Birthday

Today, I am a year older and hopefully, a bit wiser.  We have spent the past week on vacation, getting some much needed sunshine and time with our oldest.  It was a restful, sunshine-and-laughter-filled week.  I had big plans to work on my blog, type up more of the Bible studies, get ahead on a few things in my daily life.  But, instead, I sat by the pool reading fiction books in the sun.  What a relaxing time!

I knew this about myself before I left, but thought I would do it differently this time… ha!

So, a little insight into who I am.  I have two speeds:  Stop and go.  I function at a high rate of speed, until I don’t.  The Covid lockdown that happened last year at this time, was awful for me!  I was forced to stop.  I don’t dabble in the middle ground.  I am not great with moderation.  I am in or I out.  I am off or on.  So, I stopped… completely.  For far too long.  I began sleeping in, taking naps, I hardly accomplished anything.  Ugh!  I felt yucky, due to inactivity.  I began creating goals for myself (in areas that I had never needed motivation before), just to keep me moving.  

This was our first vacation since the lockdown was lifted and I thought that I could now settle in the middle ground and use this time away to “get a few things done”.  Nope!  So, next time I want to get away to get things done, I need to schedule myself to work, not to completely relax!  

Don’t misunderstand me, I loved it!  However, I do laugh at myself for being surprised by myself.

With all that… Every year, I think about where I am, who I am becoming and where I would like to grow.  

I know my true identity is in Jesus; that I am a daughter of the King!  I also know that he has given me gifts to use while on earth and I want to be sure to utilize those gifts to the best that I am able.  

Here are my random thoughts…

I love being with people, but don’t love being the organizer.  I love surprises and gifts!  I would love to be able to read faster.  My hair is more white than I feel old!  I want to eat a better diet for my body.  I am finally enjoying black coffee.  I want to learn how to make latte art and the perfect macaron.  I can roll with daily chaos, but bad customer service ruffles my feathers.  I need to clean out my closet, but really don’t want to do it!  I need to speak up for my needs, and not assume that they are known.  I want to spend more time with girlfriends and more time exercising.  I wish that I enjoyed making dinner; I do love eating it! I want to be an encouragement to others, to love well, to lead well.  

I am praying for God in the next year to smooth out a few more of my rough edges, open my eyes to his leading, and use me for his glory.  

Thank you to all my friends and family for the calls, texts, emails and Facebook messages today.  I feel so loved!