Celebrating You (2 Packs of Birthday Candles) - EncouragementMama.com
There was one candle left in the box.
Celebrating my husband’s 47th birthday, with homemade chicken-fried-chicken, and brownies for dessert, I insisted we light all 47 candles, even though he suggested lining them up in small groups of 4 and 7.
“Nope,” I replied, giving a handful of candles to my grandson to poke into the brownies. “We need to face reality, Babe. The store had candles in packs of 24, and I bought 2 because I wanted to point out that we now need 2 packs of birthday candles.”
He laughed.
I laughed.
Our daughter laughed and shook her head in disbelief as the pan of brownies disappeared underneath the flames.
We both turn 47 this month. Jim first, and me 20 days later. I get to be his “younger wife” for now. Then, we will trudge forward together, every day moving closer to 48, 49, and 50.
Yikes.
But you know what?
It’s a good thing. Cause I don’t want to go back. And I don’t want to stand still.
What about you?
Are the candles adding up? Are you still young enough for 1 pack? Or, are you needing 3 or 4?
Whatever age you are, please know this.
“Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” (Isaiah 46:4 NKJV)
Does that verse make you smile like it makes me smile?
Be encouraged today. Birthdays come and birthdays go, but Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He upholds us with His righteous right hand. He runs and does not grow weary. He knows all of our days from beginning to end. He knows the number of candles we will need. And, listen to this…He celebrates with us.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)
Can you imagine God singing over your life? Not the “Happy Birthday” song, but songs of truth and gladness? Gladness that He created you. Truth about who you are in Him.
Dear one, do you know who you are in God? In Father, Son, and Spirit—Three in One—do you know who you really are?
- Created in His image…
- Given life by His breath…
- Purposed for His glory…
- Saved from sin and death…
- Raised to a new way of life…
- Called to walk as Jesus walked…
- Given eternal life…
Just think how many packs of birthday candles will be needed 10,000 years into eternity!
[bctt tweet=”Just think how many packs of birthday candles will be needed 10,000 years into eternity!” username=”JenniferRWaddle”]
What things are keeping you from celebrating today?
- Sickness?
- Financial strain?
- Relationship hurts?
- Fear?
Only you can name your obstacle. Only I can name mine. But together, we can talk it through, reason it out, and join in prayer over the situation. Did you know that where 2 or more people are gathered in Jesus’ name, He is with them?
How can I pray for you? What burden is lying heavy on your soul, preventing you from celebrating life? Will you let me pray for you?
I once learned an amazing lesson about prayer. I randomly offered to pray at the end of one of my articles for a Christian publication, and to my surprise, dozens and dozens of people responded. From all over the world, requests came pouring in. And you know what? I found that nothing was more important to me than to take those requests to God and intercede for the precious people who reached out.
Strangers. Friends. Family. It doesn’t matter. I will pray.
Why?
Because I know the Lord hears us when we call. I know He takes our heartfelt prayers and intervenes. And I know that sometimes, we just need someone else to take the burden to the Lord on our behalf.
I’ll be that person for you. Just reply to this email and let me know how I can start praying for you today.
The older I get, the more I realize how fleeting this life really is. There are more candles on the cake each year, but there are also more days in between for celebrating.
Today, I celebrate you. I pray that God will continue to sing over your life and even allow you to hear it once in a while. Now, wouldn’t that be amazing?
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Always an email away,
Jennifer
