Let's have some cake.

Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me!  If you don't know by now or haven't read my earlier blogs commenting on birthdays,  I fully embrace my birthday.    Most people, as they get older and especially us women, (yes sorry sisters I have to call you out) dread birthdays.   But I choose to celebrate it just as I did when I was a little kid.  To do anything otherwise,  is the very thing that ages you.  So stop worrying and dreading and come celebrate with me. 

So what is there to celebrate?  Another year of life God has given you, your growth in wisdom,  another year closer to going to our real home with Jesus, and another chance to do better.  For me, its all of the above, and I will add another year of sobriety.  

And presents! Don't you just love presents?! I was blessed to get some pretty good ones this year.   Our mighty God has also given us so many gifts.  Everyday I make sure to enjoy the one gift that keeps on giving. 

That's right, the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth book.  

I started this year reading the Bible in chronological order reading plan to complete the whole bible by the end of the year.  Its been very eye opening and enriching to say the least.   I've recently made the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament and the year is nearly three-fourths over!   So I'm thinking the Old Testament must be pretty important if not just as important than the New Testament to comprise that much of the good book.    But didn't Jesus do away with all of the old teachings of Judaism, replacing law with grace?   So why is it kept?  Why do we need to read that part as it is called, so old?   It may be old, but it still relevant and speaks to us today.   Its so much more!   As I dive deeper into the New Testament, I realize that God didn't send Jesus to cancel out the Old Testament.  He sent Jesus to fulfill it.

So there is so much to learn from the Old Testament.  The most important theme I see is this beautiful romantic love story about God's love for his people.   Then God takes it upon himself to come to earth sending his son Jesus to continue that amazing love story.   

Jesus extends the law, making it better by sending the message of not  just obeying the law but living it out in  community for the good of your neighbor.    I apologize for lack of a better expression here, but that's pretty freakin' awesome!  

Coming to this realization on the month of my birthday, I couldn't help but think of  the bible like a birthday cake.   The Old Testament is the spongy, rich layers that comprise most of it, and the New Testament, that story of God's amazing gift of grace is  the icing on the cake.  You can't have one without the other and let's face it, doesn't the icing makes everything else so much better.   God gave us this delicious birthday cake and just like any other cake its meant to be shared with others. That's when its best enjoyed.  

Lately,  God has been teaching me to not only be still in the moments that make me want to run away, but not to rebel, not lash out.  Change my heart O 'God! 

I recently ran a race here, it was a local one , lots of fun.  With local small races there's always a chance to place especially in my age division,  (I like to think of myself as a young 40-49 year old) so I was hoping to place so I can get that fancy trophy  mug I saw set up on the awards table.  The race course was hard and arduous  taking me not only through the paths I've been so familiar with , but also the beach running on the sand at least a few miles of the race along the lagoon.   It was also in the late morning sun.  Although not my best time, I kept most of the race in the head pack so I was certain I'd place in my age division.  When I glanced at the results posted on the board after my race, I'd seen 4th place behind my name.  4th place doesn't win a trophy, darn! nearly missed it!  I was so upset that I didn't want to stay around for the ceremony and stormed off in frustration.  Only to find out through a co worker later on that week who had been at the awards ceremony, they called my name.  In fact, I came in 3rd place and won my trophy.   If I was only patient and calm to read the results a little more carefully, I could have enjoyed the glory of hearing my name called and running up to the stage to get my precious mug.   Needless to say, I was able to get my prize later on at the bike shop that had sponsored the event.   Sometimes if you just wait and see, you can enjoy the blessings.   My next active challenge will be a biathlon --run , swim challenge out by Waikiki and this time I'll be sure to stay around for the awards or at least read the results more carefully. 

And so it is as I anticipate looking for a new home.  Time is winding down for us to find a new place to live.  There are a few options and the choices are being narrowed down as we speak.   Exciting to see what God has in store for us.  My past has revealed to me that I don't do well with change so I'll be sure to not rebel, not go crazy or stress out.   For the Lord is with me and I don't have to stress or worry.  The Lord is always with us!   And that my dear friends is having your cake and eating it too! 

As we say in Celebrate Recovery, thank you for letting me share!  

-Hopeful girl , sober for 2 years, 3 months and 2 weeks.  Hopeful for some more cake.