Life in Your 30’s

There is something about your 30’s that pushes you, no, actually forces you to see life through a different lens. In your 30’s things happen that unexplainably leave you dumbfounded. Unexpected, undeserving seasons come without explanation. It’s much different than your 20’s. In your 20’s it’s all about the new stuff. New friends, new relationships, new engagements, new marriage, new school, kids, new job. It’s exciting. So many new experiences and new people moving you into adulthood.

Oh, to be 20 Again

30 came in like a wrecking ball for me. Never would I have thought I would lose my son. I entered my 30’s praying for a miracle. Instead, I was left with the decision to cremate or bury my son. We moved to a different state. I started a new job and career. Adjusted to no family around. Dealing with health issues. My marriage is tested. My faith in God is questioned.

Friends are dying (yes, people are dying). Friends are getting divorced. People around you are sick. You’re sick. Cancer. You realize your parents are getting older. Depression. Anxiety. Career challenges. Financial unrest. This world is crazy. World pandemics. You are responsible for other people, little people. Kids get sick. And the list goes on. Please, don’t get me wrong it’s not all bleak, but the reality of life becomes very real. Your faith is tested, and the scripture “we were not promised a perfect life” hits closer to home than you would like.

Here I am entering my late 30’s seeing life and the world around me as broken. I feel so broken some days, and I know Jesus! For those who are just as broken and don’t have Jesus, it’s a hard road to be on. I don’t know how people do it without Him. And to be honest I admire them. Everyday walking in fear, anxiety, stress, overwhelmed with life and you don’t know Jesus? How are they still standing? This fear has crippled me at times. And the things I thought I dealt with in my 20’s became resurrected. Guess what, that thing you keep pushing to the side will come back up to haunt you if you don’t deal with it. So, allow God to heal you, and to be used as a beacon of hope for others.

30’s are Fun, I Promise!

The past two years have been hard for everyone (thank you COVID). Entering a new type of ‘normal’ dealing with a fear mongering virus, political unrest, social divide, the list continues. At any moment, it feels like our country will fall apart. The division between people is crippling at times. And to add to that, there’s personal issues you’re dealing with. It becomes too much. At what point do we feel exceedingly overwhelmed by everything around us?

If I could tell my 20 year old self what is to come. I would say, “you’re joking, right?” But, I would also say, have grace and patience over yourself and others. Live in the moment. Things are going to come that will knock the air out of you. But, you will get through it. You will have the will power, the people, and God to get over whatever setback may come. Love yourself, and don’t worry about what the people around you are doing. Focus on you! It’s your calling you need to step into, no one else’s. Drown out the noise, be brave, embrace the people who truly love you, and do you.

Now, your 30’s are not all terrible, I promise. You discover who you are, you create memories and traditions. You’re more aware of life around you, not just your own. So many firsts happen in your 30’s too and it’s fun. Your first child, first home, first little tooth lost, even first 2nd home (ha! But bigger because you’ve been financially blessed). First kinder graduation, first sporting event for your kid (and you are so proud and more excited than they are, because you envision their whole athletic career at the age of 3, lol). Your first brand new (not used) vehicle, first colonoscopy (oh, wait I think that’s just me), more money (because you now have more experience), more travel, and so much more. The key here is more. We get more in life but most importantly more of God.

The Lesson

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
⁸ They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

The reality is, God wants us to know him, to trust him, and to father us. He is our shepherd. We should know His voice and tune out the rest. We go through these hiccups in life gaining more perspective, more experience, and hopefully a closer relationship with God. Run to Him when you are dealing with the blows of life. Going through adversity is an introduction to a deeper intimacy with God. We experience more of Him.

God uses us to resurrect His life. We become the miracle that others see. A true testament. The people around you will see Jesus move when our lives are used by Him. People are watching as you walk through your valley. How you come out of it, is the miracle that they see. They see God use you, have peace upon you, guide you, protect you and give you the provision you need in each moment. So don’t defect from God because of a tragedy, instead lean into Him and glorify His good nature. As the reality of life and adulthood become more real, lean into the intimacy of God and the goodness He has already shown you. Cheers to your 30’s!