Level 28

Every birthday, people tend to look back and reflect on their lives for the past [insert number here] years that they’ve been alive.

Yea… I mean, it definitely looks a lot different from what I thought it would look like when I was 20. I’m not sure if anything I am doing right now was what I envisioned 8 years ago or even 5 years ago.

I’m pretty sure I was supposed to be married by now. Maybe have a child. Be living in Africa. Have already built an orphanage. Probably have a few books written. Be halfway done with that stupid checklist we let society place on us. Did I leave anything out? I think I forgot the Nobel Prize I should be preparing to win next year.

“Man makes his plans, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Yep, that sounds about right. Although there were a few times when I found myself ignoring the path of God and blindly taking another road thinking it was something I wanted. Bad idea. There’s been some detours, roadblocks, dead ends, re-calibrating, and definitely some flat tires. Let’s not talk about the crashes (literally and figuratively).

While each of those moments taught me a big lesson; they could definitely have been avoided if I’d just let Jesus take the wheel (easy to say and harder to do). However, I don’t think I (completely) regret any decisions that I made simply because they taught me so much about myself and God’s grace. He does not waste one single moment and I would not be the Rebecca I am today had it not been for my past. There’s still some moments were I just cringe and block out from my memory. We’re human.

Each day brings a new change, each day brings its new challenges. And every day God is right there with me helping me each step of the way.

So this January 21st 2020, I look at Rebecca and I see someone worth loving. I love what she represents. What she embodies. What she’s become. What she’s faced. What she is. Everything that comes with it.

For now, I will buckle in my seat. Turn on the ignition. Blast my favorite tunes. Adjust my mirrors. And look to my GPS, the Word of God. Full speed ahead!!! (within the speed limits of course because we are responsible adults here who obey the law…) Let’s see what road God has me traveling through this time and all the sites and people we will encounter.

I’m excited that this road trip is a life trip with God. Here’s to level 28!