I've been dreading my 57th birthday for some time now.
There have been moments of worry, fear, and anxiety as I think about aging and the future unknowns.
When I wrote this post this week, I felt the heaviness begin to leave.
Then this morning, the day before my birthday, something woke me up in time to see the first blush of the sunrise through the window in our stair landing.
Simultaneously, I felt an overwhelming sense of God's presence and a great feeling of joy, hope and expectation.
I lay there in the quiet with happy tears running down my cheeks, my husband asleep and unaware next to me.
I've had a deep abiding joy and peace all day long.
I believe 57 is going to be a very good year.
still following,
Love this verse! And I'm 53 soon, so I'm right behind you :) Wishing you many more blessings in the coming year!
ReplyDeleteRenee, yay for being a fifty something! :) I'm anticipating those blessings you mentioned.
DeleteWell, since I might not be here tomorrow, I will say HAPPY BIRTHDAY today. I do understand the sense of dread. I feel it so much more often than I used to. Praise the Lord that I also understand the sense of peace as well. It's when you have those calming and enduring waves that you much more fully understand why He calls it the peace that passes understanding, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the sweet birthday blessings. Here's to facing the future with confidence!
DeleteElizabeth, I think 57 is going to be a great year! Love this verse.Praying that you would flourish in ways you never even thought!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I am saying AMEN to your comment.
DeleteI hope you will have a wonderful birthday tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI did have a wonderful birthday Robyn. Thank you!
DeleteHappy birthday! May this be a wonderful year for you as you live into this verse!
ReplyDeleteI'm saying AMEN in agreement! Thank you Kathryn!
DeleteYou're going to rock 57! The Lord uses us all, no matter the age. Can't wait to see what 57 holds for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, friend. I'm glad God still has a use for me no matter my age.
DeleteWell that's just beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteNot that your other posts aren't, but this is so succinctly beautiful in it's peaceful experience.
Bless you sweet lady!
Thank you so much! You are so sweet!
DeleteYes, it is going to be a great year - because He is going ahead of you into the unknown! Happy birthday, dear friend. Have a wonderful day celebrating the life God has given you!
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
Oh, I'm so thankful He does go before me!
DeleteAmen, Elizabeth and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!! May you have the eyes to follow where He leads. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, June!
DeleteI believe 57 will be a glorious year for you! Have a beautiful day! And…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
ReplyDeleteYes! I believe year 57 is going to be a great one! Thank you for the birthday wishes! :)
DeleteYou are just so precious Elizabeth. Happy Birthday have a joy filled day! Hugs
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. Hugs right back to you!
DeleteHappy Birthday Beautiful Lady. I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Debbi
I did have a wonderful day. Thank you, Debbi!
DeleteOhhh, so beautiful. Just like you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Julie!
DeleteHappy Birthday Elizabeth! Wishing you a day as special as you. Giving thanks & praise for the gift of you in our world! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet. Thank you, Krista!
DeleteHow fun to join the birthday party here with you, Elizabeth. It's obvious to me you're headed into the best decade yet. Fruit is swelling, promises unfolding and you have much to share as you "Just Follow Jesus". May you flourish in His courts today.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat! I really do want to stay fresh and flourishing for all my days on the earth!
Deleteelizabeth, i hope you have a wonderful birthday. this probably won't be the last birthday you face with trepidation. i am about 10 years ahead of you. i'm not really old, old but by all definitions i can no longer be called young at all. i love the Scripture you used. very encouraging indeed!
ReplyDeleteMartha, time just zooms by and the older I get the faster it zooms! Do you find that to be the case as well?
Delete♪ EVERY day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before ♪
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Elizabeth.
That's so true!
DeleteAnd, last year when not far from turning 56, although I didn't know your b-day, wasn't much further than mine, when I turned 68 in July while being taken around and about to be with Linda and the next day with family and friends going along the whole stretch of Columbia around and about... You were a treat then ... the photo on my book ... and during my last visit. Now I'll shut up and go away, but you were a blessing then and have been consistently for many, many years. Thanks much! SO you are almost exactly 12 years younger than me. Worth a grin.
ReplyDeleteWell, you're a very active and vibrant 68 year old, friend!
DeleteLove your beautiful blog, so glad I came! And you do NOT look 57- you look younger! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ashley! I'm blessed by your encouragement!
DeleteHappy Birthday, Elizabeth! I've had the same uncertain thoughts about this season ... even though I truly believe that 60 is the new 30! Let's see what God's going to do in us as we keep heading forward!
ReplyDeleteHope you partied ...
:-}
I hope you're right, that 60 is the new thirty! I'd be happy even if it's the new 40!
DeleteFeeling the same peace as I approach 50. Two more years to go but I rest in his care and feel so loved. 57 will be great Elizabeth. Yes it will. Looking forward to more of his glory unfolding in your life this year and the years to come. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteAre you serious? I thought you were in your mid-thirties. Wow!
Delete