40 is the new 40 - Part II

My first post was titled 40 is the new 40. I titled it that because we often hear people make the comment, “40 is the new 30.” It sounds as if something is terribly wrong with 40 and maybe I want to be 30 again. NOT! I was a mess at 30. I didn’t like the person I was so I searched for myself in other people and things. My 30s were much like my 20s. And though I thought I was having fun, I was still longing and missing something. I kept thinking that with age I would simply become wiser and one day something “good” would just happen for me.

It was in my mid 30s that I really started to self-evaluate. I had that “Aha” moment, as Oprah says. I realized God created me in His image. He’s great! So greatness was (is) already in me. I realized that God created me for a reason. I needed to find out what that meant and what was I called to do? I realized that now (then) was the time. Enough time had been “wasted.”

The year leading up to my 40 birthday was a really refreshing year. I felt God’s presence like never before. I could hear Him clearly speaking to me. Most importantly, I felt a release. I felt as though He was giving me permission to live and to live out my purpose for which I was created (for His glory!) When you read my first post, you see how it all came together so I won’t repeat what was said.

But here’s what I want YOU to get…

40 is MY new 40. Everything clicked for me. I get it. I finally get it. And I’m so truly and tremendously happy, as a result!

But the post really isn’t about being or turning 40. It’s about recognizing that for which I was created. I stopped running and searching and simply accepted the call. I’m hoping that by telling my story, you will see yourself in me and you will also have an “Aha” moment. If you’re young, maybe you will realize it before the age of 40. If you’re older, maybe you will realize it’s not too late. You, too, were created by the hand of God, for a purpose. It doesn’t matter if you are 20, 30, 60, or 80. You are never too young or old to fulfill God’s purpose and plan for your life! The point is to start where you are right now. Embrace where you are in your life right now. Don’t fret over could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. Get out of the cycle of self-pity and regretful thinking. Stop thinking that you missed the call and now you’re too old. Life doesn’t end when you reach a certain age. Realize that you’re still alive! TODAY! AT THIS MOMENT! You still have a chance! And there’s still time! All you have to do is make the decision. Today is the day for you to start living the life for which you were created! This is your wake-up call! Start living and living your purpose today!

And just in case you need a little more motivation, enjoy the tidbits below... :)

For the young-uns…

• Fats Domino was a professional pianist by 10
• At 13, French painter Renoir worked at a porcelain factory, painting flowers on dishware
• At 15, Henry Ford, disliking life on the farm, moved to Detroit and trained as a machinist
• At 18, Elias Howe, who worked in a watchmaking shop, dreamed the idea of the sewing machine and worked on developing it for the next five years
• At 26, College dropout Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple Computer

For the middle-aged…

• At 30, Mark Twain published his first short story, "Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog."
• At 34, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry, publishes "The Star Spangled Banner."
• At 40, Joan Ganz Cooney founded Children's Television Workshop and became the mastermind behind "Sesame Street."
• At 55, Painter Pablo Picasso completed his masterpiece, Guernica

For the seasoned…

• Grandma Moses started painting when she was 64
• Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the President of South Africa at the age of 75
• Michelangelo designed the dome in St. Peter's Basilica between the ages of 72-88
• Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Guggenheim Museum when he was 91

Speak Truth To Your Dream

Truth is …You were created in God’s image.

I believe because we were created in God's image and He is great, that we, too, are great! Sometimes it’s hard to see greatness in ourselves when things aren’t flowing the way we think they should. That little space of doubt allows the enemy to slip in and convince us that we aren’t good enough or we can’t succeed. He may even say something like, “How long are you going to dream this same dream when you see it’s not coming to pass?” So defeat sets in and eventually we lose focus and sight of our dream.

But God’s word says that He knows the thoughts He has towards us, plans for us to prosper…(Jer 29:11) Because we are created in God’s image, these are the same thoughts we must have toward ourselves. We must embed thoughts of prosperity, hope and a future in our hearts. If it’s our passion to see our dream come to pass, we must guard that in our hearts. Then we have to take authority and begin to speak truth and life to our dream. Out of the mouth flow the things of the heart (Luke 6:45).

Start confessing what we want. Confession in Greek means Homologeo. Homo means “the same” and logeo (or logo) means “to speak.” We must speak the same, the same as the Word. Psalm 37:4 says to delight ourselves in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our hearts.

So I ask you today, what is your desire?  Is your desire to see your dream come to life? If so, I encourage you to reclaim what is rightfully yours. That’s your dream. God wants to see it fulfilled just as much as you do. He takes pleasure in blessing you, simply because He loves you. That is the truth! Do not let today pass without confessing out loud your dream! Confession is the first step. Begin today to speak truth to your dream!!

40 is the new 40

This blog is created with the intent to invoke purpose in your mind.  So I decided to start my blog with a note that I posted on Facebook back in March, on my 40th birthday. As you read through the note, be reminded that God is a God of purpose. It's never too late to align yourself with God's purpose for your life!  Be encouraged!!!


“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” Peter Marshall                                                                                                                                             
     Forty is a transformational number that means a time of trial or probation followed by blessings. When I look back, I can recognize all the times God has kept me and how He has directed my path since before I was born. I’m so thankful for His direction and destiny for my life. As I think about Esther, I realize that God has been preparing me for such a time as this..
     I’ve been in school for numerous years now (seems like forever!). Last year God showed me this scripture…
                                                                                Deuteronomy 8:2-10

“2 Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. 3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 For all these forty years your clothes didn't wear out, and your feet didn't blister or swell. 5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good. 6 So obey the commands of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. 8 It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. 9 It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.”

I’m finally graduating May 5, 2011. I believe it’s no coincidence that I’m graduating this year with a BA in Organizational Communication, the same year of my 40 birthday. It’s amazing to me because I had no desire to study communication. My pastor, Lloyd Bustard, always says to be a people person. I’ve never considered myself a people person. People have always let me down. If it was up to me, I would just stay in my own little world hidden in my shell.  But Psalm 118:8 says “it is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” God didn’t create me to separate me from His people. People, saved and unsaved are broken and searching, just like I was for so many years. Though I’m not perfect I realize through much life experience, scholarly studying, and revelation from God himself that A) He is real B) He loves us and C) He wants us to love each other, imperfections and all. (Matt 22:37-40). Most importantly, I recognize that God has a purpose for my life and for each of you.
God has placed many people in my life that have helped shape me into who I am today.  So today, as I meditate on and am thankful for where I am in my life, I am celebrating me by honoring some very dear women who have inspired me along the way….. Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy!

P.S. We are ALL designed for greatness for the glory of God!!!