It feels right that last week I found the first gray hairs on my head, a perfect crown to don for my 32nd birthday. I turned 32 on January 26th and I wanted to share my delightful day with you. I do want to give you a warning before you read any further: If you're hungry, stop reading right now and go get a snack before you continue or else I'm afraid your stomach will be in agony for the next few minutes.
I have five words for you. Breakfast being the first, followed by these four: Dirty South Fried Rice. When the words "hot mayo" are all tangled up delectably with a breakfast item, I am in. Next let's add in "crispy rice", "grilled pork belly," a fried egg and scallions. Is your mouth watering yet? But let's pause and rewind just a moment so I can mention the appetizer. "We'll take one of your Salted Honey Butter Croissants" - paired with a latte appropriately named "Nashville Hottie" as the smooth espresso and steamed milk are intertwined with hot honey and golden turmeric.
Earlier in the morning I had asked my two year old son, Nash, what he wanted to order at breakfast. With top-of-the morning joy, he replied "chocolate chip cookie!" After we asked for the check at breakfast, I do not lie, here comes the waiter with a chocolate chip cookie featuring a blue birthday candle with a little orange flame. I thought, what a detailed blessing!
Not only was I blessed with great food, my husband also surprised and blessed me with an incredible stack of books like "The Pilgrim's Progress", "Melania", a 1977 hymnal titled "Songs of the Church", "Prayer Ancient and Modern" and happy birthday videos from family and friends. I think I felt my eyes fill with tears 4 times by 9:30am, then the rest of the day I lost count. Following breakfast and adored books, we spent time at the Nashville Flea Market where I met a wonderful woman named Dorthy and bought several of her old and treasured books. Of course it would never be possible for me to look at too many books in one day so we stopped by Half Priced Books as well where I found another handful of classics like "Gone with the Wind" and "The Old Man and the Sea". It was an unforgettable birthday truly full of my favorite things.
When I originally sought out to write a post on the topic of my birthday, I was tempted with an idea such as “5 Things I Learned in My 31st Year”, but what came more naturally, what I felt more prompted to do, was pen a letter to myself, an anchor of sorts to look back on and pull strength from during any stormy seasons that may lie ahead this year. I will leave you today with a letter that I wrote to myself because I have a good feeling one of you may need to hear these words, too.
Dear Me,
You’re going to be faced with a lot of temptation to feel overwhelmed, uncertain and even afraid this year - but just keep walking forward. I am here to remind you that God has always been good on His promises in your life. Remember when you were asking for all the things that you have now? Remember when your heart was wounded and hurt and He gave you His mighty wing to rest under? Take count of all the ways He's cared for you. Breathe. Set your eyes on the cross, every single day. Every dish you clean, every book you read a loud, every scripture you take in and prayer you say, each meal you cook and every floor you scrub is bringing value to those who live in the home God entrusted to you and it's building your character. Whenever you hurt this year from the pangs of life, remember that when Jesus was a man here on earth, He hurt too. Jesus wept. Jesus was tempted, He was betrayed; He even asked His father to take the cup from Him if it was His will. There will be many things you'll need to do that you don't feel like doing this year...go to the cross. Pick up your cross. Lean on Jesus, your Friend and Counselor, to help you bear your cross and make your load lighter. And if you ever feel hopeless this year, like the earth is splitting around you, know that Jesus will reach for you just like He reached for Peter when Peter was afraid and started sinking in the water. Jesus will save you from drowning and then Jesus will walk to the boat with you. Study the feathers of the birds you see and keep the colors in your memory. Lift your face up into the sun when it's shining and close your eyes to feel its radiance for a moment. Put your hand on the head of your husband and your son, and bless them each day. Pray. And pray again. Pray in the quick moments between wiping a sweet yogurt covered mouth and the next load of laundry. Pray in the moments when it's evening and it's quiet and you finally sit down for the day. Count every good thing as a blessing from the Lord. Thank Him for things great and small. Thank Him for every detail that is good in your life, because it is all from Him. Watch every sunset you can, savor every kiss from your son and every time your eyes meet with your husband's. Rely on the wonder and beauty that God has created for us in this world to come through your eyes and fill up your soul. Be gentle when you feel gruff, be thankful when you feel fearful, be slow when you feel impatient, and above all seek to understand each season that you're in and finish each one well. You are the daughter of the God most high! Love, Hannah
Blessings,
Hannah
Daughter of God, Wife, Mother
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