Birthdays Really Matter

I’m heading back home today after several days of celebrating my son’s birthday with his entire family. How precious for me to be able to be there for all the festivities and moments of sheer awesomeness. And, what a joy for me to be able to hang with the older kids because our sleeping arrangements were in a beautiful 2-bedroom suite overlooking this incredible heaven-on-earth place. I like to think that God gave my kids a heart for including this mama and it sure brings me so much joy.

Our family is BIG on birthdays, and while it may sound child-like to make such a big deal about birthdays, it really shouldn’t, because birthdays mean we made it through another year, and we're still here for a reason. That should be a BIG DEAL to us!

I heard someone say “I’m not having any more birthdays. In fact, I don’t even know how old I am anymore.” And I quickly replied, “Goodness gracious, I'm thrilled to celebrate my birthday. It means I made it through another year." I heard Christine Caine's remarks about birthdays. She said, "The older we get, we downplay having another birthday. We don't want any 'big deals' or ANY attention given to us having another birthday. How silly it is to throw a gigantic, blow-out of a birthday for a one-year old. What has a one year old done to deserve that birthday? Those who have been here for half a century and more are the ones to be celebrated. For goodness sakes, every year that we're still here, we deserve fireworks, celebrations, recognition and tributes..... because we EARNED this birthday and every other birthday! We made it another year."

I remember anticipating my birthdays as a child. As children, we counted down, waited and planned for our birthdays. We wanted special themes: Princess, Super Heroes, Fishing & Hunting, Football, Basketball, etc. We treasured the people who made our birthdays special, the grandmother (me) who created a treasure hunt trail of rhyming notes that led to the grand finale – supremo birthday gift. We were stoked that our friends came bearing gifts and shared our yummy cake, and we loved making a wish and blowing out the candles with just one huge breath.

Let’s be clear – it’s not as much about the presents, as it is of the PRESENCE of those who love us and make us feel…..”I am special”. Here’s the real crux of the matter: No matter who you are or whether or not you had an ideal family life, you always were and always will be a treasure, and on your birthday, you get to rock that truth.

Birthdays say, “You’re special!” That’s what we do with the red “special plate” for the birthday guy or girl and we take turning sharing why they are special to us. Birthdays say, “Hey, you, you’re great! I’m so glad you’re in my life.” And that’s why birthdays are a big deal – because birthdays represent our God-given mission and destiny and every year that we’re here, we get to celebrate our journey.

And with each year.....we have the opportunity to celebrate -- not for just THE day, but EACH day that God gives us. Celebrating it with a merry heart, a glad heart, a thankful heart, a forgiving heart, a heart open to the abundance of God's love and bringing forth fruit, being vigorous and flourishing.

I have a dear friend who doesn't wait for someone to throw her a party. She throws a birthday bash for herself, and she invites us all to join her for her BIG DAY. I love that. She knows she is special to us, so, of course, we celebrate her.

So, today, whether you or 15, 50 or 95.....you are to be celebrated. You're still bearing fruit. You're still here....you're not done!

"THOSE" Kids Today??? Let Hope Arise!

Back in "my day", I was one of "those" kids who was fixated on my TV. I just had to tune into American Bandstand when I'd get home from school. I loved Gilligan's Island, I Dream of Jeannie, The Andy Griffith Show, Hogan's Heroes, Leave it to Beaver. The TV and the telephone were technology's latest!! Remember those phones with cords on them? We had the long cords and if we wanted privacy, we'd use that cord's length to talk from another room. We talked a lot on the telephone -- my boy friend and I spent hours there!

Rather than being thankful for the technology breakthroughs of this century -- cell phones with cameras, texting, social media -- you'll hear folks talk about the horrific things that kids are getting themselves into because of technology. Some folks say "If only we had the good old days when the worst temptation was chewing gum in school." But, I want to tell you.....there are kids today who are breaking the mold of "those" troubled kids. These kids have true hearts for God, for serving, for giving and for making a difference in this world. A couple of weeks ago, I told you about a young woman in my church who is passionate about teaching girls the importance of loving the "beautiful" that God made them to be, so she created a pageant for beauty that comes from within.

Over the last couple of days, I hung out with a group of young people who have hearts for worshipping God, serving in their church, going to the mission field, and STILL they are normal, fun-loving kids who love to be silly, play pranks on each other, and enjoy life. I witnessed it at my granddaughter's birthday party where they were in hyper mode, and then yesterday, Larry and Staci rented a theater where 30+ friends of Alexia were there to surprise her and then watch the newly released move "Hillsong: Let Hope Arise". Hillsong is a phenonomen -- a church that has become world renown because of their Christian contemporary music that has become known and sung worldwide. The movie is a theatrical production of worship and praise.

So this post is to give you good news. Many kids of this day, though they still all love their cell phones and connecting to their friends and the world with their messaging, are kids that are loving God and connecting with Him. Just keep your eyes wide open. There's so much good in this world. Romans 5:20 says, "Where sin abounds; grace much more abounds." I witnessed it first hand over the last couple of days. Rather than looking for the bad and evil, maybe it's time to watch for the grace that is abounding. And, we'll witness it more and more as we pray for this generation and for their hearts to turn to God and His love for them. So, let's Let Hope Arise!

I Breathed a Sign of Relief

Day 355 of Photo Inspirations -- I Breathed a Sigh of Relief
In years past, my Christmas traditions started right after Thanksgiving.  I loved this time of the year so much that  I decorated every bedroom with it's own fully decorated, lit tree.  The inside and outside of the house looked like a Christmas Store.  I had several nativity sets throughout my house....after all -- I wanted Jesus to be prominent amidst all the Santa Clauses and snowmen.  I had a huge village of little houses and ice skating pond, trees, churches (lots of churches).  I made dozens of cookies and candies to share with family and friends.  I handwrote and mailed a flood of Christmas cards with my family's picture on it.  That was a "must do" every year -- getting the family Christmas picture at Thanksgiving.  I purchased way too many gifts.  I spent hours and hours shopping for just the right treasures to give.   Despite my best intentions to make Christ the center of our Christmas, hper mode was my mode of operation for years.

I never felt guilty about the flood of activity and way-too-much-attention to so many details. I loved this time of year so much that I gave it ALL I had.  The family traditions were so dear and precious to me. It was a work-out, but at the end -- we had made so many precious memories, and it was worth every effort.  But, today, my story takes a big turn.   Now I realize -- finding balance is the real key to having a very, merry Christmas.

Being in this "single" phase of life, it's a lot easier to simplify.   And, that's what I did this year. I have been determined to keep the focus on Jesus' birthday.  Yesterday, I made my way to Texas to celebrate with my family here for a few days before heading to my Washington family.  I'm breathing a sigh of relief -- shopping and baking and decorating is all done.   Because I had only 4 hours of sleep the night before, while the kids were at their Christmas program rehearsals, I snuck away to take a little nap.  I'm in that sweet season of life that I get to do that!     All the hustle and bustle has ended, and  now I can lean in to the real sweetness and tenderness of this season.  The principle thing is finding balance and spotlighting the STAR of the story.

If you've been like me -- whether in an utter frenzy-mode to this point, or we have taken a more laid back approach this year -- we can still live a guilt-free Christmas.  We really have nothing to prove to anyone, because we're already approved by Christ.  And, since it's His birthday.....we get to just show up and celebrate Him.  No matter how we decorate the house for His party, it is still ALL ABOUT HIM, Who is ALWAYS the life of the party.   And He has come to give life to all the people at the party.  And, when we lean in even closer, we'll find that the LIFE of the party holds out Himself as the gift that keeps on giving.  And the gift tag?    It has our name on it.  Oh, what a relief it is!
“See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.” ~ Isaiah 49:16

It's Special Plate Day For My Sweetheart

Day 251 of Photo Inspirations -- It's Special Plate Day for My Sweetheart!

Our family has always made big deals of birthdays.  After all, it's the day we made our debut on this earth -- straight from heaven's portals.   So, of course, it's a celebration day.  The day always starts with the birthday decorations and birthday breakfast with the "You Are Special" Birthday Plate.  This is the birthday honoree's SPECIAL DAY, and we each tell them how special they are to us.   Each one conveys tender and heartfelt words of love and appreciation.

I've got the "Special Plate" out today because today's birthday honoree is my Sweetheart, and I ask my friends and family to indulge me once again as I reminisce about the life of this precious man and how special he will always be to me.  

"On this day of celebration, I hope you know how much you are loved, honored, respected, and admired by me and all those who know you.  This is indeed a time of celebrating a man that made his mark on so many lives, the least of whom is ME!    I am more today than I could have ever dreamed possible because of you.....your relentless urging, pushing, prodding, and encouraging me to be all I could be.    You have always made me feel beautiful.  When I didn't believe in myself.....you believed in me!  

I am so thankful for the amazing husband, father, and grandfather that you always were.  You always gave yourself so freely to so many.   I will never forget the precious, caring and giving way you treated my mom.  You always made her feel like a queen.   You were so much more than a son-in-law.    And when I wanted to shut the door so many times to some of the dysfunctional, yet needy members of my family.....you not only opened the door to them, but you fed them and clothed them and tolerated them and gave them truly the Father's love.  You really were a "life enhancer" and a replica of Christ's love.    There are so many adjectives for this man named "Ronald Wuerch" and so many reasons why I celebrate your life and the impact you had on so many.   And I'll try here to name just a few.  I love Ronald because.....

• You could play the piano and sing.....like a virtuoso
• You were an amazing carpenter -- building houses and so much more
• You were an awesome pilot
• You could fix anything -- around the house and in people's lives
• You had so much wisdom and creativity
• You were a great fisherman....of fish....and of people -- leading them to Christ
• You were so giving to those in need

• You were my greatest cheerleader
• You saw the good in everyone and you taught our family the key to our greatest joy and happiness was found in God's Word.
• You led our family in the optimistic, positive faith message that caused ultimate success in each of our lives.
• You were my best friend, lover, confidante, and my hero
• And there's not enough room here to continue with all that you were to me......but one thing's for sure.......you received your ultimate reward by getting to go on the fast track to heaven.  My greatest determination is to be there with you someday and to get to have the ultimate in birthday bashes there!  And, to all my FB friends and family -- YOU ARE ALL INVITED!!!

Oh, and by the way, maybe it's time you and your family have special plate days, too! It is sure a confidence builder to those we love!

Happy Birthday, my Sweetheart! 

A 2+ Ton Birthday Surprise

Day 234 of Photo Inspirations -- A 2+ Ton Birthday Surprise!!
Five years ago today, I and my sweet husband, who had just been in the hospital for several days, were getting to go home.  It was my birthday and it would be my sweetheart’s birthday in two weeks. Lots of reasons to celebrate.  He made it through 5 surgeries and lots of complications, but this day he was still here to celebrate another one of my birthdays and here to celebrate another one of his birthdays.   God was so good to us. We knew that a little birthday/coming home party awaited us at home.  Ron’s sister and brother-in-law and our dearest friends, “The Michie’s”, had dinner and the party waiting for us there.  But we weren't aware of the 2+ ton gift that awaited us.

We packed up everything out of the hospital room and we headed out of the hospital -- the nurse wheeled Ron down to the vehicle waiting area where we thought Ron's sister and brother-in-law were picking us up.  But what to our wandering eyes should appear but a gorgeous silver Buick Enclave – with a big red bow on top.  It was a magnanimous birthday gift for both of us from Ryan and Shawntel.    We were overwhelmed to say the least.  It was our dream-come-true car and it was incomprehensible that a gift of this magnitude was given to us by our kids.  I can't begin to explain how, even though my sweetheart could not drive then because of the high dosage of pain meds, he could sure sit in the driver’s seat and play with all the incredible high tech "bells and whistles" of the car.  Of all the surgeries, treatments, and other intervention methods to bring him to a place of comfort during the last 8 months, there was none like the mental and emotional therapy he received with this gift.  No words could have adequately expressed our gratitude.

As I’ve stated many times over, our faith ALWAYS said, “Nothing is impossible with God”.  We fully expected that his healing would come and he'd be able to drive that car everywhere. We just believed he would.  But, he drove it only one time before his graduation to heaven.

That time was when I needed to run into the grocery store for a few items.  He waited in the car for me.  As I was checking out my groceries, I received a phone call from him.  He said,  “What are you doing?”  I said, “I’m just checking out!”  He said, “I just wanted you to know I’m driving around the parking lot and I’ll pick you up at the South door.”  He had always been the best of drivers, but I gulped because he hadn't been able to drive for obvious reasons, but this day, God protected him and everybody else in that parking lot so that he could have one chance to drive his dream car. It was so precious.  My BOY had a new TOY -- and he LOVED it.

A few months ago, when I was at the 62,000 mile warranty expiration on the car, I called Ryan and asked his opinion about me buying an Extended Warranty.  He said, “We may need to consider trading it in on a new car!”  And to that, I said, “Oh no – that car will continue with me as long as it can.  There are just too many sweet memories of dreams coming true and Dad's joy attached to it.”  I bought the Extended Warranty.

On this day, I'm celebrating another year of God's blessings to me.  I'm still here so I'm not done.  My sweet ride, "Silver",  is still here so it's not done either.  We have lots of assignments to take care of.....and we'll continue to go many more miles on this amazing journey toward heaven.....and, might I add.....the journey gets sweeter and sweeter every day!

Big Audacious Faith-Filled Prayers

Day 141 of Photo Inspirations -- Big Audacious Faith-Filled Prayers
Yesterday was Payton's birthday party -- he had planned it for weeks -- pool party, pool games, outdoor fun.  But then we had to think about Plan B -- the forecast was 92% chance of rain.

Yesterday, I posted about how I am honing in on taking my prayer life to another level -- drawing circles around my prayers and instead of timid prayers, praying faith-filled, walking-on-water prayers.    So during our morning devotion and prayer around the breakfast table -- we prayed for a beautiful day that gave opportunity to the fun and games at the pool, as well as the Plan B games we had ready to go.

The party was set for Noon to 6 pm.  During those six hours, we had completely clear, warm and beautiful weather.  The party was a complete success.  It started with music by Payton and Chris, then ping pong  and pizza....and then, as Payton had believed.....pool games (in and out of the water), one of which included a stick of gum covered with whipped cream in a plate.  With hands behind their backs, they had to go face-first into the whipped cream to get the gum in their mouth.  The first one to get their gum and blow a bubble was the winner.  And, there they enjoyed their chocolate chip cookie dessert.  Smart idea to have the messiest part of the party at the pool!

It was brilliant of us to have a Plan B -- that added to the fun of our Birthday Olympics.  Back at the house, we had all kinds of "Minute to Win It" games:  Moving Skittles with straws, Stack Attack (stacking cups and taking down); Cookie Eater (Forehead to mouth -- no hands); Defy Gravity -- keeping 3 balloons up with one hand the longest; Rapid Fire -- using rubber bands to knock 3 cups off the table.

Here's the REAL deal:  we prayed an audacious prayer for a beautiful rain-less day, and we received it.  We celebrated the faithfulness of God.  But what if it had rained out the pool party?  No BIG deal -- sometimes it's the rain that causes us to dance and party in the rain.  The joys in life are making the plans.....and allowing God to direct our paths.  That way....it's a WIN - WIN -- however it turns out.  "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  Proverbs 16:9