Last week I was sorting through photos for a home project I've been wanting to accomplish before baby Noble arrives. As my eyes skimmed the plethora of travel photos I've captured over the years, I was amazed by my heart response. There was so sadness. Nostalgia, yes, but no drawn out mourning of what used to be a significant part of my life.
Have you ever gone to that place within your heart that longs for what used to be? Or maybe you're on the other end of the spectrum and wondering how your past has anything of value to your future?
I want to start by sharing this:
For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is value and purpose with every place your feet have walked; both the joyful & sorrowful places. There is a time for all things...
At the end of this month, I wave a solid goodbye to my 20's and welcome in 30. I'm not nervous or mourning this transition. I'm expectant as I'm a firm believer in celebrating the process called life!
As I look back over the past decade, I remember this motto I carried deep in my heart:
This was my anthem wherever my feet settled. I was absolutely sure that my Heavenly Father had extravagant plans for me if only I believed His Word and stopped at nothing to explore His best for my life.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord.
When was the last time we stopped and actually pondered the depth of meaning this promise holds? Our Heavenly Father, the Creator, has plans to give us a future & a hope. When we seek Him, we WILL find Him! I need my mind to be refreshed with this Truth every single day. I need a constant reminder that my life has purpose beyond the monotony and in my everyday choice to pursue Christ. We will never get anywhere in life with a "whatever attitude." We must believe the words God speaks over us as His children and run this race with great endurance.
So, for those in their 20's...let's call it "the decade of self-discovery."
Here are some notes from what I've learned:
Grab a hold of those opportunities that come your way (taking risks is courageous and you'll be proud you did)
Don't be afraid to leave home for a time (I promise you, there is so much waiting for you outside your comfort zone)
Give generously with your time, talents, resources and money
Travel! (cannot stress this point enough)
Give yourself lots of grace for learning through your mistakes (our decisions have consequences but they never define us)
Spend time developing strong friendships that will last you a lifetime (you'll always need a core group of solid friends)
Pay attention to your heart (there will come a time, most likely, when the face pace of life catches up to you - hone in on what you most desire and be confident in making changes)
Decade of my 30's...
Let's do this!
My next anthem:
