselor and personal assistant for my grandpa (which mostly included watching Fox News 😬). I have my degree in Theology and Biblical Studies after swearing to never go to college or pursue ministry, I love God’s sense of humor!
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself during the pandemic?
Spending time with God does not come naturally to me. All this time I thought my schedule was keeping me from communing often and intentionally with God but as soon as I had all the time in the world it became even harder. I have greatly appreciated the way God has pursued me during this time and taught me new ways of hearing and listing to Him. It looks so much different than it has in previous seasons but I think that is one of the deeply beautiful things about walking with God – the way He shows us new things and allows us to know Him in new ways throughout our walk.
What thing do you love most about parenthood?
That you have a small human that is just yours who is always around. I cannot believe there is a toddler who I made who has my eyes and walks around discovering new things. Getting to watch a person grow every single day is complete magic. A year ago? He couldn’t walk, he couldn’t talk, sometimes he smiled. Today? He thinks stuffing smelly socks in my face is the funniest thing in the world. He thinks cows are giant dogs. When he eats a cookie it has instantly became the best day ever. Is this how God feels about us??
What thing do you find hardest about parenthood?
Being patient. It is hard to remember these little humans lack the ability to clearly communicate. So as much as I am frustrated with him he probably feels the same way and has no real way of saying that. I think it is easy to forget that, or forget to ask for help when you need a break. So often times I just continue on with my anger or frustration and then feel terrible after I’ve yelled or put him to sleep early or refused to read a book for the 89th time. I think remembering to apologize can be just as hard as well because it feels unnatural to apologize to someone who has very little language use, but its so important to do that as a parent as well.
What does faith mean to you?
Believing in a God that I cannot fully comprehend because of my finiteness.
What are you most passionate about?
Telling people about the living God and talking about anything and everything that intersects with faith.
What personal passion project are you working on right now?
I am writing a book about what life has been like so far as a mentally ill human pursuing God living in a messed up world. It is exhausting and insanely beautiful to recall the last 15 plus years of my life and see how God has moved through that time.
What’s your biggest fear?
Drowning or never being know. I am an enneagram four so….
What brings you the most joy?
When my son randomly decides to hug me. Or any platonic physical touch. One time a restaurant owner squeezed my shoulders after asking how we were doing and I cried in the car because I thought it was so nice.
What is one of the most useful things you’ve learned in adulthood that you wish you knew before?
YOUR MOM IS PROBABLY RIGHT!
What makes you feel the most nervous?
Big groups of people without structured activity. I can speak to an audience of hundreds of people but the minute I am at a party mingling I want to chop my arms off.
For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
The redemption I have witnessed in both my own and my families life. How Christ has restored so many things and continues to do so.
What is the greatest accomplishment of your life so far?
Birthing a kid or finishing college or never having debt. But probably making a human being. I am the most amazing kind of 3D printer.
What is your hardest memory?
When I was nine turning ten it was a horrible season in life. My grandma had just died at a young age from cancer and my parents had gotten separated. I was playing basketball another year because I loved doing something that wasn’t theater (which all my siblings and friends did) and I was tall so I often got to stay on the court for the majority of all the games. I ended up getting molested by a stranger at the start of the season. So I lost my grandma, what felt like my parents, my trust in men, my love for sports and my childhood.
When did you last cry?
Probably within the last week or so. America is in a rough place, you can pray for us.
What one thing do you wish there was more conversation about?
Their questions, whatever they may be. We are always so focused on trying to sound right or only share opinions while so many of us have so many questions about God and faith and culture and how they engage with one another. I feel like we have an inability to say “ I don’t actually know the answer to that” or “I need help further understanding this, let me do some research”. I think the world and christians especially would learn to be far more loving if we listened and asked more than we talk and offer opinions.
Connect with Brenna
Do head over to Instagram - @bunonmyhead - and follow Brenna and have a listen to her podcast here
And as I said if you’d like to write a conversation, or another blog post, then do get in touch – I’d love to hear from you!
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