Age…

I’m turning 30 this month.

Oh wait…no, that’s just what Taliyah thinks. No big deal. I’m old to a 14-year-old :)

23, actually. I’m turning 23. I almost typed out some words of joy about this little bracket of time in my life, but I choked up a little, so I’ll let that speak for itself.

I’ve been thinking a lot about protecting people lately, so that seems to be the theme working itself out in the beginning of my 23rd year. Protecting other people’s health, other people’s relationships, other people’s stress level, other people. Being responsible for something other than myself and what affects me. Carrying the weight of the growth and well-being of some of the people in my life.

Don’t worry – I’m a balancer. I’m very aware of needing someone to stand next to me with MY stuff too. And, thank God for the structure of his family, I’ve got that.

But not just carry things. Actually PROTECT certain specific things. Fight hard for some of the marriages I’m closely tied to. Shelter little flames of passion in certain very pure hearts that desperately want to become/help me become a better disciple of Jesus. Guard the peace of my home (roommate transition 1-of-who-knows-how-many is gonna kill me, and I miss Casey already, but it’ll be wonderful in the end). Grow as deep as I possibly, possibly can in the art of intercession (read: war). Oh so many ways God is prepping me for things I never, ever, ever, EVER would have pictured myself doing. I’m not exactly a fighter.

But God is. And he’s my teacher. And this was his idea more than it was mine. And it’s gonna be ok.

:-)