It’s hard to believe in 23 days, I will be turning 40. I have been looking forward to this birthday for quite some time. Not because of the number, but because of the significance I see with the number 40 in Scripture. In the Bible, the number 40 is often connected to a time of testing. Now to many, if not all of you who are reading this, you are probably thinking that I am not thinking straight. Who would want to willingly undergo a season of testing? Not me! Yes, I am not saying that I am jumping up and down for pure joy for what we are walking through as a family, but I do know that what we are walking through is for a purpose. I want my life to matter and I hope to make a difference where I can.
Often, we can miss the purpose of the testing because of the pain we are experiencing. My prayer through these past 5 months has been, “God, may Your purpose prevail.” It is a painful prayer. In my flesh, I don’t want to be going through this, but as I do, I want to be as positive, and encouraging as I can be. I don’t want to allow this diagnosis to define me. It is a part of our story, but it isn’t the entire story. There are still chapters to be written.
May my next 40 be my best 40!