On the eve of my 40th birthday I have been thinking about this past decade of my life. It has been filled with many blessings along with heart ache and loss. It’s funny to look back on a decade and see how it has molded and shaped you, what God has tried to teach you and show you. None of it was easy but all very necessary to help me run my race. I don’t remember all of it and that probably is not a bad thing.
This last decade has been full of celebrations. Milestone birthdays for my children and my husband. My daughters both graduating high school, my husband and I both graduating from college and my son defying all the doctors odds.
There have been two amazing trips to Disney world, fun day trips all over our beautiful state and lots of long weekends camping and playing on the dunes with our jeeps.
A jeep trip down south that went from good to bad, turned into a diagnosis for my husband that ultimately saved his life. (Can we say rare crazy insulin producing tumor that tried to end his life but God put the right rural doctor in our path to save him). Family and amazing friends that stood by us, cared for us and prayed for us when we didn’t even know what we needed.
Grief reared it’s ugly head in the form of loosing seven loved ones in four short years. From my dad to my best friend in the matter of three months, to several other family members. It was a time that rocked my world and left me questioning everything.
In just the last year we sold our house and made a move that we never saw coming but that has been one of the greatest blessings for our family. Small town life has allowed us to breath again and remember what truly matters in this life.
The past decade found me on a mountain for a week of breaking down barriers and showing me a glimpse of what my calling and gifts really are. That time has sent me on a journey of healing and helping other women run their race. It has allowed me to teach at women’s events and have the pure joy of teaching at a women’s retreat. It has taught me to go by faith and God will guide me in the rest.
So much more has gone on in this decade, to much to list. Here’s the thing….I am not sad to see this decade come to and end. It has been messy and amazing. It has molded me into the person I am today. I can not wait to see what 40 brings! To see all this next decade has to offer and all that God has instore. I know that there will be times that it will be messy, but that is part of the beauty in life. To have messy and good, to have laughter and tears, to embrace each day as it comes. So on the last day of my 39th year I encourage you to embrace where ever life has your right now. Run your race and enjoy every moment good and bad. You never know how God is going to use it!
Hugs and love, Michelle