It's my Birthday, Where's My Cake?

It’s my birthday and I’m celebrating! 

When I was 12, I wanted to be 14. When I was 14, I wanted to be 16. When I was 16, I couldn’t wait to be 18 and when I was 18, it felt like an eternity to reach 21 but that’s when I gave my head a shake. Why long for something I could not be? Why not take full advantage of what life has for me, whatever age I am and so from that point on, I have loved every age and season I’ve had the joy of living.

Honestly, sometimes I am dumbfounded by how incredible my life is. Sure, I’ve had trouble (who hasn’t?) but I love life, especially mine. Often I am asked if I ever have a bad day. Of course but my life is so abundant, how can I stay down for long?

Some of my best reasons for celebrating my birthday:

1. People – “If you have two friends in your lifetime, you’re lucky. If you have one good friend, you’re more than lucky.” ~S.E. Hinton
   
   If that’s true, I’m beyond lucky because I have many amazing friends, good friends. Over the years, many friends have come and gone but I have several friends that have stood the test of time. Some of my bestest friends have a history of more than 20 years and some are new friends within the last few years but all of them have something in common: they spur me on to reach for more – more of life and more of God.
   
   I know I'm awesome but it’s easy to be awesome when I have incredible people around me, pulling it out of me.
   
2. Family – Yes, I know family are also people but family gets special mention. They are the ones who see my bad moments and love me anyway. It took many years to understand the rich inheritance of my Mennonite heritage but I treasure my family as far back as I can pray and honour the breakthrough they received for me to live my best life.
    
3. iPhone – Frivolous, I know but I love my iPhone. I never cease to be amazed by technology even though I’m not very good at it.
    
4. Cloverdale Christian Fellowship – I love my church. I visited the church 2 summers ago but it took another year before I started attending regularly. I love worship, I love freedom and I especially love the flow of the Spirit. On occasions when I haven’t gone to my church on Sunday, I really miss it. Sundays are always a highlight for my week.
    
5. Food – I love eating food, but I love even more making food for others. My love language is food. It’s the best when food and people are together around my dining table. Over the years, I’ve hosted crazy amounts of people for dinner, parties or small gatherings. I’ve fed new friends, old friends, politicians, celebrities and strangers. Recently my family made a switch to gluten, dairy & sugar-free foods. I love the challenge to try new things and discover new favourites.
    
6. Writing – Actually, it could be any creative outlet, but writing has been my latest obsession. It’s a challenge and a privilege to write consistently for more than a year and it’s exciting that people read it. I live my life in the open, and I’m comfortable being the centre of attention but I also know there are a million writers and blogs to fill your time so I’m grateful for the people who share my life with me.
    
7. Invitation to know God – Everything in my life is meaningless if I didn’t have a foundation built on a relationship with God – the Father, Son & Spirit. Everything, and I mean everything, begins and ends with God; without Him, I would have no enjoyment because he is my source of joy. The greatest mystery is how God chooses to be in a relationship with me – a nothing, a nobody. I wasn’t even nice before, but he does want a relationship with me and I don’t question it but I revel in each moment to experience life through his eyes, seeing and feeling with his heart. If I have one birthday wish, it would be to know him more.

My life is full and keeps getting better. I’m celebrating today, not because I turned a year older but because I have so many reasons to celebrate. Thank you for celebrating with me.