Moving on Up

I've determined to move on up -- up out of the grumbling and complaining about the stuff that matters so little. Yes, I am moving on up in age -- but really age is just a number. Yikes! Where did the years go?

First, thank you for all the kind and loving words and messages that I received yesterday. You encouraged me and made my birthday brighter and sweeter!   I’m grateful to every one of you.

Now, let me share how important it is to be our own encouragers.  That’s the way I started yesterday – my birth-day!   Truth is I encouraged ME -- so much so that I had balloons blown up and then I served up my homemade banana nut bread, plus a fruit tray and celebrated ME with my Mahjongg group.

You read that right! I gave myself my own birthday party! Why not? Why wait for someone else to give us a party? Why not celebrate ourselves?  After all we are who we know the best! And it felt so good to GIVE to others.  God’s Word says in Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive!” 

Oh, speaking of celebrating -- Carl had a big birthday chocolate cake made to share at our weekly house prayer and praise group – for me and another friend who shared our birthdays together!  How sweet it was – with friends who enjoyed it with us!  That’s what I call “living well”!

Speaking of “living well” -- here’s my “living well” list for my next lap around the sun:
• I will stop wasting time on the stupid stuff and focus on the giving and loving stuff!

• I will quit worrying so much. I am casting my cares on THE ONE Who can handle them for me!

• I will be kinder – to my friends, my neighbors, and my loved ones.  Kindness is like boomerangs — that have a way of coming back.

• I will continue to increase my heart capacity.  Life’s too short not to open our hearts to love, welcome friendships, and fresh connections.

What I know after circling the sun for so many years – is forever here is shorter than it used to be. But that doesn’t make life smaller — it makes it sweeter. Each day feels like a gift: health, laughter, family, and you.

So yes, I’m moving on up to a life rooted in gratitude and joy. Jesus said in John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”

That’s the kind of life I want to live, starting now.

Thanks for the birthday love. Here’s to you and me living life to the full!