Today I turned 39. I enjoyed turning 39 so much, I just might turn 39 again next year. And the year after that. Hey, as long as I don’t look my age, I’m gonna milk this thing for all it’s worth! And for the record, I absolutely refuse to act my age. My driver’s liscense may say 39 (and it’s a real liscense– I promise I didn’t make my own fake ID!), but I feel like I’m in my 20’s. And mentally speaking, I feel like I’m 10.

But I am honestly so thankful to be alive and blessed. I have family who love me and support me! I have friends who I seriously don’t deserve who continue to show me what Christlikeness looks like. I have my God who forgives me and fills every morning with new mercies and every moment with second chances and fresh starts.

I am still a dweeb at times (and I was reminded of that today, too). But I am less dweeby than I was a year ago, so go me! I am not where I thought I’d be at this point, but I am where God wants me to be, so that’s good enough for me. I am in Christ and Christ  is in me, so whereever I am  is a good place!

I finally am realizing this year that I don’t have to fear people finding out the real me and abandoning me. I am who God made me to be and that’s a good thing! People like me for me and they choose to stick around after they find out who I am and see some of my warts and other assorted broken parts. I am amazed that they do, but they do. And I am so beyond thankful for that!

You are not a mistake. You are not an accident. God made you with His own hands and breathed His own breath into you. Then after you fell into sin, He went and bought you back. You were the treasure hidden in the field that Jesus went and gave everything to buy back. You were worth that much to Jesus! You are the apple of your Abba’s eye! Don’t ever forget that.

So, until further notice, my 40th birthday has been postponed indefinitely!

Amen and amen!