Two Point Eight

The photo below was taken 25 years ago.

Where time went, who knows.

I turned 28 today.

Turning 27 last year was a long awaited moment in my life. As a little girl I was convinced that 27 would be my lucky age. Perhaps the fact that my birthday is on the 27th of January had something to do with it. I thought that by the time I'd reach that perfect and blissful age I'd be a very good-looking vet who owns a nice house and is married to a writer or musician and we'd travel the world on our holidays while someone looks after our many pets. Well, 2011 didn't quite meet all those expectations, but overall it was a very positive experience. :)

Now there is something different about hitting the 2.8. Different in a good way (I think). I feel like the big, heavy, busy "early/mid-twenties" page has been officially turned and that I have now stepped into the new "late twenties" chapter. It's hard to express with words but the idea of starting something new is quite refreshing and I am excited about what lies ahead!

As I was reflecting on this and thinking about what would go in this blog post, I came across these words from a hymn:

"Venture on Him, venture wholly

Let no other trust intrude."

My eyes and heart felt drawn to these words and so I read them a couple more times, slowly, and stopped to ponder their meaning. The words almost sound like a command but both an encouraging and challenging one. And I think I'd like to take up the challenge this year! Lord Jesus, teach me to throw myself completely into Your arms and learn to trust in You and Your indwelling power in a bolder way than last year. Help me make less room in my heart for "intruders" and bigger room for You.

Not an easy task! And I don't expect to have achieved it all by the end of 2012 (!). But it is my prayer that as I grow older I may also continue to learn and be changed in order to "be taken forward to maturity" and be "mature and complete, not lacking anything" in Christ who gives me everything I need and nothing I don't need. Amen?

Sando