anomoly

I am nearing the finish line for my last official Master's class. This last class has been really really enjoyable. One of the ongoing projects of the term has been working on a Developmental Autobiography. Some of the material we've been asked to explore, research and write about our own lives has been absolutely incredible to look at. Tonight I just spend over an hour speed typing on "emerging adulthood" (age 18-25). I had to laugh as two of the topics we were asked to discuss were sex and alcohol. I began my discussion by comically, but honestly, stating that (prior to the day of my wedding) these two things could be summed in this period of my development up by one word: abstinence.

I chucked as I wrote about not actually having my first drink until I was 21 and one month (I say that not at all self righteously, please don't get me wrong). I turned 21 a couple of weeks before graduating from Northwestern. I didn't have the heart that close to graduation to break the lifestyle commitment that I had made as a student not to consume alchohol (among other things. . . some of you know my conscience didn't have quite as big of a problem with going swing dancing a couple of times ---- and now those liberal Northwestern kids go swing danging all the time. The fun starts after I leave. I had to go do it by myself under the radar. . . Sad). I DIGRESS.

I also wrote about how waiting to have sex until I was married, while a cultural faux pas (not so much at Northwestern bubble but certainly in the rest of the non-Evangelical world), was one of THE BEST CHOICES that I have ever made in my life. ***Again, this is not at all self-righetous either as Philip and I know that it was only by the grace of the God we committed ourselves to that we had/have the precious gift that we do.***

Yet again, Joy the anomoly. I spent some time reflecting how this has actually become the norm in my life as of late. I suppose it always has. As a believer I've always been a stranger in this world, but I'm constantly reminded of it within the context that I currenly exist. . .

I don't fit many molds these days. Military wife mold? nope (a bit too career/education focused or disillusioned that I can have those things as a military spouse when we have to move every 3 years, not having kids yet). Conservative Christian wife mold? nope (not having babies, not wanting to have babies right now, too focused on school/work) The career woman mold? Nope. (Adamant that I want to stay home full time when I have children and will always give precedence to my husband's career over mine *gasp* Traditional roles? Racy, I know.) Emerging adulthood mold? nope again. (no binge drinking as a college rite of passage or having multiple sexual partners over the span of the last 7 years)

I don't feel bad. Not an ounce. Nor would I have life any other way.

All I can do is laugh. And rejoice with gratefulness to the One who gives me the Hope I profess.