26 Down, Nothing to Show

I turned 26 yesterday. I’ve been struggling with it honestly. Im 26 and I feel like I should be in a completely different place in my life. I’m not married, no kids. I feel like I’m behind. According to my family history, I should be married now, for at least 5 years and I should have two kids in a small house I’ve bought. Instead I am 26, dating someone and I live in an apartment that I rent, with my dog, Alfred. Most of my friends are married, some of them already have kids. I feel late to the party. But why? In life, we put these expectations on ourselves. We find ourselves comparing who we are to who others are. Our timeline doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. I was engaged. I was very close to being married. Everyday, I’m so thankful I wasn’t because he wasn’t the right man. We wouldn’t have been happy, and I wouldn’t have been able to serve in ministry like I can. God protected me from my own timeline. God protected me from jumping the gun. Realistically, my life is actually pretty great. I have a job I love. A boyfriend who is pretty awesome and is so sweet to me. A dog who is a pain in the neck but I love him just the same. Eventually, I will be married. Eventually I will have kids. But if I get so caught up in what I’m not now, I miss the blessings of what I am. Because of my currently life, I am more free to dedicate more to ministry. I can attend my kiddos games or dance recitals. I am more free to do my job well. I am grateful for 26, even if it isn’t what I expected.