(Fair warning I havn't really had time to edit this) 

Something has changed, I feel different.

Maybe it’s the new medication my doctor has me on, maybe it’s the fact that I just attended a wedding of an old friend of mine, or maybe it’s the fact that my dog actually let me pet her of recently. But Either way, I feel different. I feel older. I’m not sure I feel like a child anymore.

Earlier today, when I was in the shower praying, that’s where I do a lot of my praying, and singing, and crying, I thought I heard the Lord tell me something. Now, I don’t like to put words in the Lord’s mouth, so take this with a grain of salt, but I think he said something like, “You’re a man now. This is where your adult life starts. Your priorities and outlook and desires will change. But don’t forget to have a heart. Don’t lose your sense of fun and wonder.”

So I responded, either out of an award winning ego or some brief moment of incredible humility, I’m not sure which, “Lord, may my countenance be that of an adult, but may my heart be that of a child.”

And I think he smiled.

I had a conversation with my girlfriend the other day, and she told me how she realized recently that she doesn’t want to be a kid anymore. She was surprised at that. She said that yes, being an adult is hard, but it is also a lot of fun.

I think I see now, at least to some extent, what she was saying.

I loved my childhood; I wouldn’t trade it for the world. In fact, to paraphrase the Roman Emperor Markus Araeleus, I am glad I prolonged my childhood as long as I did, because there are many lessons I learned from it, but I am glad too, that I have stepped into the realm of adulthood.

So, I’m happy I am where I am. I have a lot of challenges ahead, but I don’t face them alone, I have family, and friends, but I also a creator who knows just what I’m ready for, and when. Thank God, I don’t go it alone.