I turned 29 yesterday

Every year this happens: I get older.

Every year I take the time to reflect upon who I am, and where I've come to. I am older, I recognize, and the collection of experiences expands like books upon a shelf. Am I wiser? Perhaps only by the grace of God. Can I say that I am pleased with where I am? I never usually can. Are there joys? Certainly.

One thing age does tell a person is who they are. After years of being me I've discovered my patterns. There are types of literature I tend to gravitate towards again and again. There are interests that I haven't shaken. There are situations that I can't seem to handle any better than I could ten years ago. There are things I still love after all these years. Same handwriting.

With age comes a settling, and a focus. I think when we're starting out we test who we are, who we can be. We try to pursue strange interests, try to be like other people. We try on personalities like coats until we find the one whose sleeves fit just right, whose buttons we think are totally cool, whose color works, whose collar is just right turned up or down.

I'm discovering who I am by being who I am, and becoming who I am. And I see that God fashioned me in a particular way. He purposed the mold for me, for a reason. As strange as it is to be ourselves sometimes, this is who we are, and will always be. Same interests, same tunes, same likes, all unique to ourselves. Passions that won't quit. Same struggles to continuously master. Quirks that make us who we are.

Getting older then must mean getting more comfortable. Coming to know what it means to be me.