Today I turn 40 years old. The third decade has left. Another decade has emerged. Only it’s not just another decade I’m coming into, it’s the decade in which I get to live adventures I’ve never lived, do the things I used to be afraid of doing, conquer the battles that lie ahead, and love like I’ve never loved before!
You see, in my 30’s, I lived a lot. You can say I lived a lifetime in those ten years.
I became a mom of my second little boy at 30 years old. I was challenged in my faith like never before and sadly walked away from God at 31, went though a tough divorce at 32, and thankfully came back to my God and Father at 34. While strengthening my faith, I made great new friendships and rekindled old ones, I learned how to be a more loving and patient mother (though I’m still learning!), and then at 39 I married the love of my life!
Now God is calling me higher. He has a dream for me. He believes in me. I remember telling Him years ago that due to the grace He has shown me and the unconditional love He gives me every day,
I want to be used by Him in whatever way He thinks I can serve Him best. It may take sacrifice and bumps on the road as I learn and make mistakes, but I told Him I am willing to undergo whatever training He wants for me so that I can grow to be a great woman of God! One who will be a godly and supportive wife, a spiritual and loving mother, and a servant in the ministry and in the church. One who can help others come to Him and grow in Him.
I don’t know any other way of doing all of this successfully except by relying on HIM. Specifically relying on his Word (daily scriptures), relying on daily prayer, and seeking advice from godly people. I have weaknesses like anyone else, but so did David, Ruth, Moses, Joshua, Joseph, Sarah, Priscilla, Peter, Paul, Hannah, Deborah and the list goes on and on.
When we look at these people of the bible we usually see greatness first before we see failure. Why is that? I think it’s because although they were imperfect humans (as all of us are), we see how they served God, how their faith grew from their mistakes and/or how they overcame fear by relying on HIM!
We all have the potential to be the greatest we can be for God. I think it takes a step of faith to say “God use me as you will, I am your servant”. Jesus did. Jesus obeyed. Jesus trusted. Even Jesus had to take time to pray daily. Even Jesus had to rely on his Father. What would make me dare think I can do this on my own?
So as I enter this new decade of my life, I enter it with the full awareness that I will need to rely on God more and more, but at the same time I am also fully aware that God believes in me and dreams for me! I am looking forward to the new adventures He has for me and the ways in which He will use me.
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path
The Intentional Christian Woman 