On Leaving the Thirties Behind...

Today I stand in the glow of the sunset over the third decade of  my life.

As I stand at the threshold of my forties, I find myself pondering deeply

and raising my heart in gratitude to the Lord, my God.

My thirties were lived primarily and wholeheartedly for God.

I was born again when I was 25 years old, and decided that

I was all in or not at all so I've been up and running full tilt

since the day I found deep and radical new Birth was mine

through repentant faith in the One who died for me.

So by the time my thirties came along, I had sure footing,

settled peace in my soul and a zeal to live for God

above anything else, but He has had many

things to teach me about complete trust in Him

no matter what I face or what is denied me

that would seem like a good thing.

He has had to teach me much about 

being ok for the messiness of life to touch me,

caring deeply about the devastation that touches 

others because of sin and the fall of man...

trusting Him to write His thots on hearts

that seem blind and hard,

reaching into the darkness 

and holding forth the Word of life while

loving them, knowing that His job is

to do the transforming.

My thirties were far from peaceful externally.

Oh my no! I have walked thru the wild wind of

the wilderness, felt the burning desert sand beneath my feet,

and found myself crushed beyond anything I had

ever known. I have lost alot in my thirties...

felt the crushing blows of disappointment,

and known the Knife of the Master Pruner.

I came across a quote recently that really 

describes my thirties better than I can:

But in all that, I came to know the sweetness of

fellowship in Christ, the kind that happens 

when you stand stripped of all self-sufficiency.

I have known peace in my heart that could not be shaken

unless I had strayed away from God myself.

Looking back, I would have to say that

my thirties have been some of the best

years of my life.

I have met many new friends whose hearts

beat high with the same joy mine does,

some of them very much younger than I

but with a passion that encourages me

to keep walking with God.

I have not ever been in want. Not once.

And what I lost, well, I completely

trust God that it was a good thing.

And I choose to walk in quiet surrender,

reaching my hands out to work in the

part of the Vineyard where I am called.

He knows best.
I honestly believe that with every

fiber of my being.

And so, as I stand at the entrance of a

new adventure, a new decade of life,

as God tarries,

I do not fear. I am not scared to see the gray hair

becoming prominent on my head.

I am not afraid of the unknowns that lie ahead.

I have God. I love His ways and I am 

completely safe in His care.

In a testimony shared in church on Sunday,

I soberly recounted how choices are

so very important as I ponder where I

could have been had I not decided to follow Jesus.

I see friends and family who still stumble in

darkness and selfish living and I weep for them

to know the LIFE that I know because of

JESUS.

I can boast of nothing but the Cross of Jesus Christ.

In every single day, I am keenly aware 

of who I am outside of His powerful life

 that flows through me.

I can do nothing on my own.

I only know that I do not want 

to live for me.

I want HIM. Always.

In every single day that

 He gives me breath.

Here's to the 40's for me!

To God be the glory,

GREAT things He has done

so far...he melted my heart of stone

and replaced it with the peace 

that passes all understanding!

Love and blessings,

Marcia

Let Your Light Shine on Us

This song has become the crowning theme

for me as I look back over my thirties

and realize how graciously God has led

me all the way, ever constant in His

light, grace, and love.

He'll be that to anyone who truly

follows Him and allows Him to 

make them wholly His.

I promise.