Having the Wind Knocked Out of Me

I remember a time in the not so distant past, a time when 30 loomed far more distantly than it does now, when problems like cancer, divorce, death of loved ones and people in general, marital problems, financial problems, etc. happened to my parents friends and people far older than me.

As I get closer to thirty (it is now days away) these problems become closer to me. A friend of mine from high school lost a baby a month after it was born. A friend at GAC who is only two years older than me was diagnosed (and conquered) cancer this year. My nana died of alzheimer's this summer. An eighth grader that Brad taught last year was killed in a car accident this summer. And last night, I learned that a friend of mine, a best friend, found out that her husband has been unfaithful and has kicked him out of the house.

Part of being an adult of nearly 30 is responding when these problems arise, yet another part of being almost 30 is not having enough experience to know what my response should be. Luckily, this is where the positives of growing up a part of a church community come in. I have watched the adults around me serve each other in various ways all of my life. Now, it has become painfully obvious that it has become my time to serve.

Man, this adult business is serious stuff. I guess growing up is about more than wrinkle cream, Weight Watchers, and sensible shoes. I guess it is about getting up after the wind has been knocked out of you and helping those around you get up.