Today is my 41st Birthday! I have always loved celebrating my birthday .The joy of spending time with friends and family. My favorite German Chocolate cake. Feeling so incredibly loved and appreciated.

There are many who are older than I am who don’t get as excited as I do. They would much rather skip over their birthdays. I totally understand that. But after the many losses I felt from October 2017 to December 2018, I have a much deeper appreciation for life. So many of these beloved souls should still be with us. They died way too young.

My friend Ben won’t get to watch his daughter grow up. My friend Rachel won’t get to walk down the aisle with the love of her life. Stephanie won’t get to watch her beautiful children grow up. And as I reflect on these beloved souls, I find myself clinging to the promise of the resurrection while also clinging to the beauty of each new day.

Resurrection does come. New relationships are formed. New life is found. I cannot help but think of one of my favorite quotes from Clarence W. Hall “Easter says you can put death in the grave, but it won’t stay there.”

So my friends, I will continue to unashamedly celebrate my birthday. I will cling to the beauty of today as I sit in its beauty. And I will remember those who left this earth way too soon and are now celebrating their birthdays in heaven. I will eat an extra piece of cake just for them. I will blow out those candles praying for their families. And I will celebrate what it means to be a beloved child of God here at the earthly banquet and one day at the heavenly banquet.