24

Well, it’s that time of year again. The time where the calendar tells me another year has gone by and the number of years I’ve been on this earth has increased. People usually celebrate their own days. I usually do too, but I normally don’t advertise ;)

But one thing I do like to do…..reflect on the last year. Yeah, yeah, that’s for New Years’, right? Nah. Do it on your birthday. It’s much more special.

Where has God brought me during my 24^th year? Wow…to look at the past year, I’ve had my ups and downs, for sure. I’d like to say I’ve come a long way, but have I really? This past year was probably the most bittersweet so far. Had some incredible highs, incredible lows. I’ve seen some incredible despair, but also some incredible hope. Honestly, I’m not the same person I was when I turned 23. I’m not the same person I was yesterday. I don’t want to be. I want to keep growing. God’s grace for this wretched person has shone the brightest I’ve ever seen.

As I sit here in the hospital, watching little Jackson sleep, this is honestly the last place on earth I thought or dreamed I would be right now….I had other plans and dreams. BUT, by the grace of God, and I truly mean that, He had other plans and has brought me here. I have no doubt about that. NONE. His guiding hand was so evident and being in the center of His will is sweet. It’s beautiful. I don’t want to be anywhere else.

Bring on the next year.

I also want to share the song I have been and will be listening to constantly today J It’s an oldie, but a good reflection….especially when you turn 24 ;)

24 – Switchfoot

Twenty four oceans - Twenty four skies

Twenty four failures - Twenty four tries

Twenty four finds me - In twenty-fourth place

Twenty four drop outs - At the end of the day

Life is not what I thought it was - Twenty four hours ago

Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

Twenty four reasons to admit that I'm wrong

With all my excuses still twenty four strong

See I'm not copping out not copping out

When You're raising the dead in me

Oh, oh I am the second man now

And You're raising these twenty four voices

With twenty four hearts

With all of my symphonies - In twenty four parts

But I want to be one today - Centered and true

I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

You're raising the dead in me

I want to see miracles, see the world change

Wrestled the angel, for more than a name

For more than a feeling - For more than a cause

I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

And You're raising the dead in me

Twenty four voices - With twenty four hearts

With all of my symphonies - In twenty four parts.

I'm not copping out. Not copping out. Not copping out.