The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:22-23 NRSV

Sunday, December 20, 2009

39 was a mighty good year

Just as the clock struck midnight last night, in the midst of a record-breaking, historic snowstorm that threatened and eventually did cancel my plans to celebrate my birthday with my church family, I had to pause and give thanks. I need to say again that I was feeling a little disappointed that I was not going to be having my first day at 40 exactly as I wanted it. But even so, I had to admit that I had a blast at 39.

Last year, I turned 39 with a whimper. I spent the first week of my 40th year lamenting all that I had not yet accomplished. I remembered so well when I turned 30 and rejoiced that my adulthood was really secure. I couldn't believe how quickly the decade had passed. Yes, there were accomplishments, including the completion of my Ph.D. and the securing of gainful employment, but none of the milestones of my 30s up to that time included the things I had most hoped for, a husband and children. When I turned 39, I didn't even have a church. I was feeling a little blessed but a little cursed too.

I don't have the time or the energy for all of the details, but let me say this: Even though I still don't have a husband or a child, 39 was the year when I could no longer sustain the fiction that I am cursed. It no longer is logically sustainable. I have felt more loved, supported, and chosen in this past year than ever before in my life. The process that brought me to St. Paul's, including the respect that the search committee accorded me, blessed me more than I can say. The commitment and investment of friends who rejoiced on my first Sunday and at my installation as if it were their own new life, so many events this year have pointed to the love of God and the love of many friends. I have been celebrated and feted. I have been taken care of and comforted. Friends, old and new, have shown me how loved I am. Family have shown up and beamed with pride.

Women over 40 tell me that I am going to love this new season I am in. I hope so. I also hope to have a family of my own. But if none of that is true, if that doesn't happen, then I have had at least one marvelous year. Thank God for 39.

6 comments:

Revvy Rev said...

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie, though it tarry, wait for it; because it will SURELY COME. It will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3)

Blessings

Unknown said...

ugg boots, chanel handbags, polo ralph lauren outlet, ray ban sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, air max, tiffany and co, nike air max, louis vuitton outlet, gucci outlet, louis vuitton outlet, sac longchamp, nike free, nike free, longchamp, prada handbags, nike outlet, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton, tory burch outlet, ralph lauren pas cher, ray ban sunglasses, tiffany jewelry, kate spade outlet, oakley sunglasses, uggs on sale, louis vuitton, longchamp outlet, replica watches, louboutin outlet, christian louboutin outlet, nike air max, louis vuitton, longchamp pas cher, louboutin shoes, ugg boots, longchamp outlet, ray ban sunglasses, louboutin pas cher, cheap oakley sunglasses, nike roshe run, louboutin, jordan shoes, burberry, prada outlet, air jordan pas cher, oakley sunglasses, replica watches, michael kors, polo ralph lauren outlet

Unknown said...

michael kors outlet, replica handbags, timberland, michael kors outlet, oakley pas cher, ray ban pas cher, michael kors, michael kors, nike blazer, true religion outlet, true religion jeans, hogan, hermes, ugg boots, lacoste pas cher, lululemon, ugg boots, converse pas cher, nike air max, new balance pas cher, mulberry, michael kors, nike air max, nike free run uk, true religion jeans, tn pas cher, burberry, hollister, vans pas cher, michael kors outlet, coach outlet, ray ban uk, kate spade handbags, coach outlet, true religion jeans, nike roshe, abercrombie and fitch, north face, ralph lauren uk, michael kors outlet, sac guess, hollister pas cher, burberry outlet online, vanessa bruno, michael kors, nike air max, michael kors outlet, north face, air force, coach purses

Unknown said...

wedding dresses, mac cosmetics, chi flat iron, north face outlet, hollister, iphone cases, nike air max, babyliss, hollister, hollister, instyler, timberland boots, abercrombie and fitch, herve leger, birkin bag, mcm handbags, soccer jerseys, asics running shoes, nike air max, converse outlet, ray ban, valentino shoes, bottega veneta, louboutin, north face outlet, reebok shoes, nfl jerseys, vans shoes, insanity workout, baseball bats, longchamp, ghd, nike huarache, ralph lauren, nike roshe, celine handbags, converse, vans, lancel, soccer shoes, jimmy choo shoes, lululemon, oakley, beats by dre, new balance, mont blanc, p90x workout, ferragamo shoes, nike trainers, gucci

Unknown said...

moncler, replica watches, ugg pas cher, swarovski, juicy couture outlet, wedding dresses, sac louis vuitton pas cher, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, louis vuitton, canada goose, louis vuitton, pandora charms, supra shoes, canada goose outlet, montre pas cher, karen millen, canada goose, marc jacobs, links of london, moncler, toms shoes, pandora jewelry, canada goose, doudoune canada goose, moncler, moncler, hollister, juicy couture outlet, bottes ugg, ugg boots uk, moncler outlet, louis vuitton, louis vuitton, thomas sabo, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, moncler, canada goose uk, canada goose outlet, coach outlet, pandora jewelry, moncler, canada goose, moncler, pandora charms, swarovski crystal

menna said...

الامانة كلين
شركة مكافحة الصراصير فى الشارقة
شركة مكافحة الفئران فى الشارقة