Thirty Something
Yesterday was my 30th birthday. My 20's are officially in the rear-view mirrow of life, and I can see 40 peaking up over the horizon. Once upon a time, I thought I would be bothered by this milestone birthday. But I'm reminded of the line from a country song, "I still remember when 30 was old..." and I have to say that the transition from 29 to 30 was not as big a deal as I expected it to be, because 30 no longer seems old to me at all.
Years ago, sometime in my early 20's, I came up with an unofficial list of goals I had for my life. (And by "unofficial" of course I mean typed up and laminated!) :-) The list was not long - just 5 simple things, but at the time, I thought I'd never accomplish them all. They were, in no particular order: 1. Graduate from college, 2. Get married, 3. Buy a house, 4. Have a child, and 5. Publish a book. I am extremely amazed and humbled that God has allowed all of these goals and dreams to come true, and all by my 30th birthday! Perhaps that is why I'm at peace with the big 3-0.
That being said, I'd hate to peak at 30, so it's time for new goals and new dreams. In retrospect, it occured to me that my 20's were all about me. Me and my education; me and my quest for love; me and my career; me and my marriage; me and my pregnancy... While that was nice and necessary, I feel the wind of change picking up speed. Partly by choice and partly by necessity, my 30's are not going to be all about me. If I were to sum up my expectations in a nice neat little package, I'd say the next decade will focus on the three "B's"... Babies, Books and the Bible. Most likely, whatever other children God blesses us with will come in the next ten years; Now that I've written one book, I want to continuing ministering to others by writing even more; and I want to strenghthen my walk with God and my knowledge of the Bible in order to be a success at the first two "B's."
Looking ahead, it again seems like I have impossible expectations. But, God already wowed me once by making all of my dreams come true. I can't wait to be 40 and look back on my thirties and see what awesome things He does this time!
Years ago, sometime in my early 20's, I came up with an unofficial list of goals I had for my life. (And by "unofficial" of course I mean typed up and laminated!) :-) The list was not long - just 5 simple things, but at the time, I thought I'd never accomplish them all. They were, in no particular order: 1. Graduate from college, 2. Get married, 3. Buy a house, 4. Have a child, and 5. Publish a book. I am extremely amazed and humbled that God has allowed all of these goals and dreams to come true, and all by my 30th birthday! Perhaps that is why I'm at peace with the big 3-0.
That being said, I'd hate to peak at 30, so it's time for new goals and new dreams. In retrospect, it occured to me that my 20's were all about me. Me and my education; me and my quest for love; me and my career; me and my marriage; me and my pregnancy... While that was nice and necessary, I feel the wind of change picking up speed. Partly by choice and partly by necessity, my 30's are not going to be all about me. If I were to sum up my expectations in a nice neat little package, I'd say the next decade will focus on the three "B's"... Babies, Books and the Bible. Most likely, whatever other children God blesses us with will come in the next ten years; Now that I've written one book, I want to continuing ministering to others by writing even more; and I want to strenghthen my walk with God and my knowledge of the Bible in order to be a success at the first two "B's."
Looking ahead, it again seems like I have impossible expectations. But, God already wowed me once by making all of my dreams come true. I can't wait to be 40 and look back on my thirties and see what awesome things He does this time!
posted by Emily Ryan at
3:05 PM
2 Comments:
Everyone told me that my 30th would be terrible. Not so. I don't even feel 30. Do I look it? Yes. I count the dark hairs instead of the grey hairs to save time!
BTW...Congrats on the book and the baby!
Hope all is going well!
Kevin
By
Kevin, at 10:15 AM
Happy birthday - you old so-in-so. I'll turn 30 in December, so I'm still in my 20's...heh.
By
Anonymous, at 11:50 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home