I Gave God My 20s

The fun continued when I arrived home and had lunch with another good friend.  That evening she took me to an amazing production of “Fela!”.  A play based on a true story about a Nigerian club owner, the political challenges in his country and how he was influenced to bring change in Nigeria by African Americans fighting for equality in the U.S in the 1960s.  I know, heavy stuff.  The dancing, singing and acting were phenomenal and I was truly blessed to share that experience with my friend.  My actual b day was very low key, perfect for an introverted extrovert like me :-).  I rested, worked out, and met up with the girls for dinner.  They continued spoiling me with flowers, gifts, a cake, and more love :-).

The finale of this blessed event, took place that weekend in the very building we have fellowship in.  I hired my Zumba instructor to teach a 2 hour class and believe me after the first hour I was wondering if it should have been shorter.  But everyone in attendance hung in there and we had a fine time.  One of my friends was so inspired by my idea to work out as a form of celebration, she suggested doing a 10 mile run for her b day!  Hopefully she was joking…

And so, here I am, on the other side of my 20’s.  It’s been a good ride.  Not easy, but good nonetheless.  I know some people do not feel any difference when they age, however I have changed so drastically throughout this last decade of my life, it would be a lie if I said nothing was different.  Because of Christ, everything is different.  He invaded my life at age 19 and I haven’t been the same since.  I am learning and growing everyday because I chose to sit at the feet of the Great Teacher.  There were so many times I tried to un-enroll and quit His class but in His mercy He held on tight.

And I’m the better for it.

I’ve struggled with mixed emotions this b day due to unrealistic expectations, however I can’t deny that GOD IS FAITHFUL.  His faithfulness has never left me.  When others left me, turned their backs on me, and tried to take me under, He caught me, strengthened me, and Fathered me.  He chose me when I didn’t choose Him.  He chose me to be the first in my family to break a host of generational curses.  Cut off the stronghold of sexual immorality, end the cycle of unwed pregnancies, obtain an advanced degree in a specialized field.

I didn’t do it alone.

I did it because of women that came before me that prayed.  They prayed and God answered their prayers using my life to do so.  As a result, I got to live out my 20’s for Him.  The first to do so in my bloodline to at least the 4th generation.  Now I’m praying for those after me.  That they will take this baton I’m running with, and when it’s time for me to pass it on, they’ll be ready.  Ready to run farther than I could ever possibly imagine.