Growing Up. . .

I'm pretty sure I'm done growing up. I've been struck the past couple days about how simple life used to be. . . get up, do the couple hours of school and chores assigned to me and then the rest of the hours were freed to do as my heart wanted. beads, "drawing" ( if one could call it that), and legos dominated my time. A crisis was when my sister wouldn't share her dolls, tears came when I had to have a timeout for punishment, and the worst thing was when dad made me clean my room. 
But as I grow up responsibility and character tests come crashing down on me every hour of the day. Every decision I make seems to be more and more important. I'm becoming who I'm going to be for the rest of my life. Every  flaw that is apparent now, if not addressed, could become a characterization of who I am. 


I feel like I've been prepped for battle and the day of the war has come. Every event in my life has made me who I am today. Every person, every experience, every determination, every desire, every tear, every fault, every sin, every despair, every joy, every circumstance, every day, every minute, every second, has or is shaping me. Who am I and what will I become? I'll get back to you on that one. . . 


But this is what I hope to be: 
I want to be the kind of Christian that, when I reach the end of my days, God can say "well done my good and faithful servant!" not for me to start stammering "Well- I-I  was PLANNING to do that...". 
I want to set an example to others even my youth  " In speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. I don't want to put off what can be done today, I want to live every second to it's fullest. I want to inspire, to dream, to create, to love, and most of all, to glorify my Savior with all my life. 


So, no, I really don't want to grow up. I forever want to be Peter Pan and play all day with the faeries. But then I'd miss out on what I've been given. What someone died to give me: Life, love, joy, and hope. . . 
I have a future and a hope. A destiny in Him. A purpose. A direction.


 I'm not gonna wait. I don't want to miss this. It's the opportunity of a life time. And I want to watch it. 


Who knows what's around the corner? His plan is complete. . . and perfect. 


"Tick tock, hear the clock countdown
Wish the minute hand could be rewound
So much to do and so much I need to say
Will tomorrow be too late?

Feel the moment slip into the past
Like sand through an hourglass
In the madness, I guess, I just forget
To do all the things I said

Time passes by, never thought I'd wind up
One step behind, now I've made my mind up

Today, I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it

Today, I'm gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late, one day too late

Here's my chance for a new beginning
I saved the best for a better ending
In the end I'll make it up to you
You'll see, you'll get the very best of me

Your time is running out
You're never gonna get it back
So make the most of every moment
Stop saving the best for last

Today, I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it

Today, I'm gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late

One day too late. . . " 
~Skillet 

Don't give up, don't give in, your life is here and now. Don't wait. Because one day it will be too late. . . 
Every day is new "his compassions never fail. They are new every morning" (Lam 3:22) You have been prepared for a battle and the war is here. Live. And remember, every time you fall. He is there and you are never alone...


Redeemed,
Swordmaiden