Birthday!

"So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth." Hosea 6:3

Another year. That one’s done, gone, over, finished. Good times, bad times, lessons learned, greatness, not-so-greatness, illness, sadness, happiness, endings, beginnings, growth, love, tears, smiles, hugs, kisses, LAUGHS, prayer, music, messes, sweetness, work, patience, IMpatience, pictures, faith, trust, worry, friendship, MORE music, questions, answers, dreams, hurts, plans, devotions, bills, strength, weakness, history, family, fights, forgiveness, apologies, books, time, fruit, confession, renewal, clarity, HOPE….

Having a birthday in the spring provides a perspective of a year being over, but a new one beginning. As the world around me awakens from it’s long, hard winter slumber, I am reminded that another year of my life has come to a close, and a new one is dawning. I do not feel depressed because the number of years is yet one more, but I feel hope and anticipation. The sun begins to shine, flowers are blooming, grass is growing and green, trees are budding, weather is warming. All this new birth and renewal of life, a new season, helps to keep me in a healthy perspective of growing a year older. The number of my age is just a number, I thank the Lord for His goodness and the wisdom He nurtures in me as each year passes.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

So, as this, my 32^nd birthday comes to a close, I praise my Lord for His blessings. I praise Him for the undeserved life He has given me. I praise Him for His majesty and greatness. I praise Him for the past year of trials and joys – and for the coming year of what He, in His providence, has in store for me and for my family. Whatever is coming I rest in the assurance of my Father’s grace and mercy. His promises endure the ages and His love transcends all.

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day."  2 Cor 4:15-17