About Birthdays
This past weekend I celebrated my 32nd birthday. As I reflect on all the simple but delightful things that marked this weekend, there is one word that sums up what it was all about, and in fact how I want to live my life. That word is present. Not presents (though everyone loves a thoughtful present and I received some precious ones), but being fully here and alive to what is happening around me.
I think of the quote and idea from Mike Foster and Rescue Academy:
"The vast majority of people are either focused on the past or the future and miss out on the joy of the present. Health comes from a balanced overlap of past, present, and future. Too much focus on one will create dysfunction."
Once circle represents a past focus. Here is where "romantics" spend their time. Once circle represents a future focus. Here is where the "planners" live. And where the two circles overlap is the here and now. The sweet spot. My tendency is towards the past focus. Bob leans heavily towards the future focus. Together we are helping to teach and pull one another towards the middle, to the here and now, to the joy found in the present.
This concept struck me specifically today as I have been reminiscing of the past (the last 32 years), and also looking forward to the future. (The next 32+ years God-willing). And right there in the middle of those thoughts I have been left with joy. And this past weekend was full of joy! From the giggles of my girls to reading a book in the sunshine, a wonderful steak dinner ordered in, and laughter with friends and family; I felt fully present and alive in the middle of it all. And oh what a sweet spot it was. It left me with gratitude.
Gratitude: a quality of being thankful, readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness, thankful for what one has and not constantly seeking more. A grateful attitude.
This is the second word that sums up how I have approached my birthdays the last few years. I have found as I have gotten older (and hopefully wiser) there is a deep desire to use my birthday as an opportunity to show appreciation and kindness towards family and friends. I could be quoted as having said that while I should be celebrated on my daughters birthdays because I birthed them and kept them alive, my birthday should be a celebration for my mom who birthed me and the friends and family that keep me alive! In other words, it is a day for me to show gratitude to those who walk alongside me on this journey of life.
So, this year as I turn 32, let me express my gratitude:
I am grateful for my family: my mom that birthed me, my sisters and brother who were there to watch me grow and care for me, my girls who love me, my husband who treasures me, my “married into” family that has embraced me as their own.
I am grateful for dear friends and the people who speak words of truth and encouragement into my life. The ones that I see often and the ones that live afar but are just as dear. The ones that meet me at playgrounds and the ones that pray across the distance. The friends that see me and cheer me on.
I am grateful for walks in the sunshine after the rain leaves the forest with rain drops bejewelling the leaves and the ferns, washing away the stinky dog smell and leaving the sweet peaty smell of a deep forest.
I am grateful for a clean house, and a house to clean for that matter; for mugs of hot tea or decaf coffee(with cream and sugar of course) a lit candle and a good book; for crunchy leaves beneath my feet and equally crunchy apples.
I am grateful for those things that aid in my growth: podcasts and speakers like Annie F Downs, the exercise bike that pushes me beyond what I thought I was capable of, Duolingo teaching me Chinese, the counselling sessions that push me deeper then is comfortable, and Village Church that continually challenges me to live more fully for God.
But most of all, I am grateful for the steadfast unchanging forever loving-kindness of God and the relationship I have with Him. For His word that is like a breath of fresh air each day, for His grace that meets me in my worst moments, for the purpose He has given to my life and calling. The following are lyrics from a song in my “Current favs” playlist on Spotify. They sum exactly my prayer of gratitude to God:
"All my life You have been faithful.
All my life You have been so so good.
With every breath that I am able
Oh I will sing of the goodness of God."
Goodness of God by Bethel Music
Past. He has been faithful. Future. He will be faithful. Present. He is faithful.
And while I type this reflection out in response to another year around the sun, what I want to be true in my life is that I live this out year round. Practicing presence. A heart of gratitude. Living and loving in the sweet spot. And singing of the goodness of God.
PS. Thank you for all the messages and birthday wishes and kind words. I truly treasured each one this weekend.
PPS. Having a posture of gratitude doesn’t mean life is always sunshine and I block out the hard things. Sometimes the rains come, and when they do, I’ll talk about it here too. If you are currently in a rainy season, I ache with you. Please let us know how we can pray for you.
PPS. What are you grateful for?