Thankful Thursdays: My Birthday!

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful that today (May 23) is my birthday!

I am grateful that God allowed me to see another year of life.

Life is filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, joys and tragedies but one thing remains: God is Good and His Love for us remains forever true and unconditional throughout eternity!

Looking back over my life thus far, I wouldn’t change anything because all of these moments – good and bad – led me to the life I have today. Nothing is always perfect here on Earth but there’s so much to be thankful for and I praise God for ALL He’s done and continues to do for me and all of the wonderful people that He’s placed in my life.

Earlier this week, my Mom celebrated my birthday with me by treating me to a peppermint pedicure and manicure at our favorite day spa then she paid for an early dinner at one of our favorite restaurants where she tipped the waiters that it was my birthday celebration, so they sung the “Happy Birthday” song to me. Yesterday, my Dad treated me to a brunch at a local old-fashioned diner. I enjoyed my favorite breakfast meal there – Banana Stuffed French Toast and scrambled eggs. The diner does the whole “farm to table” approach to dining so the food there always tastes so fresh and delicious.

Earlier today, I received a birthday card from my brother and sister-in-law with really sweet wording and a gift certificate to my favorite day spa.

All throughout this day, my family and friends who are on Facebook have posted all sorts of sweet and fun "Happy Birthday" notes on my wall. Loved ones have sent text messages to my personal phone to wish me a “Happy Birthday” too! It’s been a full day filled with showers of blessings from God and the people who care about me.

I truly feel blessed to have the people who are in my life as part of my story.

I hope and pray that you will spend time thinking about what you’re thankful for then share in the comments below.

May the good Lord our God bless you and keep you!

Love,

Alexis A. Goring
Founder of “God is Love” blog

Thankful Thursday: My birthday and other reasons to celebrate

Today is my birthday!

I am SO thankful to God for allowing me to make it through another year!

As you know, everything you have can be gone in a split second through the loss of your own life or a natural disaster such as the tornado that stormed through Oklahoma City on Monday, leaving desolation to property and devastation to hearts of the residents who live there.

The Bible tells us not to worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will “worry about itself” and each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). So each and every day that I wake up in the morning and make it through the day and sleep peacefully through the night I am thankful because you just never know what can happen.

Another reason to celebrate is inspired by this song, “Indescribable” which was first written and composed by Laura Story, originally performed by Chris Tomlin but my absolute favorite version of the song is performed by Kierra Sheard! The reason to celebrate is found within the the song's lyrics which praise God for being so wonderful. The lesson point is that no matter how often we mess up, God is still there to pick us up and will forgive us if we ask for forgiveness, repent and turn away from our sin(s). I love the line in the song that says God sees the DEPTHS of our HEARTS and LOVES US THE SAME! Now that’s beautiful. God sees the UGLY in us and YET He still loves us. Despite of us, God still shows us that there is HOPE.  The love, grace and mercy of God can transform us from the worst condition, restoring us from our broken sinful position and remaking us into who He has called us to be in this life.

Now if that’s not something to celebrate EVERY DAY, not just on my birthday LOL, then I don’t know what else is worthy of such gratitude!

So here’s to ME on my birthday and here’s to YOU who God sees and loves unconditionally EVERY DAY!