Milestone Birthday

Have you ever had a milestone birthday? 

For lots of people it’s when they first hit double digits (10), and then it’s hitting your teen years (13), then driving (16), then voting (18), then being a legal adult (21)…etc.

For me, this is my milestone birthday. 

You’re probably thinking “Why is 43 a milestone? That’s weird.”

See, there’s been a lot of death in my family since I was in fourth grade. And it was pretty consistent. Not everyone died of the same thing, but there were a lot deaths from cancer. Like, a LOT. 

My mom died when I was in high school (she was 43), and even though they said the cancer she had was not genetic, her mother died of the same kind ten years later. (My maternal grandfather died of brain cancer 2 years after my mother.)

I couldn’t help but wonder if it was going to affect me next. It was never a fear that plagued me every day, but I’d be lying if I said I never thought about it. 

Every time a new mole showed up, I’d wonder. If I had a pain in my breast, I’d wonder. If I had a headache that lasted more than a day, I’d wonder. If I had a cough that wouldn’t go away, I’d wonder. 

It wasn’t an overwhelming fear, but it has made me wonder. 

And I think because of that, it has made me consider how I am spending my days. I have done more self-reflection in recent years than ever before. And it has been so, so good for me. 

God has been incredibly gracious to me in my lifetime. He has surrounded me with a wonderful family, with a caring church, with friends who love Him and point me to the truth. I’ve had experiences that I never would have outside of Christ, and I am extremely grateful. 

I try not to take days for granted, but I can waste time with the best of them. 

So, on this day of turning 43, I just wanted to thank the Lord for His faithfulness in my life, and however many days I have left, I pray He will help me to use them well. 

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15-17
(15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
(16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
(17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.