I have closely observed the patterns in my life, and as the years have gone, I realise more how there are truly no coincidences. With a new decade, comes the remembrance of the ten years past.
On the eve of my birthday, I tried to rack up more steps for the day, walking around the poolside of my uncle’s and aunt’s place in Bangkok. There, I reflected with much gratitude on the time passed and the time ahead.
Forty. The big 4-0. As a young person this always seemed a distant, magical number. Back then, 27 seemed the right age for many things. For marriage? Sure. Maybe even children before or around 30.
Life as it was, and then new all at once.
Thirty was not quite what I imagined, and yet it also began the most transformative decade of my life up until that point. Early on in 2013, I was newly stripped of the all the things that defined my worth–career achievements, affirmation in relationships. At the end of myself, I found life–new life in Jesus Christ, becoming born again as it has been called. And for someone who had believed in God all her life, all this came down to a renewing of the mind and a re-focusing of the heart on this relationship with my Creator and Father, the inexhaustible source of Life.
From there, it led me through ten years of unlearning, relearning and reshaping, being set on a life path so different and so much richer than I could have chosen for myself.
A life within my own life.
Forty years. How could I have known this is where I’d be? And here we are, a life within a life. Edward, baby and I. I’ve had my time of learning painful lessons. From being single and wanting so desperately to change that, to being so blessed in that singlehood. Then having my joy multiplied in this marriage. And now another layer is being woven in. Not a subtraction or a division. Not simply an addition or an erasure, but overflow.
I can only marvel that God would so grant us this blessing. There is so much I do not know, and would not pretend to, but I move forward knowing my God who does know. And just as He has in the last decade, so will He reveal the next steps in right measure, knowing exactly what I need, when I need it.
Our life in all His life’s fullness.
Ten years down, it all comes full circle.
“The thief (Satan) comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.“
taken from John 10:10, ESV, words in parentheses mine
I look at these sonograms with anticipation of how our child will look face to face, how he’ll feel held close. I think of the prayers Ed and I have made throughout this pregnancy journey and beyond. I think of all the people who share our joy and wait expectantly for this day. Our dearest boy, you are so loved, even without us knowing the depths or heights of how much we could love.
On this Easter Sunday, we remember the One who Himself is Love, the One who gives life and is Life. Jesus, Our Saviour and Lord. He gave up His life freely on that cross, carrying the weight of our sin. And today, we share in this Life, not just on earth momentarily, but in abundance for an eternity.
The Message version of the verse (John 10:10) goes, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
My own path carved so far, and from here a new pathway begins. I would not have it any other way.
Little one, you are life within my life. And in His life, may we always remain.
Good To Hear From You 