“It is nothing to die. It is an aweful thing to never have lived.”
Quoted from Les Miserables by the character Jean Valjean.
Birthdays have a way of making me think. 39 years. Tomorrow. Thought I’d write 39 reasons why I live.
I live to:
1. love God and grasp his love for me
2. love everyone I meet the best I can
3. laugh until I cry
4. feel the warm embrace of my husband
5. hear “love you” from my teenage son
6. listen to my daughter sing and breathe in her joy
7. write from my heart
8. plant flowers and watch them bloom
9. listen to music that invites my soul to soar
10. watch birds eat from my feeders, frolic in the birdbath and then fly free
11. speak words of encouragement and hope
12. forgive those who have hurt me
13. create a home that feels warm and cozy
14. teach my kids to be thankful and to love God
15. feel the sun’s warmth on my skin
16. notice the person who feels invisible
17. comfort someone who grieves
18. serve the suffering
19. journal my thoughts and prayers
20. read great books and watch great movies
21. cry tears of joy and pain
22. listen to lifegiving messages
23. remember where I came from
24. learn from my mistakes
25. admit my weaknesses and failures
26. grow in godly character
27. dream of ways to make a difference
28. be a compassionate wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt and friend
29. photograph beautiful things
30. sing praises
31. give gladly to someone in need
32. see beauty in others, in music, in the arts and in nature
33. appreciate the colors in the sky
34. eat and enjoy
35. receive help from others when I need it
36. pray passionately for others
37. embrace life’s little moments of joy
38. heal from my past wounds
39. reflect on all God has done for me
Thank you God for 39 years of life on earth. I celebrate another year with expectation and gratitude. May I drink freely from the cup of your grace. Help me embrace both the bitter and the sweet! My cup is overflowing! In Jesus’ name, Amen
Lovely thoughts, Tiffany! And happy birthday tomorrow!
What a beautiful list! Happy birthday, Tiffany.
P.S. I see you were able to change your template… nice work!
Celebrating you! I am glad you were born!
Happy Birthday!
I thank God for you and all my children. May you find many more reasons to live. Happy Birthday!We Love you!
Mom,
I am more than grateful to have you as my mom. Everything you do in life, your reflecting god in some sort of way. I love that you are always trying to make me feel better when I am down and trying to give me hugs everyday. You brighten our world! I love you so much!!!!!!!! Happy birthday
Mom,
My dreams came true when I first knew you were my mom.Your the best mom ever.I will always stand up for you and call you mom.When your happy.I`m happy.Your number one best mom in the world because your always encouraging me to do stuff.Your also a really cool mom,fashionable to.I`m just letting you know your the sweetist mom.
Love,
your banana
Happy Happy Birthday Tiffany.
You are in my thoughts and prayers all day. I love your writing heart and the grace that you do it with.
You are uniquely called for this time in History.
You go girl!
Love,
Paulette Harris
Donna Baker said….
Happy Birthday to a very special person in my life. I prayed for a special friend who I could confide in and the Lord did not fail. Love your reasons to live. Oh how very true they each are.
Happy Birthday Tiffany! You are awesome!!
Thank you to all who have wished me a happy birthday! I spent the day singing “I’m dreaming of a white birthday.” We got our first snow of the season on October 21st. Quite beautiful!
I feel very loved this year.
Hey…I randomly came across your blog…Happy Birthdsy!
Hope you had a beautiful birthday my dear. I haven’t had a chance to comment, but wanted to let you know what a creative blog you posted regarding your 39 years. I enjoyed reading so much. Love you so much my dear.