on birthdays
Our family tradition is to wrap the birthday girl/boy's door in streamers early in the morning and wait outside with camera ready for their birthday burst through. This morning, that joy was mine. My precious kids stood outside the door with eyes aglow waiting for mommy to burst through the door and begin her 43rd year.
43. I feel both young and old. I am both learner and teacher, daughter and mommy, mentee and mentor. This "in-between-ness" is rich--so full of potential.
Bear had asked if I wanted a party. Hmmn. Nope. Quiet and simple is my preference. So today I took Keona into Gloria Deo (she goes on M/W and we homeschool the other days) and spent several hours wandering around in anonymity at the mall in a careful endeavor to spend birthday money on a sweatsuit. Yes, I felt loved when I stumbled upon an earthy set at 70% off with only one of each piece left--of course my size. Amazing how even with all the turmoil in the world Father intentionally reveals his care for each of us in such personal ways.
Then I took an extended birthday nap followed by an amazing meal of my favorites (Alaskan King crab legs, 7 layer salad, and Dutch apple pie) courtesy of my incredible mom. The kids made me cards and art. I gave them all baths and then dear Keona and I had special time while she "braided" my hair and then danced together to worship music.
Tonight at my computer, a dear friend sent me a link to Elaine Olsen's blog. She just finished leading her bible study group through Anonymous: the bible study and I was very touched by their closing blog/video (http://peaceforthejourney.blogspot.com/).
"Jesus, I'm alive because you live. Thank you for the gift of time on earth and the promise of true life beyond my last breath."
43. I feel both young and old. I am both learner and teacher, daughter and mommy, mentee and mentor. This "in-between-ness" is rich--so full of potential.
Bear had asked if I wanted a party. Hmmn. Nope. Quiet and simple is my preference. So today I took Keona into Gloria Deo (she goes on M/W and we homeschool the other days) and spent several hours wandering around in anonymity at the mall in a careful endeavor to spend birthday money on a sweatsuit. Yes, I felt loved when I stumbled upon an earthy set at 70% off with only one of each piece left--of course my size. Amazing how even with all the turmoil in the world Father intentionally reveals his care for each of us in such personal ways.
Then I took an extended birthday nap followed by an amazing meal of my favorites (Alaskan King crab legs, 7 layer salad, and Dutch apple pie) courtesy of my incredible mom. The kids made me cards and art. I gave them all baths and then dear Keona and I had special time while she "braided" my hair and then danced together to worship music.
Tonight at my computer, a dear friend sent me a link to Elaine Olsen's blog. She just finished leading her bible study group through Anonymous: the bible study and I was very touched by their closing blog/video (http://peaceforthejourney.blogspot.com/).
"Jesus, I'm alive because you live. Thank you for the gift of time on earth and the promise of true life beyond my last breath."
posted by alicia britt chole at
6:34 PM
3 Comments:
Dear Alicia:
I love the fact that I will be the first comment on this latest post, because I have come to regard you as something of a family friend. My wife, Elaine, (aka peaceforthejourney) has been profoundly impacted by your ministry of ink and Spirit.
Elaine discovered "Anonymous" during a time of testing in her life that I remember all to well; days of disappointment and the impression that she had been "shelved" by God. Your offerings of word and now video have sharpened Elaine's own discernment of the plans God has for her. I have long known Elaine's gifts and graces - but how I celebrate God's work through you to encourage my wife.
Your video series has also been a powerful tool for discipleship in our church. As pastor of our church, I have gotten so much out of just being the "sound guy" during the Tuesday Night Ladies' Bible Study. I have gotten to take in your teaching while watching aproximately 45 women also absorbing each lesson. What a privilege.
Thank you for extending yourself beyond your own local church. What the Lord has already done through you is all the proof I need to say that this is the right time for you to come out of hiding!
Rev. Billy
Happy birthday, Alicia.
My 43rd birthday last week (I guess that makes me older, huh?) was similar, but without the streamers and shopping. (I'm glad though--I'm not much of a streamer or shopping girl...)
I have a friend who doesn't celebrate birthdays because she views them as a celebration of our entrance into a world of sin. Recently she shared more about that. She focuses on the scriptures in Eccl that say the day of a man's death is greater than his birth, and the end is better than the beginning. No one's presented that thinking to me before, so I am newly curious as to how people in Jesus' time dealt with birthdays. In all your research about Jesus and His hidden years, did you discover how his birthdays were marked? How did the Gospel writers know He was twelve when He stayed behind at the temple, and etc.? How were such statistics recorded then? Did people--did Jesus--celebrate birthdays anything like we do?
-lj
What a lovely birthday! I just celebrated 41 a few months ago. Sounds like a blessed day for you. Thanks for sharing.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home