Thirty-Six
It’s that time of year again when I talk about how old I am and people older than me can yell obscenities at me cause I’m “not that old.”
I know, I know.
There are days when 36 feels old and days when I feel like I still have my whole life ahead of me.
It’s hard not to think about how I’d planned for my life to go and what is actually playing out in front of me.
For my birthday post last year, I remember writing about how things just haven’t matched up with the “perfect plan” I had for my life. Ha! I thought at this point in life I’d be buried in diapers and playdate invites, covered in snot-nose kisses and Legos. But, that isn’t what happened. And we are so at peace about it.
We are forever grateful for the beautiful 13-year-old we see each month, our two precious nephews, the high schoolers we mentor, and the 600 kids I get to see at school on a daily basis.
God’s grace provides for the barren ones a joyful home with children so that even childless couples find a family. He makes them happy parents surrounded by their pride and joy. That’s the God we praise, so give it all to him!
Psalm 113:9
He’s provided for us a joyful home in every season. He has made me a mother to many.
Along with The Psalm Project this year, I’m also reading the Chronological Bible.
Our reading this week took us back through the story of Abraham and Sarah - a childless couple who saw the promises of God fulfilled in their old age. (No, not 36 “old.” Like actual old.)
While I was reading, Holy Spirit pointed out that Abraham was 75 years old when he received the blessing from God that he would become a great nation. He was 86 years when he let his wife persuade him into fulfilling God’s promise of fathering more children than anyone could count, in their own way. And he was 100 years old when God’s promise was fulfilled the way HE had intended it to be.
100. YEARS. OLD.
a h u n d r e d y e a r s o l d.
Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 years old when they gave birth to their son Isaac.
And this isn’t like “biblical” years around Noah’s time when people lived to be 900 years old. This was generations after God ordained that human years wouldn’t exceed 120(ish).
So, 100 was old.
Even back then.
Can you even imagine your great, great grandma being pregnant? What would the baby shower be like? What would the baby call you? These are the things that keep me up at night!
Abraham and Sarah had come to the end of their life. Everything was wrapping up. Retirement was in full-swing.
BUT GOD.
He gave them a surprise. A long-ago, forgotten promise fulfilled.
Even though they were retired. Even though they’d taken matters into their own hands 13 years before. Even though Sarah wouldn’t have the energy of the the 20-something moms in their play group. (Sorry, I had to. SERIOUSLY, though…can you imagine a 90-year-old woman in your MOPS group? Hilarious. Ok, I’m done…)
He gave them a son named Laughter, “Isaac.”
Because they had both laughed about his very existence.
It just seemed too hard, too crazy, too impossible - even for God. So, they laughed.
Abraham laughed when God told him and Sarah laughed when she overheard them.
And then they both laughed when he was born.
“Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.’ And she added, ‘Who would ever have told Abraham that Sarah would one day nurse children! Even though Abraham is an old man, look - I have given him a son!’”
Genesis 21: 6-7
I love that Sarah points out that Abraham is old, but she isn’t! Ha!
This is the God we serve. He is ready to pour out more blessings than we could possibly imagine. He blesses us to the point of laughter, like crazy blessings.
The Bible says that “at just the right time,” Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to Isaac. I don’t know if I’d say a baby at 90 years old is “right on time,” but that’s why His ways are so much better than mine! It was at the exact time He’d promised her.
He is a promise keeper.
At just the right time, Sarah met her miracle baby. (Genesis 18, 21)
At just the right time, Jesus died for the ungodly. (Romans 5)
At just the right time, we will reap what we sow if we do not grow weary. (Galatians 6)
At just the right time, God will exalt us if we humble ourselves. (1 Peter 5)
He is always on time. He’s never late or behind. He never forgets. He never has to make a list. He is always exactly on time. We can trust the incredible sovereignty of God to fulfill His promises in our lives.
At just the right time.
I’m so glad you’re here, friend. I’m not sure how you found this post, but I continue to be amazed by the internets. It brings us together in such beautiful ways and reminds us that we’re more alike than different. More united than divided. Whether you spend a minute or an hour on this page, know that Jesus loves you like crazy. Like CRAZY. I’d love to hear how I can pray for you. Would you let me know here?
