Growing up without getting boring

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 29 August 2007 18:30:42

...is how I summed up what I'd like to do, when I was talking to a friend last week. And now I think it's becoming a bit of an aim for the next year.

Maybe it's just knowing that the big 3-0 is creeping up on me, or maybe it's just that I'm surrounded by lovely friends who are married and settled and starting families or getting mortgages or planning careers or generally doing other stuff I've not felt ready for yet. But whatever it is, I've just realised recently that being responsible in life is not incompatible with having a bit of a laugh. I know I've generally avoided responsibility a lot until now, not because I was trying to be lazy and get out of it, but because I didn't believe in myself enough to think I was capable of being responsible. But some of the stuff God did with me last week, has made me much more confident in who He has made me and given me the courage to start dreaming big things. The courage to actually make those big things happen, I'm not sure is all there yet, but we're working on it.

Which brings me nicely on to my birthday, which I have kind of taken as an opportunity to think about what I want to achieve in the next year. There's a few things on that list, and I think I may have to write them down and keep going back to them. But it feels like it's time for me to step up and set myself goals that aren't just easy things I know I can do. One phrase that seems to have cropped up a lot lately at our church is God bringing about "a new season". It seems He's doing that in my life just as much as He is in our church. It's kind of exciting and kind of scary and kind of confusing, but most of all it's just kind of brilliant.

I could continue waffling in this vein, but I'm still unpacking all the stuff in my head, and I don't intend to dump it all on you, so I'll stop now. No doubt I shall keep you informed of any further developments, whether you want me to or not.

(As for my actual birthday itself? A nice day, quite quiet but enjoyable, and finished with a lovely curry. Happy days... and thanks for all the birthday greetings you threw my way, they were much appreciated!)