“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”
Psalm 66:16
Well, y’all! It’s officially official and I’ve made it to the grand age of 30!! ??♀️ I have been sincerely looking forward to this age for quite some time and SO thankful to the Lord for bringing me here. ? For some, there is a strange stigma or dread when it comes turning 30! ? I have even been told that once 30 hits to expect a magical switch in my metabolism causing it to come to a screeching halt and 50 pounds to pile on unaware? [could happen but other than eating one too many birthday cupcakes, I am doing just fine!] From personal experience, besides the sudden rise in my healthcare share plan cost [I guess we tend to get a little more adventurous in our 30s raising the risk of necessary emergency room visits?], 30 is fabulous and the satisfaction found in Christ far surpasses any stigma that [for some reason] comes with this age???! So, if you are dreading this age, please don’t. ?? Each birthday is a blessed milestone and another year to draw near to the Lord God! This week I have been reminded of Psalm 31:15 where it says, “My times are in THY hand”. What an amazing truth is that?! It takes me back to my “verse of the year” where it says, “Known unto God are ALL His works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:18. The Lord can be trusted and we can confidently move forward whatever age we find ourselves in!! My 20s were truly blessed holding beautiful memories, joys, fun times along with some intense challenges/trials[1 Peter 1:7] and hard choices to be made! In them, The Lord brought me to a sweet place of contentment and satisfaction in His perfect will[Ps 18:30, Prov 19:23] and through each challenge I faced He revealed to me the endless depths of His mercy and grace[Ps 103:11]! I have tasted His goodness time and again[Ps 34:8]! The days the Lord grants me in my 30s may not always be filled with “cupcakes and sunshine”?! I know there will be storms to face, obstacles to overcome, hard choices to make. There will be a constant need to refocus my sights on Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of my faith[Ps 34:5, Is 50:7, Hebrews 12:1-3]. But by God’s grace, I will be victorious[1 Cor 15:57]! I will weather the storms in the strength of the Lord[Ps 107:28-30] and overcome those obstacles by His grace[2 Cor 12:10]. Come what may, the Lord God will guide me every single step of the way[Is 41:13]! I am truly looking forward to all the days ahead as I trust God with each moment of every day! It’s a new year… a new decade to sing His praise[Ps 9:2], declare His faithfulness[Ps 92:2], and rest in His amazing grace[1 Cor 15:10, 2 Cor 12:9]. Will you join me for the grand adventures that lie ahead? ? I look forward to sharing them with you right here on my blog! ☺️?
“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalm 73:28
To kick off those adventures, my family surprised me with a trip to the Beach and I have a few pictures to prove it!! ???Completely unexpected and thoroughly enjoyed. ?? Sunshine, cupcakes, and sand! What a fabulous and humbling gift for my 30th birthday! Thank you a million times over, especially to those who stayed back home to care for sheep+chickens, make doctor appointment, and keep the homestead running smoothly!! And to each that took time to leave me sweet birthday comments on my birthday post, y’all were used by the Lord to bless my heart in a very special way. I’m thanking the Lord for your kindness! ?
“I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.”
Psalm 71:16
I have to agree with your perspective on age. I have been very guilty if attributing things to age. Some things do I happen as I age, but as you said, it gives way to opportunity to draw closer to the Lord and rejoice in Him. I also realize that I am stepping closer to my opportunity to be with the Lord. Yes, as Paul said, it is more needful for you(the you in my case being family members and friends) for me to remain here. I think Paul new that heaven was do much better and longed to be there. Yet, the Lord had work for him to do and wasn’t going to take him until his lifework was done. So, it is God for us to rejoice in the life t he Lord has given us and seek His face, ask Him to guide our steps, and follow Him til He takes us home! What a beautiful time you had with family! I rejoice in your opportunity. The beach holds fond family memories for me. Glad you could get-away with your family! Thank you for sharing. Your posts are a blessing to my heart!????❤️?
I love your thoughts on this! Yes, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21. I have found growing older or aging can become a fear for me personally when my heart and mind is set on the temporal[2 Cor 4:18] or started storing up for myself “earthly treasure”[Matt 6:19-21] and not fixed on the eternal. The command to “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”[Col 3:2] is a great daily reminder for me! ??
It was a beautiful time spent with my family, thank you. And praise the Lord, all glory goes to Him along for any blessings or encouragement found in my posts. What a tremendous answer to my prayers! ???
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.-Matthew 6:20-21
Rachel,
Thank you for all your thoughts. You beautifully shared through Scripture and also your heart. I love the fact that turning 30 wasn’t hard. That is a sweet testimony!
Your 30th birthday trip looked so great. What a special thing your family did for you. ❤️
May the Lord continue to bless you. I am grateful for your friendship.
Sarah
Only by God’s grace and working in me was it not hard! ❤️ He has been so faithful to do a good work in my heart. I am so thankful!!
The 30th trip was FABULOUS! So thankful for your friendship too!!!!! The Lord has been gracious to us! ??
Well, HAPPY BELATED ? to you. I haven’t been to the blog in a while. So nice to see great birthday pictures of the ‘photographer ‘. The loo-wow looked to be a spectacular time. AND you don’t have to be concerned about the metabolism or weight gain for 20 more years. ?. Thirty is good. I do enjoy your encouraging posts.
Thank you soo sooooo much, Sharon! I LOVE seeing your comments come in when you have time leave them. Such a daymaker! Haha, yep! I have been warned by a few that 50 is the year to give up cupcakes and move only to leafy greens + fat free salad dressing.?? I am enjoying 30 and don’t plan on giving up cupcakes for another 40 years or so(Lord willing)! ??
Aw, praising the Lord to hear you enjoy them!! Thank you so much! You have been such a sweet encouragement in my blogging over the years.❤️
“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.”Ps 115:1
I enjoyed reading your perspective of birthdays! Even though we change, God does not, and He remains faithful!!! Looks like such a fun trip! Thanks for sharing your pictures. ❤
Thankful you enjoyed them!! I wasn’t sure if I would make an ounce of sense to anybody but myself.? Your comment reminded me of Deuteronomy 33:27 where it says, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms”! Amen, I am so thankful we serve the Lord Jesus Christ who is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
So thankful you had a fun and blessed birthday, filled with laughter and family. You are 30 years young. Age is so relative! To a child it seems old, to another, like me, it seems so very young. It just depends on where you are along the time-line of life. I’m glad you weren’t depressed by it. You have a great view on aging. Our souls never age, just the bodies that temporarily house them. The next body that God gives us will be eternal. That’s what I’m looking forward to.
I loved your wonderful plethora of verses to punctuate your note to us. Yes! Our days glorify God. Our ages glorify God; the One who gives us life and breath. Live in the joy of each day, even the sad or difficult ones, for each day is a gift. And try to keep your eyes on Jesus.
God bless you, Rachel!
I was talking to a friend about how age is relative. My thoughts is one cannot call themselves old until they have reached 110! ??? Your note blessed me and reminded me of a much loved verse, “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.” Psalms 84:5. May our hearts be set on that pilgrimage and our eyes steadfastly fixed in Christ. Whether we are 3 or 33 or 103! ☺️? May ever day lived here on earth be used by Him to glorify His Holy Name!! The Lord God is faithful!!
God bless YOU, Sheri!! ❤️