Milestones and Seasons

On Monday I will be 25 years old -- a whole quarter of a century. This is one of the weirdest birthdays that I have ever had... wonderfully weird and tragically weird at the same time for many reasons. New seasons of life, new challenges, new areas of growth and need of total dependence on the Lord, new lots of things - none of which I would have ever anticipated even a few years ago.

I had a conversation with a dear friend some weeks ago, and we were talking about how different our lives look now than how we had imagined it when we were kids or even in high school. I always imaged that by the time I was twenty-five I would be finished with school, have a career, married, and have a couple of children... I almost laugh now thinking about my expectations and how neatly I had arranged my life when I was thirteen. I look at my life now -- working on a masters that I hope to complete before I'm thirty, unmarried (and in a wonderful relationship), and still not completely knowing where the Lord will lead or doors He will open in the days and years to come. But you know... in every year that has passed I have come to know the Lord more, have learned to delight and hope in Him alone, endured trials that bring about perserverance, character, and hope, experienced moments of elation and wonder by the hand of God, and made some wonderful friends that have spurred me on toward godliness and total satisfaction in Him alone. I am truly thankful for what the Lord has brought about in my life: good, not-so-good, and seemingly unbearable. I praise God that His strength has been made perfect in my weaknesses and I look forward to the days to come with much anticipation and expectancy.

So, bring on 25. Bring on 85. Each day brings me closer to seeing the face of Christ, the face of the One who chose to take my shame and punishment so that I could spend eternity with Him - forgiven and free from sin that leads to death. We look forward to that day... come, Lord Jesus.

Here is a prayer of seventeen-year-old Lady Jane Grey that she prayed in prison before being beheaded in 1554... if only I could pray that from my heart every day. I am learning -- let's learn together to praise God in all seasons, because in all seasons He is good and He is deserving of our worship. Be blessed, and have a great weekend.

"O merciful God, be Thou unto me
A strong Tower of defence,
I humbly entreat Thee.
Give me grace to await Thy leisure,
And patiently to bear
What Thou doest unto me;
Nothing doubting or mistrusting
Thy goodness towards me;
For Thou knowest what is good for me
Better than I do.
Therefore do with me in all things
What Thou wilt;
Only arm me, I beseech Thee,
With Thine armor,
That I may stand fast;
Above all things taking to me
The shield of faith;
Praying always that I may
Refer myself wholly to Thy will,
Abiding Thy pleasure, and comforting myself
In those troubles which it shall please Thee
To send me, seeing such troubles are
Profitable for me; and I am
Assuredly persuaded that all Thou doest
Cannot but be well; and unto Thee
Be all honor and glory. Amen."

-Lady Jane Grey