Entering my Jesus year

Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. – Unknown

Yep, today’s the day, the start of my Jesus year.  Let me explain.  So a few months ago my best friend and I were talking about upcoming birthdays and she said, “Di!  You and Andrew are turning the age when Jesus was crucified.”  This was at a ballpark game and I was mid-bite enjoying my personal sized pizza when I slowly shifted my eyes at her, eyebrows raised and said with my mouth full, “Can you put that in my birthday card?”  I said it in the tone similar to, what the heck kinda comment is that, but then she clarified – could you imagine at this age going through such a thing for all of mankind?  The maturity, the strength mentally to be obedient to God to do what he did for us?  I can’t even fathom.

Another one of my best friends turned 33 last month and her roommate excitingly said it was going to be a great year for her – her Jesus year.  I had no idea this phrase or knowledge was a thing – am I the only one?  I’m going to just embrace it!

On a lighter note, I almost forgot I have over a decade of reflection letters and I’m falling behind writing mine this year – in fact I probably would have forgotten to write one had I not decided to start this post about getting older.  I’ve shared all my treasured letters to myself one friend only – Brianna, a night many years ago when we had a slumber party, she was so interested in my life experiences (I am a few years older than her).  We went through photo albums from my past, then I would read a letter from a specific year of age and we laughed, and I cried, and I when I was done with them all, I felt thankful.

My reflection letters started when I was 15 going on 16, my honors English teacher Mrs. Givens made us write one and gave it to us at the end of the school year.  Gosh dang that one was so darn bratty, I’m horrified.  I picked the letter writing back up when I was in college, having just turned 20 and in my first sentence I called myself “ancient.”  I have no comment about how clearly naive I was, but I recall earlier this year a young clergyman called something from the 80’s vintage in which I freaked out and said it wasn’t and he stopped and looked at me and said, “Are you taking offense to this because you were born in the 80s?”  Pipe down fella.

Age is a high price to pay for maturity and Maturity is realizing how many things don’t require your comment. 

This year, I have a lot to write about, lots of good stuff, and things I’ve learned.  All I know is all these worries I have in my head now, they’ll soon be forgotten about by the time I write my reflection next year – just like all the other drama and worries I wrote about in past reflection letters – which is good, because it means that the saying is true, life goes on, and nothing lasts forever.  I know that sounds weird but here’s how I see it – (1) We are to really enjoy and savor the moments given to us while they are happening and (2) know that in life, if we are in any pain or trials, they will only last for a little while.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Cor 4:18, and “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven,” Ecc 3:1.  This new year, as strange as this may sound, I look forward to everything that won’t last forever.

So thanks Jesus for another year, for breathing life into my dead soul and hope I can be strong and obedient like you.

{Makeup and hair by Lizzy Marsh}