Quarantined Birthday

Today marks my 31st birthday and it's safe to say that we are certainly navigating the most bizarre days of my life. We're still in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and things are just...so weird right now (to say the least). Although a lot has happened in the last year of my life, The Lord has been good through and through. Today, I am choosing to reflect on His goodness and the mercies & grace that He has given me throughout this last year. 

Here are some of the good things that have happened since my last birthday:

 I started my 8th year of teaching

I saw some fun shows (Cats, Fiddler on the Roof, Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Cats again, 

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical)

I met Temple Grandin 

I received my Master's Degree in Emotional & Behavioral Disorders

I celebrated my 6th Anniversary with the sweetest man

All of the extended family was able to get together for Christmas (it was the first time in years we were all able to be together & it ended up being our last Christmas with our Nana--it was a sweet gift to all be together)

Sweet, baby James was born

Jason passed his National Boards and became a National Board Certified Teacher

Baby Ivy Lynne was born

I participated in my first ever drive-by wedding parade, baby shower, & birthday celebration

I completed my 8th year of teaching, even though it was virtual and really, really different

I got to babysit my nephew every day for 9 weeks and it was the sweetest time getting to know him and see him grown and change

Hosted a drive-by shower for Bennett, who will be here any day now!

When I list it all out like that, I see in the most tangible ways how The Lord's goodness can not be overshadowed by these crazy times we're in. Yeah, year 31 is starting off a bit strange but, I am holding fast to the truth that The Lord is faithful and that He loves & cares for His children. 

One of my favorite books is "Every Moment Holy". It's a book full of liturgies for every day happenings. The point of the book is to point you back to Christ, in all moments. We read the birthday one this morning and it was too good not to share. 

A Liturgy for the Marking of Birthdays

by: Douglas Kaine McKelvey

"How marvelous it is, O Lord, that you contemplated 

each of us before we were made! 

How marvelous that you considered and created us, 

decreeing the very time and place that each of us should enter the world, 

to live out our own part in your grand story. 

And so we celebrate today the first appearance of (Ellen) in the epic tale of redemption. 

We gather to celebrate, and to give thanks that their life and days are woven with ours, 

that we might share the joys and burdens of life together, 

delighting in the ways your glory is reflected in the unrepeatable gift of their being. 

You have created each of us, O Lord, to bear your image in unique expression, 

reflecting a facet of your glory in a way that no other person in all of history will, 

so that by knowing one another we might also know you better. 

And so we celebrate and honor your image, O God, 

uniquely reflected in the life and in the personhood of (Ellen).  

Bless this your child in the year to come. 

May they know the comfort of your presence, 

the certainty of your purpose, 

and the consolation of your love at work in their life. 

Grant then wisdom, maturity, vision, 

and passion in increasing measure, 

that they might be an instrument well-honed for the building of your kingdom. 

Bless them with loving family and enduring friendships, 

that they might make their journey ever surrounded 

by the steadying companionship of fellow pilgrims. 

May they invest their moments well in the coming year and in all years to follow, 

loving life always with the end in view, in pursuit of that eternal prize 

that will allow them to look ever with gladness and 

never with regret upon the passing of their years, 

as each subsequent birthday will be but the marking of 

a step nearer to the final fulfillment 

of all they have so long hoped and labored for. 

Amen.”

Each year, I remind myself about how one of my cousins shared that their Mom sends them the Psalm that correlates with their age each birthday and that stuck with me. Since then, I've taken the time to read mine each birthday. So I'll end with this:

Psalm 31

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;

    let me never be put to shame;

    in your righteousness deliver me!

Incline your ear to me;

    rescue me speedily!

Be a rock of refuge for me,

    a strong fortress to save me!

 For you are my rock and my fortress;

    and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;

 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,

    for you are my refuge.

 Into your hand I commit my spirit;

    you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,

    but I trust in the Lord.

 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,

    because you have seen my affliction;

    you have known the distress of my soul,

 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;

    you have set my feet in a broad place.

 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;

    my eye is wasted from grief;

    my soul and my body also.

 For my life is spent with sorrow,

    and my years with sighing;

my strength fails because of my iniquity,

    and my bones waste away.

 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,

    especially to my neighbors,

and an object of dread to my acquaintances;

    those who see me in the street flee from me.

 I have been forgotten like one who is dead;

    I have become like a broken vessel.

 For I hear the whispering of many—

    terror on every side!—

as they scheme together against me,

    as they plot to take my life.

 But I trust in you, O Lord;

    I say, “You are my God.”

 My times are in your hand;

    rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

Make your face shine on your servant;

    save me in your steadfast love!

O Lord, let me not be put to shame,

    for I call upon you;

let the wicked be put to shame;

    let them go silently to Sheol.

 Let the lying lips be mute,

    which speak insolently against the righteous

    in pride and contempt.

 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,

    which you have stored up for those who fear you

and worked for those who take refuge in you,

    in the sight of the children of mankind!

 In the cover of your presence you hide them

    from the plots of men;

you store them in your shelter

    from the strife of tongues.

 Blessed be the Lord,

    for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me

    when I was in a besieged city.

 I had said in my alarm,

    “I am cut off from your sight.”

But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy

    when I cried to you for help.

 Love the Lord, all you his saints!

    The Lord preserves the faithful

    but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

    all you who wait for the Lord!

Some of the highlights from this quarantined birthday weekend:

 Spice Avenue deliciousness in the comfort of our home

 My sweet Mom & Dad driving by and dropping off these beautiful (and favorite) flowers and a precious card with the sweetest words. 

Mr. Harry & Mrs. Maxine doing a drive-by drop off for my annual birthday cookies and a much over due outside visit with them. 

A birthday phone call with some sweet church members singing "Happy Birthday" 

The sweetest texts, phone calls, FaceTimes, and videos (like the one above that melted my heart) from family & friends. 

Needless to say, it has been a sweet & relaxing day--thank you all for thinking of me & taking the time to send me birthday wishes today--made my day!