And here I am, on the eve of what I have always imagined to be a wiser, stronger, better, calmer me. In some ways, those things are true in my life...I do feel more assured, less chaotic, more settled, and better equipped than I have ever felt, but I've also found the dawn of my 40s accompanying more unknowns, heartaches, sin-fighting, and grace-giving than I'd ever imagined.
I think when you're younger, you hope that time and diligence will bring about refinement that makes living easier. But the older I get, the more I'm thinking it's actually that the refining work of Christ in our lives makes us need easy living, less. The aim is no longer to arrive at a place of less difficulty (with ourselves or our circumstances), but rather to handle ourselves and our circumstances in difficulty with Christ-wardness. The question at 40 is not WHAT I will do with my life, but HOW I will do what He's given me to do.
Our pastor preached out of 2 Samuel 7 today, as David prays according to God's sovereign anointing and greatness in and through David's life. I couldn't help but hear this verse with a grateful heart as I turn the corner on four decades of life.
“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?”
It's just another day, and though nothing physically changes, the heart knows that 40 years of breath is no small miracle. The Lord has done great things...and who am I that he would bring me this far?
Because of His glory and for His praise...I have been given the number of my days. Lord, help me to see them accurately, steward them well, and run the race with my eyes wide open. Thank you for these 40 years.
We are celebrating my birthday at GraceLaced Shoppe!
*All orders placed on my birthday, October 5, will receive a FREE special edition 5x7 print of "Live A Quiet Life," a verse I hold as a pursuit of my heart.
*I've teamed up with amazing companies all week long for daily giveaways for Ruth's Fab 40 Giveaway Week on Instagram! Be sure to check in daily over there, and join in the fun. I'll be giving away a $40 store credit EACH DAY to GraceLaced Shoppe along with some amazing goodies! Come back on Friday to the blog, where I'll highlight each collaborating company...you'll have a chance to enter until giveaways close on Sunday night, October 11.
Thanks for celebrating with me and for your sweet support of GraceLaced. I'm so grateful.
Because of grace,
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