Fifty-Four

Today is my 54^th birthday. I could not possibly be that old. I certainly don’t feel over half a century old. This morning as I am writing this it is snowing to beat the band outside. That’s pretty hard to believe too. Perhaps the unusual weather we are having is God’s way of reminding me that all sorts of strange things happen in the Springtime, as do the ones we should expect this time of year: we grow older, dead things fall away, and new life springs into being.

I woke up feeling grateful this morning. Grateful for the amazing family I have. Grateful for my friends, for my health, and grateful to live when and where I do (21^st century Georgia, USA). Since I am currently unemployed and somewhat at loose ends, I would expect to find myself worried, anxious, or depressed as another birthday arrives, but I am not. That is a testament to God’s presence and his healing grace in my life.

I could go on, and get all mushy – I have plenty of reasons to do so, but I think instead I’ll just let this poem by Emily Matthews say it for me instead.

Your Birthday Is A Day Of Promise by Emily Matthews

This is a day of promise -
0f hopefulness, laughter, and cheer,
for this is a day of remembering
the good things that happened all year -
A day for reflecting on memories
shared with friends and with family, too,
who were so much a part
of the joys in your heart
and the love that you feel
all year through.

This is a day of promise
of the beauty and warmth life can hold,
and of new dreams to dream
and more love to share
through a year that's about to unfold.