Life got a little crazy so Ive been away for awhile. I’ve missed you all. I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung over at our Five Minute Friday website. This week’s word prompt is “challenge.” We would love to have you join us.

Sometimes life throws us a curve ball. That’s where I’ve found myself lately. I resigned from my call earlier this week. I’m at peace with my decision. But the challenge is trusting in God. Where will God lead me next?

I don’t know about you, but I wish there were traffic signals telling us which way to go. Left or right, up or down, caution, stop, etc? I realize that’s not the point of trusting in God. But there are days it would be so much easier. It wouldn’t be such a challenge.

I’m not sure what’s next for me. Yet I believe that God walks with me especially when life is challenging. God will lead me to that place where my gifts will best be used. So as I close this blog post today, I leave you with this beautiful blessing that my friend shared with me written by Jan Richardson. It’s a promise I am clinging to in these days.

“As you go,
may you feel
the full weight
of your gifts
gathered up
in your two hands,
the complete measure
of their grace
in your heart that knows
there is a place
for them,
for the treasure
that you bear.”
Jan Richardson

I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung over at our Five Minute Friday website. This week’s word prompt is “testimony.” We would love to have you join us.

Hand in hand, a legacy of love. Both sets of grandparents lived such a testimony of love. They both were married for 50 and 60 plus years, respectively. They are the example I strive for in the relationship I dream of. They lived out those words “for better or worse.”

Grandpa has always been such a hardworking man. It’s hard to believe that he’s been gone eight months already. His values are carried over in his children. As they farm the land, they testify and give testimony to those values their mom and dad installed in them.

My momma also is someone who I respect too. She lives her life as such a beautiful woman of faith; a testimony to who and whose she is. She carries God’s grace with her wherever she goes.

These souls are testimony to who God created them to be.

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.