Last year, I hash-tagged about how 40 is the new 30. I can’t claim the fame on coining the phrase, but I am taking on #41isthenew31 Can I get an Amen? Amen, and amen! And with that 41 years of wisdom, I am tackling my next year of life with bravery and fearlessness.  I would like to give myself the 41st gift, and that is the accepting the truth of 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

With the lack of fear, I move into my next year of life, speaking truth, love while living out the commission that the Lord has given me.  But in the meantime, I would like to share with you a gift for this 41st year of life from the woman who gave me life.

My mom is a very talented knitter. She is also a famed seamstress for she not only designed and sewed her own wedding gown, she did the same for mine.

Do know what her other talents are? She is a morally driven lawyer full of integrity and honor. She leads Sunday school for the littles of her church while volunteering for the craziness of summer Vacation Bible School. My mom occasionally leads a Bible study for her women’s ministry as well as crafts, knits, crochets, and sew goodies for all six of her grandchildren, husband, and occasionally her son and in-law children. My husband received a knitted blanket nearly 20 years ago, at the beginning of his Naval career, and still snuggles up on cold deployment nights.

Not only was I gifted with one amazing shawl for the cool nights of star-gazing in Hawaii, I was gifted with a second one for drinking coffee in the pre-dawn hours out on my front lanai.

When I faced this month last year, I felt slightly gloomy, hitting a milestone in the middle of the ocean on a small rock and away from the loved ones I wanted to live life with. I dragged my weary head off my pillow and said to myself, “Hey, this is your year. Even if you face some hard times, it is YOUR YEAR!”

Man, I thought I was wrong as soon as I stood before the coffee pot waiting for the java to brew. Shaking my head, the Lord reminded me that He already had it all planned out. I didn’t need to face a milestone alone. Jesus was right there with me, not for the ride, but as the driver. Yes, He didn’t just take the wheel, He had been driving all along. Gently, He gave me the verse that would guide me all year, and for the rest of this life.

The Ten Finger Prayer:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

Stick that on a bumper sticker and live it out loud. 

This year He is calling me to more.  Being fearless is a daunting thought in the mind of this introvert. I have been taking baby steps for the last few months, but when the word BRAVE blasted me from all directions, I think the Lord made it clear.  Don’t be afraid. Age is just a number. At 41 years wise, I can move forward in confidence of faith and humility. No mid-life crises here. Come join me, to live fearless.