Happy Birthday to You!!!

Short Reflection...like, really short

When someone has a birthday or if a couple is celebrating their one year wedding anniversary, I like to ask the question, "What did God teach you? Or what did you learn this past year?" Most people haven't given this much thought, but the ones that reflect most about their life always has some kind of gem. My birthday was July 14th and I guess it's my turn to ask the question. So....self, what did you learn this past year?

This year, as some of you may know from past post, was a very difficult season for my family. Dealing with the passing of 2 children that were close family friends and my Mother-in-Law's diagnoses of Small Cell Lung Cancer, this has to be one of the most difficult times for us right now; But God is so loving and He continues to reveal Himself through it all. As for the question, the one thing I learned this past year is to love and appreciate every moment I have with people. Obviously, this is not a new concept. But,how many times have we interacted with someone and really considered how much God loves them or how much they really mean to you? Every relationship God brought in to my life had meaning; regardless if our meeting was for 5 seconds and never again after that. Never, in the midst of conversation, have I thought about those questions. Never. Until this past year. I was reminded of a very important concept when James wrote, "yet you do not know what will happen tomorrow! For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes" (James 4:14).

Oh how life is to short and unexpected for us to think we can live a full and involved life with each other. Since this verse has been highlighted in my life, conversations have been more of a "ears-only" conversation for me. The more I listen, the more I can understand a person's story and how life shaped them. The more I'm able to listen, the more I'm able see God's love for His people. I've never felt so much care for a person while listening; this is like some next level type stuff. I urge you brother (or sister) the next conversation you have, to think just for a second, how much God loves them and how much they mean to you. It will change how you talk, view, evangelize, do ministry, counsel, or interact with people. The new way I see people should be the way God views people, flawed but still loved. Life on Earth is definitely a gift and God wants us to enjoy His creation, not worship it. My prayer, if you try this, is that you grow more in love by listening. That you learn to appreciate the time you spend with people, not who and how long. Just a little something on my mind this year. Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

Thank you God for another year and another opportunity to spread and share your love. Father, I pray that you continue to refresh my heart, eyes, and mind to be like your son, Jesus. Thank you for stretching me beyond my comforts to show me how great you are. Thank you for another year of merciful discipline to shape me into the husband, father, and leader you want me to be. God, I ask that you continue to use me as vessel of your Word and love. Allow me to Glorify you in my weakness, my strengths, my failures and successes. To God be the GLORY FOREVER! AMEN!