Happy Birthday to Me

Sep 18

Phew~ what a year. Neither young nor old, I am just glad there’s a continuous stream of joy that helped me through each passing day. The last nine months went by quite quickly for me, even though with the recent months seemingly slower. I suspect I am growing into the regularity of this slower lifestyle that slow seems mandate.

Or probably with the economy picking back up, people traveling and back to the “real work” got me feeling backwards, as if I am still staying in the lockdown days.

It got me thinking, about how adaptable we can be if we choose to abide and not fall into depressing complaints. Yes, change is so often uncomfortable. We tend to only move too quickly for results versus savoring the process.

To begin (again) out of our normal habits is usually challenging. You need your mind and body to be in alignment. That’s just how I am trying to get back into exercise since I stopped running regularly. I bought a new skipping rope, only to leave it sitting since I was knocked out by Covid. The recovery took longer than expected but I am getting well.

Last weekend, I celebrated my 37th birthday with knitted friends and family. This year, the celebration was intimate. My heart is warm to know the quiet prayers that have been over my life and SLC is seeing its fruit all in God’s good time.

The morning before my birthday weekend, God asked what if SLC was taken away from me? Will I still be pursuing Him? Will I make time to slow down intentionally? To hear about His dreams for me?

My heart broke, to know that I have missed His calling through my twenties when I was busy chasing dreams that were not meant for me. DaddyGod is still so faithful, His love for me has never lost sight of whom I was meant to be. I am grateful that He did not give up on me. The choice I made to walk in His calling, took me long enough to start but He was able to redeem and restore my life and purpose. Not a single day do I regret making this decision to leave a stable income for this.

Like Mary of Bethany who poured out her year’s wages unto Jesus’ feet. Her love story has impacted so many lives through generations and I bet she did not know of it at that moment in time when she decides to bring her alabaster jar to anoint Jesus.

When I reflect on Mary’s story, I thought about the many creators who spend their days creating heavenly content that has inspired me. Their creative downloads came from their sacrifices. Their time and commitment. I believe they resonate the same.

A motherly friend commented to me that she is amazed at how much time I have to abide in God’s presence. It is so true that as I reflected since 2018, spending most mornings so intentionally with God in His word has cultivated me into someone I almost could not recognize. Friends who knew me since a working adult, would not have believed that working on SLC has changed my lifestyle and most importantly how I have been set apart from worldly pursuits to this heavenly calling.

This is how we should be living as God’s children. I believe we have heavenly dreams that only can be fulfilled by God Himself. We carry responsibility to complete His mission; to bring His good news to the world (Matthew 28:19). We have a lifetime of purpose with Him. It is disheartening because sins distract us from His love for us. May we keep walking in His sight in order to bring His light into darkness.

Frankly, I do not know how far will I go but I want more of Jesus in my life. Thus, I have to make my own sacrifice. But the comfort is knowing that DaddyGod will not leave me nor forsake me. He is more than ready to overwhelm me with every form of Him grace. He will give me more than enough of everything – every moment and in every way. He will make me overflow with abundance in every good thing I do. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

I declare His promises over your life. All you have to do is receive His best for you.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.. Ephesians 2:8

Salvation is a gift from God. It is for anyone who believes. We are all a work in progress to become a better version of mankind. There is good in you and only God can expedite His goodness through obedience. By saying yes, means you are allowing Him to work on you and through your lifestyle of Christ-likeness, we can bring heavenly hope into this broken world.

So, here I am at 37, just a Jesus girl who has wholeheartedly received His love and in this life, I will do all I can to keep at it. So, if SLC is taken away from me today, I’d still recognise my true identity as His beloved daughter.

Let me end with this podcast conversation curated by Jenni Lien, founder of the YAY Project.

Doris Brougham,at age 12, she told God she would commit to serve in Asia. She kept her promise... and is still serving the Lord in Asia at 96! This testimony is a must watch.