March 14, 2007

Woman to Woman ~ In This Skin

woman to woman
"Here's to good women.
May we know them,
May we be them,
May we raise them."

This is a new little writing adventure I'm setting out upon...I latched onto it from Morning Glory at Seeds from My Garden. She and Lei from My Many Colored Days had this lovely idea of giving other blogging women an avenue to share their hearts and thoughts on certain subjects in the hope that we all can be an encouragement and inspiration to one another! I think it's a fabulous idea...everyone is welcome to join in as you like on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. See Morning Glory and Lei's blogs for more details or click on the "Woman to Woman" button on top or in my sidebar. :-)

Today's topic is called "In This Skin"...

Wow, this is a really interesting subject! It is a topic I don't think about "officially" but I know that it does consume alot of my subconscious thoughts. For instance, I am "ONLY" 28 years old...at this point it doesn't sound too old but when I was 16, 28 sounded ANCIENT! :) To be honest, I have been blessed to have done all that I dreamed I would do by the time I was 28. I've married my best friend, had children and have served overseas as a missionary. Maybe that doesn't sound like very aspiring dreams but they were mine and God has allowed all of them to come true.

At this point in my life, I have a new set of dreams. I guess it's like a renewed outlook on life and my future that is different from a "young" girl's perspective. I LOVE being a stay at home...it is what I've wanted to do since my kids were born. What a privilege! But I also dream of making a house a home for my family...that one hasn't come true yet but it will one day. I dream of connecting with other women and other moms in my community...to have a circle of friends, confidants, sisterchicks...that hasn't come true yet either. Another dream is to do web design...I'm working on this one but it will be a process that will take time, I'm ok with that.

I don't like the sound of being '30'...it doesn't interest me one tiny bit. That to me sounds old...and I don't want to be old. But then I realize that age is only a number and you are as young as your heart feels. I still feel about 21, that was a great age! I was a newlywed setting out on life, the wind in my sails, a breeze in my face and the sun shining down on me...that was a time where I hadn't known much pain or suffering, or hadn't had to make many tough decisions, or experienced heartache, bitterness or broken dreams. The world was my oyster so to speak. Things have changed, friends. Time has passed, seasons have changed...I am changed...I am older. And that's ok. Prayerfully, my heavenly Father has grown me up in Him. He has seen fit to walk me through some tough times in the past year and a half. If God would have asked me beforehand, "Daughter, I have a bumpy road for you to walk in the next year...it will bring heartache and disappointment but it will also bring new perspective, hope and deeper knowledge of Me and who you are in Me...will you walk it with me?" Hmm...I might have said, "Father, can I think about it for a while?" :) Aren't ya glad He doesn't tell us everything beforehand??! I am! I might have passed on all the things God brought to my path recently...but then, would I know Him like I do now? Would I be able to make "mature" decisions like I can now? Would I be the woman I am today? I don't think so.

So aging...not always pleasant...but a God-breathed season of our life. I'm not as spry as I once was...not as energetic...not as "slim"...not as "bounce-back-y"...BUT I do laugh just as hard if not harder now...I know the meaning of true love and have seen it in action...I cry with others easier because I have felt deep heart-pain...I make decisions slowly...I realize that life is not about me...I love my "Babe" with a fervent and faithful love that has weathered some storms and has proven steadfast because of Christ in us...I appreciate my Mama more than ever...I cherish each day as a gift that only comes once...I think more about the future and remember the past...I treasure my girlfriends cause I know now that kindred spirits are hard to find and once you do, you cultivate those relationships because we need each other...I realize that God made me who I am and loves me just as I am, I don't have to prove anything to anyone especially myself and I long to live up to the potential of all that He has hidden inside of me!

Y'all be blessed today...whatever season of life you're in...remember it's a God-ordained season! Let Him love on you, girlfriend! :-)

11 comments:

Linds said...

This is a lovely post. It has been so great to learn more about each other. You will find that circle of "sisters" and friends, so don't worry about that. And passing time means more experiences, and more blessings daily. I will be back to read more.

Zoe said...

I enjoyed reading your post. I admire your wisdom of 28! :) I am a mere 4 years older than you so I guess that I am even older! :):)
That is cool that you want to do web design. I got into graphic design just a couple of years ago. I LOVE it. There are many seasons in our lives for learning and growing!

Dawn said...

I was glad to find you today and read your perspective on being "old" at almost 30. Sounds like you have had some challenges - and there will be more! It's nice to meet you. I enjoyed your thoughts very much.

Lei said...

I love this: "a God-breathed season of our life" and this: "I do laugh just as hard if not harder now"

Thank you, thank you for finding us! I look forward to eharignf rom you again. :)

An Ordinary Mom said...

When I was 28 I, too, thought 30 seemed so old ... now I am 31 and I am doing just fine :) !!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I enjoyed reading them!

someone else said...

This is so eloquent, and what a blessing to have realized so many of your dreams in life so far. Don't ever let any of them go. Dreams still do come true and you have such a lovely perspective on this subject.

Thank you for participating.

Crystal said...

You are so right - the sisterhood of friends is such a lifeline though all the seasons of one's life. You will find each other - sometimes it takes more time than we would like! You sound so wise for one so young - thanks for sharing - it's been fun meeting you!

Susan said...

Enjoyed reading your post and "meeting" you.

Andrea said...

hi Kari
Reading that was like talking with a "sisterchick". :) I loved what you had to say.

And don't worry about 30--it just gets BETTER! :)

Belladonna said...

You are so right about how age is relative. When you said:
I am "ONLY" 28 years old...at this point it doesn't sound too old but when I was 16, 28 sounded ANCIENT! :)it really struck a cord. It's all a matter of perspective.

It also reminded me of a comment my sister made once. I was describing some new milestone my young sons were doing, insisting THIS was the best stage of their childhood. She say "Oh, you think EVERY stage is best."

May you also enjoy ALL stages of this blessing that is life.

Borbe Bunch said...

HI Kari,
Thank you for your freshness of life and your love for your Lord and King....
I loved reading this post and have "missed" you...I have been busy lately and not online much...
Thank you for sharing your heart and for testifying to the goodness of God in your life...
He brings us through His chosen trials to refine us and grow us...
Love ya...
A sister in Christ,
Liz :)

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