I'm 26, not dead.

I have to remind myself of that sometimes. I am 26, not dead. I still have so much potential - so much life ahead of me. No, my life is not perfect.

(please hang on through the next paragraph, I promise it gets better.)

I do well to live paycheck to paycheck, I just don't make the money to do much more.
I am not married, nor is there one in sight for me.
I desperately want to go to Africa, yet it looks like it's still at least a year away.
I have gifts that I desperately want to develop, but simply don't have the time or resources to develop them like I want to.
I come home to loneliness. Yes it's difficult to come home to a family you're having to support, but I think it's (almost) even more difficult to come home and know it's just you and Jesus, there's no family to meet you at the door and encourage you.
I still don't have my master's degree, which I desperately want.

Ok,there. I got my complaining off of my chest. I said what I wanted to say, but there is truth which rides above so much more.

I have a paycheck. I am blessed to have a job in an industry that's being forced to lay off many workers right now. And I get along really well with management and coworkers.
God did not create me with a desire to marry just to tease me with it. His timing, my story, will be beautiful and perfect. Uniquely made just for me and whoever I marry.
God put the desire for Africa in my heart about 20 years ago. I am so much closer to Africa than I have ever been before. I WILL GO. I will be in that land so soon.
I have been able to slowly develop some skills, have some doors which have been opening, and although it's scary to step into something new, God is meeting me every step of the way.
I don't have the financial pressure of supporting a family. I can get myself into a better place before that is a concern.
I will be getting my master's degree soon, and it won't matter that I'm almost 30 when I do so. Who cares how old I am??


Jesus reminded me tonight that He created me with a purpose. He doesn't make mistakes. There IS a perfect plan and future for my life. And while I'm waiting I will reach out to others. I will pray for more opportunities but I will not waste the opportunities which I have already been provided. And I can intercede! My heart is not bound my land. My heart longs for Africa more than I can verbalize, so I will pray. I will intercede. And when I finally set foot in that land, the ground will have already been tilled. I will be stepping into God's promises and know that He has prepared the way.

I'm 26. I'm not dead.