It's My Birthday, and I Can Cry Happy Tears if I Want to!

Sweet time with my Frisco family yesterday at a great restaurant and then to see the new "Overcomer" movie. I was totally on that bandwagon of celebrating me. This is my life -- the only one that was meant for me. Alexia asked "Nana, how does it feel to be younger than the Great Depression? How does it feel being younger than the greatest drought ever that led to the dust bowl years? How does it feel to be younger than the Empire State Building?" With happy tears, I was elated that something was older than me! 🤣

And I'm so grateful to be younger than something....especially when my doctors, lawyers, teachers and preachers.....are younger than me! Honestly, I'm so blessed beyond what I deserve with the love that I’ve received from friends and family. I’ve been made to feel that I matter. And, the real crux of the matter for you AND me is -- we always did and always will matter because we are God’s treasures. “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession.” Malachi 3:17

Treasures. God always saw us as treasures and on our birthdays we get to rock that truth. I’m rocking even as I type this post today. While the media leads us to believe that youth somehow has more value, the truth is, we are treasured by God at every age. Not only that, but He gives us specific gifts to share with the world in every season of our lives. We best be owning and sharing those gifts. They are the specific ones God planted within us.

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 just THE day, but EACH day that God gives us. Celebrating it with a joyful, thankful, forgiving heart that is open to bringing forth flourishing fruit. So, today, let's party -- at least in the sense of celebrating YOU and me! Whether you are 8, 38 or 88.....you are to be celebrated. You're still bearing fruit. We're still here....we're not done! "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be vigorous and flourishing." Psalm 92:14

The anthem of the musical, “The Greatest Showman” was “This is Me”, sung by Keala Settle. As I was looking for the lyrics for this post, I saw the original video of Keala singing the song with the rest of the vocalists in a practice room for the first time with Hugh Jackman. Of course she was intimidated at first. She didn’t even want to step out from behind the music stand. You must see the transformation that took place as she sang the song as if it were her own anthem. I was in tears, and I think you will be, too! “This is Me” – let’s own who God made us to be. He has plans and purposes that only we can fulfill. Walk out being YOU! Because YOU matter!
Here is the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLFEvHWD_NE

Look out 'cause here I come;
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum.
I'm not scared to be seen; I make no apologies, this is me.

Joy of Life Bandwagon

I'm still on the joy-of-life bandwagon to help others (those who get all caught up in the seriousness and practical demands of life) get back the joy of life.They get focused on making a living and they succumb to everyday routine. They forget the child within them and they lose a lot of the flavor and spice of life. They don’t stop to smell the roses, to be struck with wonder anymore, like they did as children.

And, then there are those of us who NEVER forget, who keep that youthful pleasure and joy of life alive throughout the entire length of their lives. I'm purposing to be one of those. I love being silly with my grandkids. I love belly laughing with them. I love going to movies with them, swimming with them, fishing with them, playing badminton with them, racing them to see who can win (once upon a time, I let them win -- not any more -- but I at least put forth the effort - LOL).

And, I love being a part of a community that feels the way I do. We play pickleball, tennis, we run, walk, and work out regularly. We take great joy in play. Yes, that’s right. We still play with the gusto that is most natural to kids. Play is purposeful. Its end is joy. We are showing others a clear wisdom about life. We love life and the gift of joy that is possible to have. Life is a gift to be celebrated.

And, here's the truth of the matter -- none of us are free from life’s tragedies, pressures, or even suffering. We have known the sorrow of loss, the fears and challenges of illness, but none of this has crushed our child-like playfulness. We are proving that true happiness can even be experienced in the midst of life’s challenges.

We are showing how to be more like the “little children” that Jesus said we must be more like in order to enter the Kingdom of God. I think if you watch us, and listen to our words and attitudes, you just may learn something about how to live life fully, with great joy and gusto, too! Ready to get on the joy-of-life bandwagon with me?