Today is my 30th birthday. I don't feel any different than I did at 29 yet it seems much more significant. Remember when we talked about the future and what we would be doing one day back in high school? That day is here. To be honest, I don't think I ever really looked past 30. Now that its here, I feel a little lost. What next?
I have been overwhelmingly blessed in my short 30 years. I was raised by a loving and supportive family, able to successfully participate in sports, achieve all my academic goals and stay busy trying to help others. That was pretty much as far as I thought ahead! Praise the Lord He doesn't go by what we plan for ourselves. In addition to the goals I had, I have married a beyond amazing man, been blessed with 2 healthy and beautiful daughters, and traveled to distant lands. Not bad for 30! Many days the money is tight, the kids are loud and I am overextended but I find myself lost and uncomfortable when things are coming easy, its quiet and there's nothing else I need to do. (Ok maybe that has happened like twice but it was still weird!)
I think the things I've learned the most are the importance of honest, patient and forgiving relationships with family and friends. Relationships are so important that God sent His own son to die just so we could all have the opportunity for the life giving relationship with Jesus. There have been days where others have let me down and days where I have let others down but it is always hope that gets me through. I find my hope through the words of God in the Bible and those have gotten me through everything from as deep as my father's death to as daily as motherhood stress. I find encouragement in watching my marriage and children grow. I treasure relationships with friends along the way who have supported and mentored me.
As daunting as it is to say "I don't know" about what comes next, its secretly exciting! Trusting God up to this point has served me very well and I know that He will continue to provide for and guide me in the future. I've learned enough now to say "Yes!" to whatever He presents for me and not try to force my own path. (I'm still working on the remaining joyful part while He changes my world though, some days you just want to be in control!) Maybe by the time I'm 60 I'll be able to describe myself as joyfully obedient. :)
So I want to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who have joined me on this journey of 30 years at some point. I hope many of you will stick around to contribute to my next 30 as well. An extra thanks goes out to my Mom because honestly I think birthdays should be more about the Mom than the kids anyway (they do all the work and treasure the memories the most!).
Thanks for reading, Tricia
