“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”—2 Timothy 1:7
It’s my birthday this week! I have more years behind me than I do ahead. I’m at a place in life where I’m free to do anything I want and go wherever I please. But, as with life, there is a push and pull, a beauty and an ugliness, life and death.
This stage of my life brings the precious birth of my grandbabies. Those babies are the joy of my heart! The weight of raising a family is behind me, and now I get all the fun without the burden of discipline. It’s such a beautiful place to be!
Yet, death announcements for classmates, friends, and family members are more frequent than ever before. In a little over a year, I’ve buried my husband, my mother, my precious fur-baby Zoey, and one of my sweet sisters-in-law was laid to rest. It seems way too early for these things, but they arrive nonetheless. As time moves onward, I can’t help but look at my life through the lens of those who are no longer with me.
It’s not lost on me that every day is a gift to open, discover, treasure, and appreciate.
Have I lived my best life? And what does best really mean? Best as in I’ve experienced more than my parents? Best as in I’ve achieved all my goals and dreams? Best as in I’ve fulfilled all that God called me to do? But since we never know when our last breath will be, do we ever reach a final destination when it comes to goals, dreams, and the call God has on our lives?
We are given breath, a heartbeat, consciousness, and the gift of choice. Our lives are important to the Kingdom calendar. We have contributions to make and talents to use, but none of that means anything if we haven’t discovered the number-one reason we were given life. And that is to know, experience, and enjoy the presence of God. That intimate exchange is accessible through His Son, Jesus Christ.
In my 25+ years of walking with God, I have found Him to be the God of many things. I especially love that He is the God of adventure. He delivers things I never thought to ask for. Instead of overwhelming me with His goal for me, He’s kind as He purposefully unfolds the beauty of His plan little by little. He loves a great mystery and draws me close to talk with Him about things that are confusing to me. He shares His heart with me.
I have made a decision to embrace each birthday because ultimately, I can either stay current or stay stuck. It’s not as if holding time hostage has any value so I choose to enjoy time as it passes. Receiving the good, embracing joy, finding happiness in all that I can, and celebrate accomplishments. I’m stressed over misunderstandings, cry at failures, disappointed at my faults and forever changed by death.
Life is more complicated than I imagined, yet it is so much more beautiful than I ever thought.
I’ve been talking to God about what I want from Him for my birthday. (After all, good daddies give their daughters birthday presents, and He’s the most generous Daddy ever!) This year I’ve requested of Him 2 Timothy 1:7. I read the words. I believe the words, but I want to put them on, wear them, walk confidently in them. I want them to be alive in and on me, woven into the fabric of my conscious and my unconscious mind as well as my thought life, my attitude, my words, and my life in general. Every day, all day.
I talk with God all the time. I request things on a daily basis, and I give Him praise and thanks throughout the day. Some things He delivers, other things He challenges me on the motive behind my request versus my actual need. I’ve learned so much about His value system, His heart, and what love really looks like.
I do not doubt that He will deliver, but the surprise will be how He delivers. Will it be spontaneous in a supernatural way, or will it be a process where I get to discover something new over and over? God is unique in how He interacts with us. He knows each of us as the individuals He created us to be, so I can’t put God in a box. But I do know the delivery will be in line with His nature and His character as revealed in His Word.
My anticipation grows as my birthday approaches. He will show up, and I just love when He shows off! He has such excitement to share with His children—to love on us, give us good things, and to dance and sing over us. No one celebrates your birthday the way He does. He alone knitted you together with His own hands and chose the day, time, and year with purpose and forethought before the foundations of the world were laid.
You, my sweet woman, are the joy of God’s heart! He longs to lavish His love on you. Draw close to Him, talk to your Daddy about what you want for your birthday. He’ll blow your mind as He reveals His heart for you! xoxo
NOW LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
Self-Reflection
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take the truths you discover about yourself and hold them up to the Light to evaluate them against who God says you are.
Do you talk with God? All day? Set times?
Do you listen to God? Have you learned His voice/leading?
Have you ever asked God for a birthday present? If so, what was it? How did He respond?
List some of the beautiful things in your life? Take the time to thank God.
What are some of the painful things in your life? Take the time to talk with God about your pain.
List a few things you’ve discovered about the heart of God for you.
List three of God’s characteristics.
Based on those three characteristics, what does that say about who you are to Him? (For example, if you said God is loving, then you are lovable and loved by God.)
Take Action
Use God’s word to take control over the traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises in His word.
Here is a scripture for you to print, cut and carry with you and/or post in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”—2 Timothy 1:7
When you read God’s word say to yourself: Because of who God is, I do not have to be afraid. He has given me His spirit of power, love, a sound mind, and self-discipline. I do not need to be afraid. I am confident because God lives inside me.
