BIRTHDAY MEMORIES

Birthday memories, aren’t they wonderful? To remember the passing of the sweetest days of our lives is a good thing. Perhaps you have noticed something about me as a person. I’m constantly pondering the concept of time. It is fascinating to me that we have been given such a gift from God. A time I cherish is filled with birthday memories.

Time passes so swiftly. Maybe that is why I like to take a photo of myself every birthday, just something to remind me of where I stand at this particular moment of my life. This was a day full of birthday memories. It seems good to have something to look back on years later for remembering the moments.

SEASONS OF BIRTHDAY MEMORIES

This season of Elul, which always happens to collide with my birthday, is not just about preparing for the future. It is also about looking back over the past. Every past year carries special birthday memories. Some stand out as special. Each passing year is about examining and pondering the way we have lived out life so far.

This is something I love to do. I’ve been called the recorder of our family history. I have several photos of all of our days. I keep them to remind me of how blesssed life can be. When troubles come along I pull them out and soon I’m smiling again. My heart is always full and grateful, no matter the circumstances. It is this beautiful collection of the moments of the past that have led me to where I am today.

In this year’s birthday photo I feel as if I’m standing in the place of realizing there are always going to be more new beginnings, no matter what age we might be. God is continuously making all things new. I’ve finally learned old age isn’t about endings. It is about fine-tuning and finishing your beginnings.

So, this is the photo for my 71st birthday. I’m standing in front of my mirror like Alice in Wonderland. My mind is thinking there is still so much to do and explore in this world full of amazing possibilities.

Today, as I turn 71, it is with a bucket full of special memories of yesterday. I also own another bucket full of new hopes for tomorrow. It is the mix that gives my life balance.

THE BUCKET OF PAST MEMORIES

These past memories have all been such a blessing in my life. God has been so good to me. My childhood memories are amazing. I was blessed with all the wonder of discovering life in a protective and loving environment. Life on the farm of my youth was full and full of adventures.

The teenaged years were also amazing. I will never forget the memories of first love. I was also blessed with discovering other friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Days were busy with seeking and exploring the plan that God intended for me to follow through life.

However, in those early days nothing felt sure. I strayed for quite a while, experimenting with different thoughts and ideas as teens often do. There were a lot of mistakes, but I learned from each misadventure.

THE RIGHT PATHWAYS

It wasn’t until my late twenties that I became seriously focused on the right pathways. That only happened through suffering from many wrong turns and circumstances I brought upon myself. I definitely strayed from God’s perfect plan. After He forgave me, He showed me the detours which led back up to His highway. I climbed back on the road and kept traveling through life.

As a teen and early adult I was very fickle. This fact makes me all the more grateful for the way God has narrowed my vision and fine-tuned my heart. In these later years He has given me clear focus. Finding His will for my days led me to be a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a teacher in ministry and an inspirational writer. All of these life choices were basically learned the hard way, by taking all the wrong roads first then wandering my way back home again. Its all good though. I wouldn’t trade one moment.

If you haven’t walked through the shadows you can’t really point people out of them. Even the wrong detours I took always led me back home. They brought me back to the place where God had always planned for me to be, no matter how far I wandered away. I am forever grateful for being given these moments of time. From each and every second I’ve gained memories which I will always cherish.

APPRECIATING THE DETOURS

Speaking of taking detours, a good friend of mine (another of my life’s special blessings) wrote a lovely song about that subject. Here is the link if you wish to listen: https://sandiherron.com/blog/unexpected-smiles/. This song gives me word pictures which can bring tears to my eyes. It feels like a great listen for me today as I begin to turn another page.

There are so many things I am thankful for. Memories of a loving family certainly top the list. As an example, yesterday I was greated by two birthday angels who never cease to remember my life’s mile-markers. They sat for hours and listened to my endless chatter on thoughts about basically anything that came to mind as we indulged in our monthly time of worship and prayers for our family.

A DAY FULL OF BLESSINGS

How many of you have adult children who will make a point of coming over once a month to pray with you about all the needs of the family? God has granted me this in my old age. This isn’t to brag or boast, but to declare how thankful I am. It is an amazing blessing which I could never take for granted. What would I do without these local daughters who fill my heart with their selfless presence? Not just these two, but all four of our grown children, their husbands and their children are among my greatest blessings.

Where whould I be without the love of their father who makes every attempt to keep our lives moving in the right directions? His generosity sometimes overwhelms me and takes me by surprise. His desire to make the right decisions for all of us, even in old age, is a constant comfort.

On this particular birthday, his gift of a special music/jewelry box filled my day with delight. The lid of the music box displays the same Edna Hibel print that one daughter and her husband found for me. I’m amazed at how the two of them listened to me as I explained my favorite artist and then coincidentally found her treasures lurking in an auction they attended. Right before my birthday. Was that a God thing? I think so.

The gift of their thoughtful attention to the desires of my heart was as precious as the much desired beautifully framed print they bought and designed for me.

Then as soon as my husband saw how delighted I was, he ordered this special matching jewelry/music box that plays La Bohem. All of this followed by well wishes from all the rest of the family and these things meant so much to me.

A DAY OF SPECIAL SURPRISES

As if their presence isn’t enough, they brought gifts! Thoughtful gifts, things I have mentioned that are valuable and have meaning for my life. I now own a beautifully framed Edna Hibel to hang in the halls of my home. I’ve always loved this artist and the work they picked out is just the painting I would have chosen.

I’m overwhelmed at the thoughtfulness of such gifts. Also, that they take the time to make food to grace our table. They brought a whole dinner including cake. My birthday had not even begun – this was the day before, and I was already overwhelmed with thoughtfulness from those that I loved.

PHONE CALLS, CARDS, LETTERS, MESSAGES

Later the postman brought more amazing gifts from family. The rest of my birthday was filled with sweet phone calls from my Mom and other out of town relatives. One message contained a sweet video of my long-distance grands and their parents singing happy birthday followed by a sweet text from my teenaged grandson. I cherished each one of these messages. My cousin called and we must have talked an hour. My best friend called and we might have talked for over an hour.

GOD IS GOOD

Yes, God is always good to us. Even during the hard times, even in the day-to-day drudge of working and caring for homes and families. There is always another silver-lining. We always have time and energy to enjoy another beautiful sunset. Memories both old and new are precious.

Life is always dishing out more than I deserve. Of course, I am always eagerly heaping up my plate for more. That is just the way God made me to be. He has shown me the abundant life of His Kingdom and it spills over into this world I travel through every day. Perspective is everything. Attitude always matters and love always overcomes anything else.

COMING INTO ANOTHER SEASON

I love this season of “preparing” called Elul. This season begins each year around the time of my birthday. Every August God points backwards and reminds me of all the good memories He has granted. I’m compelled to hold them close and say “Thank You!”

It is good to be like Abraham in the scriptures, to come to the last parts of your days and stand before God with no regrets, totally forgiven and unafraid, anticipating a future beyond what is known.

KNOWING THE SOURCE

I love how old age brings us closer and closer to trusting and leaning on Yeshua for every ounce of joy and hope. He always provides. In the small things and the large things, the blessings are always there. The way is not always clear, but the path wanders and winds to all the right places, simply because He is leading and guiding all the way.

With all of this remembering and feeling apprecitive, I can’t forget the blessing of the readers of this blog. I am thinking of all the readers of my books as well. When I count up my treasures from year-to-year, you are always on the list. I only hope that my writing blesses you and helps add a little bit of cheer into your days. Thank you for taking the time to read the things God puts on my heart from week to week and month to month.

It is so wonderful to have such faithful friends to walk along side of in this journey through time.

Blessings,

From the Birthday Girl