birthday thoughts

as of today

I have drawn breath on this earth

for fifty-seven years

for the first forty-three of those years

I did not acknowledged the Lord's presence

I admit to often wondering 

how different the years could have been

if my eyes had been open

what blessings did I forfeit?

yet I am saying no to regret

knowing that all the while

I did not walk with Jesus

He still walked right beside me

I never was, and never will be

out of His sight

He knew me

shaped me

chose me

as His beloved

for that and more

I am ever thankful

I will rejoice

and in the stillness of this moment

listen as He sings a happy birthday song to me

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
    Before you were born I set you apart
Jeremiah 1:5a NLT

 

Birthday word

This is the gift my Father spoke into my heart this morning:

I know things you will never know

things you will never understand

I, yes I alone have brought you to this day

Happy birthday, child.

Choose life.  Choose joy.

Choose to trust that My plans are indeed good plans.

Your grateful heart is a gift to Me.

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. Jeremiah 29:11-13 The Message

This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24 NKJV

Birthday word

I took my hot coffee to what I call my "Jesus chair" with anticipation this morning, opening my journal to wait for what He would share with me, on this my fifty-fifth birthday.  I knew that I would be receiving words of blessings from friends near and far, but I wanted to receive His words first.

Fifty-five years have you wandered in this world, child, and none of them out of My sight.  When you did not know Me, I knew you, watched you, waited for you.

My Father formed you to belong to Me and what a blessed homecoming it was when you turned and saw Me at last and I was free to gather you in.

It was then, little one, that I imparted My heart in you.  A heart that bled and still bleeds for those who are lost.

I have given you eyes to see pain - take it as a gift to be used for My glory.

There will yet be a greater scattering, and your heart will break with mine.

But, We will gather.  This is what you were created for, to love Me, know Me, speak of Me and love as I love.

Fifty-five years are but a flash when eternity waits.  Take these moments.  Love well.

On this, your birthday, I and My Father and My Spirit agree as One:

"This is good.  Yes, good indeed."

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.
Genesis 1:31a NKJV