Three Sixty-Five

I'll be 29 next week (30 next year). I'm by no means old. I'm older than some, but still younger than most. I don't have the life I dreamed of at 14, nor the one I dreaded at 22 and I praise the Lord on both accounts. I have an abundant, challenging, grace-soaked, love-filled life which could only be possible through Christ. I'm a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a friend to many. I don't have everything I want (who does?), but He certainly has provided more than enough of everything I need. He has blessed me far more than I deserve. And to think of all the kicking and screaming He's put up with from this simple-minded gal just so He could wow me.

In the next year (before the big 3-0. I refuse to panic, but I won't deny the weight of such a milestone), I plan to be more intentional with the time, choices, and opportunities the Lord gives me each day. I need to get rid of the TV, loss 60 lbs (5lbs per month is realistic and healthy), return to Russia(n) (perhaps the country, but at least the language), spend more time with Him (allowing Him to equip me) and follow Him as He lovingly guides me further outside of my comfort zone.

If I've learned anything thus far, it's that the Lord is truly is faithful even when I am faithless. Life is not a matter of killing time between milestones and major life events. All of life is preparation for eternity.

7Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die:8Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,9lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?"or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
(Proverbs 30:7-9 ESV)

8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
(Micah 6:8 NIV)

Lord, help me to focus on you each day rather than what you might have in store decades, years, months, weeks or even days from now.

13if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
(2 Timothy 2:13 NIV)

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23).

If I'm going to get wrong sometimes, if I'm going to make an error in judgement, please let me err on the side of grace rather than pride.

22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
(2 Timothy 2:22)