The Next Decade

Finally turned the big 3-0 yesterday. I’d been waiting on it for awhile now. The last decade brought along self discovery and acceptance. It also helped re-prioritize my life.

In those subtle moments as I observe my parents speak animatedly, I see the signs – groove lines, turfs of white hair, and the eyes. Eyes hazing with years of experience and wisdom. I slowly recognize those same traits in me.

Though family remained thousands of miles in Nigeria and the States, I was completely welcomed into a new one in Sweden. The traditional birthday cake was replaced with a Swedish Prinsesstårta, Sunday service was observed at the UNESCO Heritage Site, Gammelstad, and a pretty lazy afternoon spent at a local outdoor market with a Greek dinner wrapped up the day.

The last four birthdays had been literally (and truly!) spent on the road – either on a train or flying somewhere.

This 15-letter word means “God’s ways are wonderful” in Yoruba. It is also my full name (“Lola” is in there somewhere!). Counting God’s blessings in my life seems a futile task as they were numerous even when I felt undeserving. Never failing me, He continues to reveal His will in a myriad of ways and my gratitude has no depth.

My twenties were spent on growing and finding my spot in this world. Now fully comfortable in my own skin and with those rogue strands of gray, my thirties will be fully spent on more service and fully realizing God’s will in my life.