In case you missed it, today I turned 30 years old. For some individuals, this could mean the end of an era, for me, it’s just the beginning. Like many of your stories, my 20’s were filled with incredible memories. Working at camps, graduating college, traveling the country, deep, meaningful, lifelong friendships, boyfriends, marriage, and child-bearing. Also my 20’s were filled with mistakes, too much alcohol, crossed boundaries, lies, and shame. My 20’s were spent figuring it all out. Figuring out how to be better, sometimes through others’ mistakes, sometimes learning from my own, but always striving for better. I’m grateful I haven’t figured it all out yet, that means there’s still progress to be made, but now here I am, entering a new decade, better.
There is an old saying that “the best is yet to come”. I believe that with my whole heart. As rich and fulfilling as my 20’s were, even in those painful, yet redeemed, moments, I have an eager anticipation for what my 30’s, 40’s, 50’s will hold. But as much as I believe the best is yet to come, I keep coming back to one small error in that phrase. If I believe with my whole heart that the best is only yet to come, I will always be anticipating what’s coming next instead of what I currently have.
If I believe with my whole heart that the best is only yet to come, I will always be anticipating what’s coming next instead of what I currently have.
Right now I have a heart filled with memories with friends that, despite my self-diagnosed early onset-dementia, I will never forget. I have a heart filled and overflowing with humility and gratitude for the small, meaningful possessions I have right this moment. I have a heart brimming with 30 years of instilled Gospel teaching in my life whether through personal study, mentorships, pastoral care, books, conversations, moments. That is richness in its purest form right?
I am better now. Better than I was, deeper than I was, richer than I ever have been. And as I enter this new decade anticipating what the steady rising Sun will show me next, I also believe the best is now. The best of my life, the necessary of my life, the vitality of my life, the life of my life, is now. It is coming, yes, but it is now, and in this moment I am more alive because I believe that. I believe that by God’s grace and mercy He has gifted me with blessings past, now, and along the way, and I am grateful and alive because of them.
The best of my life, the necessary of my life, the vitality of my life, the life of my life, is now.
We do this, though, don’t we? We are eager for change, for new opportunities, for what’s to come. That is good and keeps us moving forward. But let’s not forsake God’s gift of today, for what may or may not come tomorrow. May we believe that behold, God is making old things new, He is refining and growing and participating in bringing us to godliness. That each and every day is a present, so be present, and remember the best is now, and yet to come.
Alongside you,
Image Credit: Alice Swanson, Creative Commons