My heart is full of gratitude today. I think that because its my birthday, I’m especially aware of the many undeserved blessings and gifts God has lavished upon me. Would you please indulge me for a moment? I just couldn’t let the day pass without giving Him the glory He deserves for all He has done.
In Psalm 103, today’s study verses were about His loving-kindness and mercy, forgiveness, and the immeasurable removal of our transgressions. These are incredible and unfathomable gifts that none of us deserve! But oh, how thankful we need to be for them. The removal of our transgressions… A fresh clean slate… What a continuous gift that makes me want to fall to my face in worship!
These days, I never celebrate a birthday that I don’t also celebrate life, the family God placed me in, my parents who loved us & the Lord, my Godly, loving husband and the children God has given us. But the thing that still moves me to tears is the extra years God gave me when He healed me. I still can’t get over this gift & how different a life our whole family lives!!! (For the entire story, look around my sidebar. Can’t figure out to link from the BB.)
So on this birthday, even though we are still living out of Rubbermaid tubs, in a borrowed
one bedroom apartment, on God’s “Obey Me for today & Trust Me for tomorrow, one day at a time” plan, instead of comparing our circumstances to those of others & feeling like we’ve come up short, I feel like the most blessed woman on this earth. God has carried us through some amazingly tough times, and through His hand, we’ve made it – or are on our way to making it – victoriously to the other side. I give Him all of the credit and glory for this life He designed for me.
I pray that as long as God gives me breath, I’ll breathe because of Him and in His strength. “Thank you, Lord, for the years behind, those to come, and all You desire for & in my life. I give it back to You, for Your pleasure and glory. A men.”
And a big “Thank You” to YOU, who in this time of transition, have been one of the parts of life that has gloriously stayed the same. With much love to you all…
Happy (belated) Birthday, Jennifer! You have been in my thoughts and prayers today, so I thought I'd drop by for a visit.
Jane
Happy Birthday Jennifer! What a great day-it is my husband's b-day to!
Happy Birthday Jennifer!! You say you are blessed, indeed….well, you are also a blessing, indeed!! I think fail to come away encouraged from your blog and have loved watching all that God is accomplishing in your life. Today certainly is a day to celebrate!! I hope it is special in every way:)
Jennifer-
Happy Birthday!
And wow, these words have encouraged me sooo much today! I am getting ready to move to NC to set up a house for me and my husband when he returns from Afghanistan. I've been feeling like I'm constantly on "auto pilot" lately, and for some reason I end each day feeling like it was such a waste. God is control and always working… thanks for your encouraging words.
Take care 🙂
Happy birthday! Just look at those rubbermaid bins and that the space you call home now and smile, realizing He is at work in your situation and He has a perfect place for you in His time. Hugs! : )
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday sweet friend!!! Praying your day is EXTRA special.
Continue to lift you and your sweet family up with much….much prayer.
Love ya.
Kim~
I hope I'm the first one to comment on your blog today.
Happy Birthday Jennifer!
You are such a blessing to me and I'm so thankful to get to share blogging with you. You are an encourager too as you've gone through uncertain times learning to trust and obey.
God is so good!
Love you and have a wonderful special day celebrating you!
Debbie