A Letter to my 30s

The 20’s were……..interesting. Some good, some bad, some ugly, some lessons, some blessings, some testing, lol. I could divide my twenties right down the middle, 20-25 and 26-29(.9). The first half is called “HerLife” and the second half is called “HisWill”.

It’s typical for people to say the twenties are your wild/fun years and the thirties are when you truly become an “adult”. In my twenties, I experienced a lot of life. I graduated college, walked away from a not so good relationship, moved out of state, got engaged, lost my grandmother, re-dedicated my life to Christ, ended an engagement, moved into my own first apartment, started a business, started my blog, started therapy, gained a sisterhood, got my PupSon, traveled, and a whole lot more! But the transition between HerLife becoming HisWill was the most pivotal moment in my twenties. My whole life changed. The change came but the change is still ongoing.

As 30 approached closer, it began to sink in that a section of my life was closing out. Every year is a new chapter, but closing out a decade, felt like a whole new section of the book was about to begin! Reflection is important because we know everything that God does has purpose.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

When I reflect on my 20’s, I see growth, not perfection just progress. I’m so thankful for all God did for me and through me. If you would have asked me when I was 18, I would have said by 30 I was married, working on baby #2 by now, and just living my life in my little bubble with my family. Very selfishly, my whole life revolved around me and my own desires. But that last part of my twenties, there was a reset. I began to see my life through God’s lens. It’s my life but it’s really not about me.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” John 6:35

Surely there are things that I want and would rather be different in my life, but what I think is best for me, God always has something better. We hold our lives so tightly gripped that we don’t allow for God to come in and shift things around. I’ve learned to let God do his thing in my life. When I hold too tightly to my plans, I leave no room for one of God’s crazy miracles. God is known for breaking protocol, so I’m giving him full access to my vision board! We are creative, but he is the great artist!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.”As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9-10

God’s continued faithfulness in my life has shown me that he never fails. EVER. He never loses a battle, and in him we have VICTORY! So even in my moments of doubt and questioning, I am always reminded of all the times that I thought life was over but it turned out to be exaclty what I needed.

For me entering 30, I finally feel confident in who I am and who God has called me to be. The things I wanted in my 20’s have changed a little now. I value authenticity, good community, and wisdom. I’m now more aware of what Chelsea wants. My gift of discernment is always turned on, boundaries are important, and keeping God’s agenda first is most important to me. It’s so easy to get caught up in our own world, but we can’t forget that this world is temporary. Our home is eternity and our lives belong to Christ.

There are some things that I just refuse to take with me into the next decade including fear, timidness, shame, doubt, or backing down when things get tough.

Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, Luke3:23

Jesus was around 30 when he began His ministry, but all along, he had been preparing for this time. His purpose had been planted by God before he was born. At age 30, Jesus began walking out his purpose. This doesn’t mean that what he was doing before wasn’t purposeful, it was all apart of God’s bigger plan. Jesus was spending time in the temple and learning scriptures that would be needed when his ministry began. The same is true for us. Nothing we experience in life is without purpose. It is all needed for God’s bigger plan. What we go through, we actually grow through. Those life happenings help shape and mold us into who God has called us to be.

If I was writing a letter to my 30 year old self, it would go something like this:

“Hey girl heeeeeeey! Wow! 30 years old. Looking back over your life, I see evidence of God’s goodness and favor. (Psalms 5:12) There were days when life seemed unbearable and there are things that no one knows but God, but somehow you never stopped going. You went through some fire, but God kept you. It has not been peaches and cream and I know you are still in a HUUUUUUUGE waiting season, but your growth has been a beautiful thing to watch. Remember the sweet promises of the Father. He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Psalms 27:10) He is with you always. He hears you.  He is The Alpha and The Omega. You will see the goodness of the Lord. (Psalms 27:13) He loves you so much girl, you are the apple of his eye. As life continues to happen, remember that God will fight for you, you only need to be still. (Exodus 14:13-14). As you continue to wait, be reminded that he does not withhold any good thing from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalms 84:11) The world is unstable and shaky, but with God you are standing on a firm foundation. (Isaiah 33:6) His peace will guide you as the waves of life try to throw you into confusion. (Philippians 4:6-7) Don’t worry about what the future holds, because you know who holds your future. (Philippians 4:19) Yes you may fall and yes you may fail, but that’s okay. Get up, dust your shoulders off, and keep going. God loves you forever and always. Although you don’t have the full plan, God will always show you the next step. Stand in faith. (1 Corinthians 16:13) And no matter what, remember God is for you. (Romans 8:31)“

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (MSG)

Cheers to 30’s 🤎