An ordinary day on your birthday, an extraordinary God

Today is my birthday! I haven’t done anything spectacular to celebrate it; in fact, it’s been a very ordinary day…primarily because I just had some dental work done and I’m on a soft food diet this week (which means, the hygienist said, no chips & salsa right now (or cake)…although I did buy a Sonic hot fudge sundae today to put in my coffee for a little chocolate, creamy treat!). I can’t have hot or cold drinks right now, so I had to let it cool first. But it was so good!

But my perspective (despite not being able to go out to eat for my birthday) is that each day and moment is a precious gift and sacred, whether you’re saving lives like my husband Ray does in his courageous career (Marines/Navy corpsman, paramedic, police chief, SWAT team medic, and currently a fire chief/paramedic); a doctor or nurse; a lawyer; a librarian; a homeschooling mom; a garbage truck worker; a scientist; a therapist; a radio show host; a stay at home mom changing diapers; or ____ (you fill in the blank). 

When I went to get Swiffer power mop cloths at Walmart this morning to mop the floors, I also bought myself some gorgeous yellow roses there. They are among my fave flowers, besides sunflowers, daisies, and wildflowers. 

They go nicely with my t-shirt with the yellow inscription (with a cute heart!), which reads, “Choose Happy.” I believe that we do have to CHOOSE happiness, or joy, rather, no matter what our circumstances are. “The joy of the LORD is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Today was a beautiful day with the sunshine streaming through the trees in our yard. 

After I finished cleaning our house, I led (facilitated) our writers’ Progress Pod. These weekly pods and the software are the brain child of Richard Ralston from New Zealand to help people take a “Next Tiny Step” to reach their dreams and goals faster, and for support and accountability. It is a BRILLIANT idea. Richard, who’s an awesome man of God, has helped 1,000’s of people to achieve their goals with this method and software. 

I’m excited about the pod and this week was our second week meeting (on Zoom today).  I’m praying for the ladies in my pod (and myself) for us to succeed in quickly reaching our goals, with God’s and each other’s help.

After the meeting, I cleaned our house more and started working on this blog. Then Ray and I went to our new church Hope City Church’s “Night of Hope” worship/praise service. It was great…just worship and praise to God. I felt it was a great way to set the tone for my new birthday year!

Ray and I sat with our long-time, great friends Jim and Deann Wolf. It’s so good to be in the house of the LORD – especially with family and friends!

For tonight’s church service, I wore a pretty dress that I bought years ago for work for Valentine’s Day, a heart Origami Owl, silver heart necklace that our daughter Heather bought me several Christmases ago, and tall, black, leather boots that I bought as a souvenir when Ray and I traveled to Italy years ago. I love the dress, the necklace, and the boots!

I got exactly what I wanted for my birthday…Ray and our daughters to tell me “Happy Birthday” and that they loved me! Heather even called today on her lunch break and sang “Happy Birthday!” to me, and so did a friend of Ray’s at church tonight, haha! Many other friends wished me happy birthday and blessings on my Facebook personal wall, which truly blessed me.  YES, I receive those blessings!

 

A few days ago, my father-in-law, Charles Jones, sweetly sent me a CUTE birthday ecard with animals. A baby bear played the “Happy birthday to you” song on a violin, like our daughter Leah plays the violin (so beautifully!). I loved it!

 

I couldn’t do what I do without my family’s and friends’ love, support, and prayers! I love y’all! Please keep me and my family in your prayers this year!

Ray also bought me a new (used) car for my birthday several months ago (his truck engine blew and we needed a car!), which I love! Today he gave me a very nice card and two bullet journals in an adorable gift bag with the inscription, “It’s fine, Everything is fine.” I laughed because our daughter Leah often says the word “Fine!” for everything.

 

 

 

Ray also got me other great things, which I appreciate so much!

I wasn’t able to go out to eat today to celebrate my birthday due to being on a soft food diet from dental work this week. After the worship service, there was a Chic Fil A food truck outside for the congregation. I LOVE Chic Fil A – no fair, LOL! It took much self-control to say NO and to walk to the car with Ray. (He didn’t get any due to the long line! He loves it, too. Who doesn’t?!)

However, I’m planning to go out to eat with our daughter Leah this weekend to Panera Bread. She texted me “Happy birthday” and to invite me out to eat with her, which is so sweet! I can eat their delicious broccoli cheddar soup. 

On the way as Ray and I drove home, there was a beautiful night sky and a crescent moon. A great day!

I’m thankful today that God has given me another new day, and for all that Jesus has done for me in my life – He saved and delivered me! I’m thankful for family and friends who unconditionally love and pray for me each day.

I’m thankful for my speaking audiences (at live and online events, on my videos and vlogs on YouTube, and on my podcast), for my book readers, and for my coaching clients. 

I’m thankful that even though I didn’t do anything that seems “exciting” on my birthday due to my dental work and soft food diet, I’m still physically and mentally able to clean my house!

I’m thankful that I got to go to church with Ray tonight, see and sit with good friends, and worship and praise God our Creator. I’m thankful for the beautiful yellow roses, the hot fudge sundae in my coffee today, the pretty night sky and crescent moon. Jesus is the KING OF KINGS and He’s coming back soon. And God is worthy of all our worship and praise! AMEN!

Even on an “ordinary” birthday, God can do extraordinary things–because each moment is precious!

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