30? Life IS short...

I turned 30 yesterday. No, I cannot really believe that at all. I certainly don't feel 30 and it's as if mentally I'm forever stuck at the age of 25 when I had my first baby - a period of growth for me as a person. I am just so thankful to have lived the life I have so far, a life so fulfilling. I especially sense this after my father-in-law's funeral last week and spending the whole week with family, dwelling on things that are far more important than financial freedom, or a nice house, or a stylish wardrobe, the latest gadgets, and other needless things of this world. 

Lately people have been complimenting me on how nice our kids are, how wonderful our marriage is, how determined I am with running our small businesses and being home with kids, how I still look so young. So on and so on...

It makes me blush. It makes me a little proud. But most of all it makes me wonder. How on earth do I have all this? I know for certain I'm not any better than the person next to me. I know I'm not somehow special or deserve any of it any more than anyone else. 

Yes, I may have made a few good choices. Yes, I work hard for my family. Yes, I put in daily conscious effort to raise my kids so that we can be proud of them and for them to have good character. I can be lazy with housework, but there are certain things in life that I see no option to be lazy with - like your marriage and raising children. 

But I need to set the record straight friends. This is not the work of my hands! I'm not somehow more capable than anyone or any other mother. I am not a super religious person, but I've been a believer and follower of Jesus Christ for some 15+ years. Everything I have and everything I am is based on His grace and there is nothing I can do to deserve it. 

Many years ago He has opened my eyes to the spiritual world that affects all the decisions we make daily. Without this compass I do not know where I would be today. Well, I have an idea. I probably would have married someone based on feelings of lust and attraction, not love and a spiritual foundation. I probably would not treat people around me the way I want to be treated. I would certainly place all blame for marriage problems on whatever spouse I would have had, that's what people do right? I know I would be miserable because my decisions would have been made just for my Self, to satisfy my desires. That's when things crumble, when we just focus on what we want instead of being a blessing to those around us. 

I see so many broken families around me. So much pain in people's eyes. Broken lives, broken people. Chasing after the worldly things that will never bring true joy or love. A focus on Self. Acquiring things to fill the void in our soul. How much will it take for us to realize there is more to life? That it's not just be born, get married, have kids, buy stuff, die. There is more, much more. When you focus on what's important, other things fall into place. That's exactly why I am where I am today. 

It's a daily choice to be thankful even when things aren't perfect. When you are thankful, you are happy. Only a thankful, content heart can be truly satisfied. 

Start being thankful for the little that you have and you'll see how things will change around you. Forget about changing others, start with yourself - the only person you have some control over. 

I don't write such personal posts often, but I felt I had to today. Thirty years isn't much, but I'm thankful God has changed my heart to see what matters, to see beyond our physical realm, and to realize I'm truly nothing without Him. 

Thank you grandpa George for a reminder of how fleeting life is, you are truly in a better place now!

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