One Year Older

Yesterday was my birthday… and I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve ever had a happier birthday in my life. It’s funny; I think every birthday I have overwhelmingly surpasses the one the year before… and I just feel so blessed. I almost feel like it isn't fair - I always have AMAZING birthdays and I just don't know that anyone else's can feel so special. Through this particular birthday, I felt incredibly blessed as I saw the character of God everywhere I turned. The past few days have been filled with nothing less than surprises and affirmations. My friends and family just kept popping up with wonderful surprises and meaningful gifts – they spent massive time in planning things, told me how blessed they were by me, bought me giraffes, squished 7 college kids in one car (shh) to join a surprise party, put aside sleep, brought me raspberries at 8:08 in the morning, decorated my room with streamers, figured out my favorite snacks… the list goes on! On top of that, I felt like everywhere I turned I was receiving affirmation, whether from friends, family, or even teachers, of who I am in Christ. It was as if they had been enlisted by God to confirm that I am the daughter/princess/bride of Christ, that I need nothing to complete me, and that my identity is found completely in Him. Not only did they clearly see it, but they felt compelled to tell me. First of all, I can’t believe they all did so much for me; they are so kind! Secondly, they continually showed me the character of God. God created me, loves me with an overwhelming love, rescued me from eternal debt, chooses to see me as holy, pure, and beautiful, accepts me as His very own daughter, dares to recognize me… and for what? I can’t return what He has done for me and I can never add or subtract from who He is. He has done all this that I might rejoice and be happy/fulfilled in Him… just as my friends have shown me. They had no reason to show me such love and kindness, except that I might have a blessed day (and I certainly did!). I offer my deepest gratitude to you all. Thank you!

I am SO blessed by God and by the people He has surrounded me with. I am blessed not because of who I am, but because of who He is… which He incessantly shows me through what He does for me. I cannot thank Him enough. But I can rejoice in Him. I can rejoice on my happy birthday, but more than that, I can rejoice in Him every day. I will rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!