AT THE WATER’S EDGE:

Today I turn 40. Thats four decades of life now complete, and over half my life lived as an adult. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I wrote this post for my 30th birthday, yet a lot has happened since then. I have written a number of birthday posts in the intervening decade and figured 40 deserved none less. But what do I write about? As with 30, I have reflected back on my life thus far and I considered listing out 40 experiences and accomplishments. I’ve been blessed to have seen and done some amazing things that do deserve a mention — from world travels to non-profit and volunteer work to career progress, to buying a house and then another, to marriage, foster care, adoption, parenting and homeschooling — not forgetting fun things like winning a rock climbing competition, making my own cheese, scuba diving, growing Jurassic size zucchini plants, training a champion trick dog and seeing the Northern Lights in all their glory. But, then my stepmom asked me the other day what my goals are for the next 10 years. Oh, snap. Am I supposed to know that?

I’m not really one that makes hard and fast goals for my life — I’m not even one for New Year’s resolutions — but I do think it’s important to be intentional, and I decided I should shift my attention forward. What DO I want to accomplish in the next 10 years? Well. In 10 years, I’ll be 50. My kids will be 16. I really think these are the critical years where I will be helping to set the direction for my kids’ lives. By 16 they will have much of their own independence and freedom, and my influence will be far less. Certainly, my family and kids in particular are a critical focus for the next decade. Of course there are other things I dream of, too — though I’m not certain what may fall into the next 10 years and what may have to wait — and some dreams are still nebulous with too many unknowns to fully flesh out as of yet. As Proverbs 16 says:

“To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
    but motives are weighed by the Lord.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans…
…In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.“

Surely, it’s good to have ambition. And my personality type can easily fall into inaction, so accountability is also good. But more important, I think, is making sure my aim is true — and that requires a lot of intentionality on the short term, day to day and even moment to moment, to align myself with God and the purposes that He has for my life.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” –Ephesians 2:10

I want to do the good works that God prepared in advance for me to do. In the four decades that I’ve lived, I’ve learned that when I fail to do the Good that God has for me, He will send someone else to accomplish His purpose — but I miss out on the joy and blessing that comes from doing good unto others.

So, what can I say for specifics of the next decade? While I may not have a formalized 10 year plan with SMART goals, I think I can distill down a few priorities:

1. To align myself with God daily through reading his Word, praying and listening for the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
2. To help my children grow in wisdom and stature — teaching them about the love of God, how to love themselves and others, to have courage and confidence, to identify and use their talents for good, to have hearts of compassion and to be people of action and Truth.
3. To grow my marriage and not let our relationship get lost in the midst of parenting, that we can be a united front, supporting our kids and serving our community — which means being intentional about our time together, carving out time just for us and seeking out ways to support and encourage Tom.
4. To support vulnerable kids and families — in what capacity remains to be seen, but God has laid on my heart to find new ways to help and encourage others with the help and encouragement that I have received.

Of course there are many fun things I’d love to do including travels, fun family experiences, expanded gardens, new adventures, making memories with friends and family, etc. — and if the Lord is willing, those will all be part of the next decade, as well. But for now, I’m going to keep my focus simple. I’m going to let this little prayer that has been on my heart the past couple years continue to grow and become a part of my everyday:

Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lead me into right action.