20’s PURGATORY (My Middle Mess)

For all the 20 somethings and 30 somethings…

who are caught up in the “Middle Of It” as Lainey Wilson would sing, is it just me who feels like we might never figure it out? By “it” I mean life and love and career of course. I mean I think that we're getting somewhere but somewhere is just a little bit closer to the middle of it. At least for me. It’s interesting because the grass is always greener on the other side but everyone else’s problems feel like better problems than mine until I guess I reach that point where my problems are near the same as theirs and then I start wishing I was back in the other middle of it I’m in right now. When the grass is always greener it makes me love the dirt. Because dirt can’t be dirtier, and that’s the part we all have to deal with if we want green grass. 

Here’s a list of things that put me in the “middle”

1. I’m “just friends” with the man I love 

2. I started a business almost 5 months ago but I’m not making a profit yet

3. I’m trying to stay fit and eat right but I often don’t know if I’m doing it right

4. I live in the same home I grew up in (and I get picked on because of it)

5. I don’t want to sleep around, I just want to be in love and start a garden

6. I need to pray more and trust God more 

7. I spend more time looking at art than creating it

I think the list could go on forever but since 7 is a holy number maybe God will honor my “middle mess” with some kind of an “ah ha!” moment… TBD 

Afterthought: I was reflecting on my choice of the word “purgatory” and thought that maybe it was not the right word for where I’m at considering it has to do with heaven and hell, but then I thought that it’s actually the perfect word. Here’s why… I re-gave my life to Christ exactly 2 years ago now and I just got Baptized in September. And while I believe wholeheartedly that my sins are forgiven and I am a new person in Christ, I still struggle with the consequences of the decisions that I made while I was living in sin. So in a way, my “20’s Purgatory” is me being exactly where God wants me while I purge myself of the old habits that used to rule my life. God never wastes a moment of our life. Every season He has us in is intentional and meaningful for His greater plan.

A challenge to my reader:

Make a list of 7 things that make you feel stuck and share them with a trusted friend or mentor. I promise you’re not alone and someone will have wisdom and encouragement for you.

or… at least they might sit with ya and say, “Me Too” ;)