Welcome 30s: The Age of New Beginnings

This month I turned 30! I can't believe the years have gone by so fast! It seemed like just the other day I was 7. Well, maybe not, but the years have crept up on me. 12 years ago I graduated from high school, 8 years ago I graduated from college and now I am a working girl in the Big Apple. This is not where I thought I would be. I had my life planned out by the age of 13. It went like this:

1. I would attend FIT (like Lisa Turtle from Saved by the Bell) and major in Fashion Design. Instead I graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.S. in Apparel Design.
2. Then, I would meet my husband, who would major in finance, and start his own company. (Instead I dated a wannabe rapper for 7 years and it went no where)
3. By the age of 23 we would be married and living in a fabulous condo on the east coast with a second home in West Africa or Europe.
4. By the age of 30 I would be a stay at home mom with 5 or 6 children, 3 dogs, a mongoose and a farm out in the country. Oh and an Aston Martin, his and her black on black Range Rovers and a small yacht for vacations on the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.

Well, needless to say, my life turned out differently. Maybe some of those plans would have happened, but God intervened. I believe if the plans I laid out happened, I would not be in Christ the way I am in Him now. The Lord saved me from a destructive path. There were times that I considered living with my then boyfriend, moving out to NYC or LA right after college but God closed every door. At the time, I didn't know God was preparing me to become the young lady that I am today. I know Jesus as my Lord, Savior, Best Friend and Brother.

He is showing me that He has bigger and better plans in store for me than I could ever imagine. Not material/earthy wealth or worldly success, but the things that are eternal and everlasting. Because all the worldly things shall pass away and things that I am growing spiritually are all for the glory of God. The beautiful thing is that I am seeing it. God is using me in my workplace, family, church and friendships to bring Him glory. He is pruning me to be the sister, friend, daughter, servant, intercessor, future wife and mother that He has created me to be.

I was talking to my sister about how significant the age of 30 is. Jesus started His full time Ministry at 30, Joseph became Governor over Egypt at 30 and David become King of Israel at the age of 30! On the Christian resources today website, it states that the meaning of 30 is "the marking of the right moment." So I know that God has a lot in store for me. Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. NLT

To all my brothers and sisters turning 30 this year or who are already in their 30s and feel like they have not accomplished the goals or plans they set out to complete by the age of 30; believe me the best has yet to come. God has everything planned out! Trust Him and live in His Will and you will see miraculous things happen. Remember to be obedient and He will lead you into your calling.

No More Christian Nice Girl by Paul Coughlin

My friend emailed me this article and I just had to share it with my fellow stormriders! It is a great article from crosswalk.com by Paul Coughlin. I hope it intrigues and edifies you as it did me. I have always prayed that Jesus would help me to be more direct, firm and kind when speaking to people than to be nice, wishy washy and timid. Christ definitely illustrates in the Bible how we should conduct ourselves when faced with confrontations and certain situations. In the end it is all with love and truth. Click on the title to read the article or click the link below, enjoy!

http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/PCoughlin/11633154/

Embracing Rejection as God’s Protection in 2011

Often times we have so much pain from things that happened in our lives but God says in His word that:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. I know that in my life I have experienced all types of rejection; personally, professionally, and academically. Even through all the rejection and disappointments I have learned that God has always kept me from destruction. We have to learn that the pain we would have experienced if we had not been rejected would have been worse than the pain of rejection. Sometimes we pray for jobs, spouses, education endeavors etc, and we don’t always get what we want. Could you imagine if we got everything we wanted? If we received everything we prayed for? Our lives would be a big ole mess! In all situations we should learn that what we considered rejection was God’s divine protection. God says in Psalm 91: 11 – 12 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. God only looks to protect you. He has set a path for you and has designed a unique destiny and place for you. If some of that rejection did not happen where would we be? We do not know what’s best for us. God’s way s are higher than our ways, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We may not fully understand the rejection but what we can know for certain is that God sees the bigger picture. He knows your past, present and future. I would encourage all of you to regard any rejection in 2011 as divine protection from the Lord. Remember that God is guiding every step you take. Remember that through it all worship God even when you are hurting, when His presence is surrounding you His love will over power any pain you feel. 2011 will be a year of trusting God’s big picture. Know that all things work for good. Acknowledge his hand over your life and know that when you proclaimed Him as Lord of you acknowledged that He never fails. See your rejections as God’s divine protection and watch Him reveal His truths and plans to you.