I woke up to the sound of Isaac beside me in bed..."Mommy...It's YOUR birthday now. When's the party?"
I smiled with my eyes closed and then remembered...it WAS my birthday. I paused, letting my brain adjust to the time and day. Yesterday had been Isaac's 7th birthday, and I had spent the day sleeping or in the bathroom fighting a miserable stomach bug. I remembered crying as my husband packed up our gifts and Isaac to go and celebrate Christmas with the Hladky side of the family (Ethan, who also had the bug the night before was better but stayed to help me). I was missing out on so much. This wasn't how I had planned it to be! Stopping for another second, this time in the present, I realized my headache was gone...my upset stomach wasn't rumbling anymore...I took a deep breath, holding it for another second to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Exhaling to find I was most certainly awake, I opened my eyes. I had a new day to be thankful for.
Still moving a bit slower than usual, I began inspecting all the things I hadn't been able to do: a laundry basket full of clean clothes sat in the corner of the bedroom...dishes were piled in the sink...toys and gifts were scattered precariously throughout the hall, kitchen, and living room, and I looked like a freight train hit my face. I began quietly searching my heart to think of those who are struggling with health issues of their own...loss...pain...loneliness...despair. It was overwhelming and I didn't know where to start...
So, I had to stop. Focus. Just take a deep breath, and recall all the things that had already been done for me and for those I have heavy on my heart.
Grace...mercy...strength in time of need...wisdom...healing...because of Jesus. Because of the one whose birth we just celebrated a few days ago...
The best birthday gifts are the ones that have already been open, just sitting unnoticed daily in the corners of our hearts. We just need to take a minute to count them, soak them in, and walk with the purpose we have been promised. Sometimes we will stumble. Sometimes we will run and soar. Other times we will have to wait. No matter what, we keep moving and in due time, we will arrive.
On this birthday, I am reminded of Romans 8:38...
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to seperate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Hope. It really is the greatest gift.
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| Happy birthday, with hope... |
