The other day, my sister Leah and I were walking 6 dogs (as we can often be found doing) and I was telling her of a thought a that occurred to me the day before. I had just turned 30 years old- I thought this would have upset me, "I can't believe I'm 30 already..." etc... but somehow, that was all wiped away when I realized, not, "I can't believe I'm 30" but rather, "I can't believe I'm only 30 and I have accomplished/experienced so much in my life." 
To celebrate this monumental milestone of my life, we invited pretty much everyone we had ever met over to our house for a party on my birthday this past weekend. Not everyone we had ever met could actually make it, but those that did are VERY special and important people in my life. I value each and everyone of them more than they know. We had kids running around, Leah bought toys and made a kids station in the basement with glow sticks, balls, and puzzles just to name a few things. It was a time to see friends I hadn't in what seemed like years, and new ones I had made just a couple of weeks before. Leah had prepared food galore and what she managed to miss, was made up for by all the wonderful goodies everyone else brought. My favorite part was when a girl friend of mine
pointed out at 10 pm that there was still a ham in the oven... oops, yes... the ham... Leah thought a ham would be a perfect addition and put it in the oven 2 hours prior to the party so it would be ready when guests arrived... five and a half hours later, people wanted HAM! So, out came the ham not too worse for wear with it's additional 3 hours of cooking, thank God is was on low...
It sort of reminded me of the story where Jesus turns the water into wine and the host of the wedding praises Jesus in John 2, "Everyone brings out the
choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had
too much to drink; but 
you have saved the best till now.” So that being
said, I'm not sure Jesus would have turned anything into ham since he was Jewish... but you get the idea.
you have saved the best till now.” So that being
said, I'm not sure Jesus would have turned anything into ham since he was Jewish... but you get the idea. We wanted to have an extra space in our house to entertain for this party and since Matt had already been working on the basement, we decided to turn all of our attentions on one room working around the clock. Now, when I say around the clock, you might be thinking, getting up early, going to bed late... no. I mean AROUND the clock. Literally, between Matt, Leah and I, someone was always working in that room 24 hours a day for at least the entire week before the party. I was hanging drywall at 4:00 am and walking dogs during the day loving every minute of it. My body ached, I didn't have time to eat (neither did Matt, but he can't afford not to eat, his body shuts down... oops) but again, I felt like Jesus, "I have food you know not of." I had time during those hours to reflect, spend time with God and just be alone with my own thoughts. I was excited about envisioning a house full of the family and friends that I love. Leah put the last coat of paint up the night before the party and I laid the floor the day of. Our friends would ask, "hey when did you guys do all of this?!" "umm... just now, like, literally today..."
 |
| Part of the newly finished room |
Outside we had a huge bonfire, I couldn't have asked for better weather on an early November day, there was little wind, the sun was warm and the sky was clear. Everyone gathered around the fire and made new friends or were reacquainted with ones they had met at gatherings here before. After several of the guest had gone, Leah got out the guitar and played a new song she had written that despite the fact that it is a full blown country tune, is, I think, the best song she's ever written- (which is saying a lot because she's written several. I love) That song seemed to set the mood for the rest of the evening with people telling stories of God moving or doing extra special things in their life, even when they didn't know it was God at the time. My friend "Mrs. T" told a story of how God saved her from a gunman pointing the gun at her through her car window, bowing her head, praying, looking up and him being gone. Another friend "J", told how when he was at his very lowest, with $5 to last him the rest of the week, no food, his girl friend and son gone, was at the store about to cry when a man extended a hand with money in it to him. "J" asked this man, "out of all the people in the whole store why are you giving this to me?" "I don't know," the guy shrugged his shoulders, "God just told me to I guess."
Little did "J" know at that time, God was waving him down saying, "hey, I have a plan for you!" God was making Himself evident in his life here and there but most recently, saving his life from what should have been a fatal car wreck. He totaled his car and walked away without a scratch. Less than a couple of weeks later, Matt, Leah and I had the privilege of meeting "J", and a couple of weeks after that, "J" had the privilege of meeting Jesus. This past Tuesday night he sent me a text message saying that he had asked Jesus into his life and his heart. The rejoicing that went on in my heart and in this house must have rivaled that of Heaven itself. I have had the wonderful opportunity to present the gospel to people and pray with them many times in my life, but never have I seen anyone so sincere and humble, so genuine and good at heart. So here was the second birthday of the week- November 12th, the
birth of a new life, being born again. John 3 "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." It is such a beautiful, precious thing and in revisiting the scriptures of salvation to share with "J" I have had a renewed joy and thankfulness of that amazing sacrifice in me! He died so that I might live. It amazes me still.
The third birthday(s) of the week, were last night when we got to take two of our very good friends (who happen to be twin brother and sister) out to dinner for their birthdays. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy celebrating the birthday of a friend that I hold dear. To thank God for another year spent with them, thanking God for allowing them to be in my life, letting them know just how special they are to us. Another friend was able to come, so including my mom, Leah, Matt and myself we had a party of seven. I was able to tell the story of "J" to these friends, who also rejoiced over his new birthday and I was reminded of the very reason of our existence. Birth = life. God created us, God gave LIFE to us, so that we might choose Him and choose to please Him. In turn, He wants to give us life to it's fullest! To bless us with new births, physically, through children, and spiritually, through people like "J"- new LIFE. How amazing and beautiful of a cycle this is that He has set out for us. I never want to say no to a life God wants to give me, whether it be a child, or a new brother/sister in Christ. Psalm 127 3-5 says, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are
the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver
with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies
in the gate."
Since I'm not married yet, I will be thankful for the brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord blesses me with, His children- He never says, "no thank you, I have 2.5 children and that is enough." He ALWAYS wants more children, more of you and more of me. Thank you for sharing my birthday and these others with me, and remember as always, Jesus is that beautiful light that expels ALL darkness!
Much Love for Yall,
~ Michelle
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