Rockdale Citizen

Photo by Howard Reed

I celebrated my 30th birthday last week. And although I am claiming to stay 29 from here on out, I sat back and thought about how incredibly thankful I am.

No, it isn't Thanksgiving, although it is less than six months away -- but being thankful isn't supposed to be saved just for the holidays.

When I woke up on my birthday, I considered all of the things I thought I would have done in my life by now, and haven't. I thought I would have finished college, but I haven't. I thought I would at least have written a few more chapters in my book, but I haven't done that either.

But then, I looked around at my house, and saw the pictures of my husband and me, and I smiled.

I first and foremost am thankful for my salvation. That is the most important thing in the world to me. Secondly, I am so incredibly blessed to be married to the man of God that I am married to. Our marriage is great. God has blessed us both beyond measure in our relationship.

And the family I married into is fabulous. I know not everyone has the best in-laws like I do, but I knew early on that God was graciously pouring out His favor in my life when He blessed me with the Wells.

And although I fought turning 30 tooth and nail, it really isn't so bad. I have an abundance of close friends whom I call family. I have two church families, a house, a job I love, a husband who has a job he loves, two cars, two dogs -- my list is endless.

No, I may not have that degree hanging on the wall, but that doesn't mean there won't be one hanging up one day. And in time, the book will come, too.

But for right now, I am just soaking up the blessings God pours out in my life.

I have had hard times in my life, and more will come. It is, after all, life. I know that the real reason for life isn't to take, but to give.

We spend too much of our time focusing on what we don't have, instead of what we do have. It is high time we all starting praising Jesus for the life and the blessings He continuously gives us all.

Jesus gives us all the option to accept Him or not to, and I choose Him.

Life is too short to be so bound up and wound up in things that aren't going to make you a better person. I can say that I learned that early in life because God carried me through tough times and He molded me in His love.

Because of those bumps along the way, the reality of life and things that matter most, well that is what I am most proud of. I can see beyond bad circumstances and bad days, for they are all apart of a bigger plan and purpose in life.

I know in an instant things can change. Life can be swept out from under your feet and you land on your bottom. The other precious thing that I've learned is that when you fall Jesus is always there.

God's peace and grace surpass all that life throws at you. Thankfully, I didn't have to earn a degree to understand that.

Yes, I am one blessed girl, and I know that because I serve a risen Savior -- an almighty, gracious, forgiving, understanding, sufficient and an incredible God.

Julie Wells is the editorial assistant in the newsroom at the Rockdale Citizen. She can be reached at julie.wells@rockdalecitizen.com.