25th Birthday Reflections

So, it’s my 25th birthday in a couple of days and I have been thinking a lot about my life, my journey, how God has shaped me and been with me and mostly just reflecting on this past year of my life.

It is crazy how much God can do in such a short time. In the last year or so I have grown immensely. I have become a deacon, I preach and share my faith publicly, I lead, I am a GB captain… I cannot honestly fathom how I got here sometimes. And that is because I truly didn’t do it on my own – it was all God. I just made myself available to him and he used my willingness to shape me and use me. This last year has been especially challenging, I lost a close friend, I had a relationship break down and I had to choose – my own way or God’s way.

I chose God's way. Now, I can surely say that I made the right choice. God’s way may not be easy, not pain free but it is so much better. I have felt peace and joy and seen doors open in ways that never happen when I live my way and for only myself. I may not always be able to see the blessings, the outcome or purpose of my pain at the time it is happening. But I know there will be a day when I look back and understand. I have taken some time to reflect of my life and I am sharing 25 ways God has blessed me and worked in me. As I approach my birthday I want to thank God for my life, for all he has done and all I know that is to come.

Here are 25 of the ways God has worked in my life and blessed me:

1. I was blessed to be raised in a household of believers. I have had the privilege of knowing God and having a firm foundation to start me off in life.

2. My home church; when the world was against me and I had no friends, no one to turn to. I had church. It was and is forever my safe place and full of people who love me.

3. God protected me from self-destruction and self-harm. I was depressed, severely anxious and bullied for years. But God had his angels near me, and he protected me at such a young age through the darkest of times. I am forever blessed by this and grateful to God.

4. Girls Brigade – oh goodness do I love GB. It was the best 13 years learning about God, developing my faith and making friends who also loved Jesus. It is incredible to now be leading young people in my own company.

5. My parent’s friendship group. I was so blessed to have many “aunts and uncles”. These are incredible people who love God so greatly and encouraged me in my major growing years and to this day support me. I could not have been more blessed to have them in my life.

6. A minister who pushed me when I did not even know I could do things. She was sure and confident in me long before I knew what God had in store for me.

7. A lovely student who helped me out of my shell musically and helped me with singing lessons.

8. The support of teachers who believed and encouraged me to pursue academia when I thought I wasn’t good enough.

9. Managers in jobs who have been understanding and encouraging of me, not just in my work but in all aspects of life. Especially to those who have been sympathetic and understanding of my health conditions.

10. Getting jobs despite many not being able to under the restrictions I face.

11. Incredible young people and children that I have worked with and continue to work with. They shape me, teach me and encourage me. I am privileged to get to do what I do.

12. Parents who taught me the word of God and showed me what a life with Christ is like. They never fail to keep me going.

13. God has used every failing as a growth opportunity and used it to strengthen my faith.

14. God has blessed me with being able to study with a Bible College online, getting to grow in my knowledge of him and gaining confidence in sharing the gospel.

15. I have the ability to share my faith widely and publicly.

16. I made incredible friends at university. My dear friend may no longer be here, but her love and friendship will always impact me. I will always be every grateful for her encouraging me to attend Christian union and supporting me to do that even when she herself did not believe.

17. I was able to attend university and graduate despite being told I would never achieve it with my history of anxiety.

18. I flew on my own to another country, conquering many fears with God by my side.

19. I am able to preach and lead services when I was once too shy to even say hello or look at anyone in church when saying the grace.

20. I am able to sing worship and play music, all at the hand of God.

21. I was baptised at 19 and it changed my life. God has continued to show me unfailing love, grace and blessings.

22. I have been blessed with older friends in church who when I was young took me under their wing and I now hope to do the same.

23. God has used my illness to do far more with me than I could have ever done being ‘healthy’.

24. I am blessed with a brother who I am close with and has always been one of my best friends and still is now.

25. I am blessed that God is not finished with me. Every day I grow closer to him and my faith is strengthened. I know that there is so much more to come.

I thank God for the past 25 years of my life. I thank him for always loving me, forgiving me, waiting for me, encouraging me and ultimately for saving me. I can’t wait to see what the next 25 years will bring. I pray that I may always be a member of your church and your child.

If you want to know God and have him work in your life; have him transform the dark places, use what can only be seen as negative and make it something wonderful. I urge you to call on him today, read his word today. It is never too late to be a part of this family. He is waiting for you.

Faithfully,

Becky