Today’s my birthday, the big 2-6. Wow, time flies.  The other day I said something about my childhood followed by, “But that was twenty years ago.”  I never thought I’d hear myself saying something like that anytime in the near future.

I’ve been thinking of all the great historical figures who made a dramatic impact on the world during their 20’s:

Mozart was in his mid-20’s when he was commissioned as a court musician in Salzburg.  Alexander the Great came into power at 20 and conquered most of the known world by his early 30’s.  Most of the disciples were in their late teens and early 20’s when they were called to follow Jesus.  I could go on and on and on.

Great young minds are scattered throughout history by making an incredible impact in the world around them and I want my own life to be in that conversation as well.  To get to that place though means that I have to ask myself some tough questions:

• What am I doing today that will last beyond my lifetime?
• Who am I influencing today that will make a impression on them for the rest of their lives?
• What choices am I making that will open up doors of great opportunity for my tomorrows?
• What do I want my life to look like in 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years and what am I doing now to make that a reality?
• And most importantly, how does my life more closely reflect the image of Christ with each new day?

Those are the questions that will shape my thinking this next year.  The answers to those questions will shape my response to that perspective.  I want this year to be great and I want to make much of who God is and what He’s doing through me.

So here’s to turning one year older, it’s going to be an awesome 26th year.

Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting made by Mom and my youngest sister, Jillian.