This past weekend, I celebrated my 27th birthday. I celebrated over a sprinkle-ladened cake, Katy Perry and Beyond Balderdash with girlfriends, a stunning day at the beach, milkshakes and burgers with my family, and spinny rides and elephant ears at the fair with good friends.
(My mom was so pleased with herself for photo-bombing this picture:)
Twenty-seven totally sounds older to me than I feel. For most of my life, people have thought I was older than I was and suddenly, people seem to think I'm much younger than I am - I'm not sure what that means or what to make of that. Either way, I have found myself in much reflection over turning 27.
I'm not sure why 27 seems like such a monumental number to me. Maybe it's because it's my first birthday back in the US in four years and it feels like I've come full circle, in a way. I haven't. I know that. I'm only 27. I'm more aware than ever before that life is filled with ebbs and flows and peaks and valleys. I also see more than ever that I have so much to change in order to be the reflection of God.
But I have also seen that through every victory and defeat, every moment of joy and of sorrow and of hope, and through every big or small step forward, God has carried me and carried me greatly. He carries me with perfect tenderness and compassion and with steady love and strength. But he doesn't just carry me, he makes me soar. Even the dips get higher and better than the previous ones before and each phase and moment brings me to a constantly richer point in my life and walk with God.
I know I will understand so much more after the next 27 years and that I will have so much more to reflect on. I am deeply grateful for that opportunity - that privilege, really: to live another year and see more of this world. To experience more of what it means to truly live. I have so much hope for the future and faithfulness to rely on as another year comes forth, and for that, my heart is full of gratitude.
And thank you to all my friends and family, near and far, who celebrated with me and make me feel so loved always!
I love this picture, especially because of all the really great hand gestures.
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