A Birthday Present

We seniors aren’t especially fond of tacking on another year when a birthday rolls around. Our fragile body parts remind us we are no longer invincible. My calendar tells me I need a tooth restored, surgery on two toes and removal of cataracts.

Today is my birthday. I woke up this morning thinking of ways to grow old gracefully but switched to thoughts of thanksgiving and, why not? I have been blessed.

My family arrived on Friday. Joyous faces filled my home along with fun food, laughter, games and lots of rich birthday cake. This bunch is a party in themselves.

Actually, my birthday celebration began last week. The husband invited me to drive up to the mountains with him and have lunch in our favorite town. With appetites satisfied, he dropped me off at the mall with a generous gift card and told me what every woman loves to hear: “Take your time!” That’s where I discovered a birthday present I wanted with all my heart.

While shopping, I accidentally backed into a perfume display and hit the jackpot. Amazing Grace! I discovered this light scent last year and bookmarked it in my brain as a must have. But, it’s pricey. I grabbed a bottle.

Amazing Grace in its pale pink pretty packaging reigns top of the list this year when it comes to birthday presents. Also, it confirms my 2021 word from the Lord: grace! I’ll be digging in my Bible with hopes to learn the accurate meaning of God’s amazing grace. Not the phony, copycat definitions of favor. God’s Word, my benchmark for truth, will help me figure it out.

Amazing Grace Perfume’s manufacturer, Philosophy, spews gibberish about this gem on the box. The message talks of life’s ups and downs and a need for grace to be able to make it through the day. But there’s a better philosophy; it dates back 2,000 years when Jesus made a way to God’s throne for believers.

The Cross, A Perfect Way

The reason grace is so amazing is because I can’t earn it. I can’t buy it. It is freely given from a Savior who laid down His life so I can be forgiven and access Heaven. Every morning when I spray a lavish mist of Amazing Grace and dance wholly into it, I will remember God’s great gift to me. Oh Lord, help me to remember to give grace freely to others as well.

Tomorrow my family will leave, every opened and read birthday card will be filed away and the cake will be a distant memory. However, the best gift-- Amazing Grace—lives on in sweet salvation.

A Memorial Day Reflection

Memorial Day is always noteworthy for me and my girls. Next Thursday marks the third year of missing their father, my husband. So many thoughts run through my mind. The journey of loss takes on various emotions. The strongest feeling, at first, was emptiness. In a split second, I would forget he departed forever. I imagined things I needed to talk to him about when he got back home. My mind is realistic now. He's not coming back. There will be no more times of sitting on the porch swing together on the front deck staring at the moon and the stars. He would tell me all he knew about the majestic night sky. I have so much I wish I could tell him, like the excitement of seeing our oldest grandchild make a decision to follow Jesus and get baptized on Mother's Day! And our little Amy, 11 years old, I wish he could have seen her on stage receiving her induction to the National Honor Society. Our daughters have their own ...

Mama's Lipstick

I always wished I could do things with my mom like shop in the mall, share makeup secrets or go to the movies and watch romantic comedies. My wish never materialized. My mama behaved like a tomboy. She loved baseball and pitched with a strong right arm. She could care less about the latest fashion or the latest movies featured on the big screen. She never polished her fingernails. One day after elementary school, I walked into the house to find my mom all dolled up in front of the bathroom mirror, foundation crème, powder, eyebrow pencil and rouge all over the counter sink. “Who are you?” I asked, thrilled to see my mama putting on the Ritz. Makeup in place and blotted, she immediately took it off. “I don’t like the way it feels,” she exclaimed. She retired in Arizona and protected her dry lips with a light rose lipstick, the color of natural lips, a step above ChapStick. She wore it a few tim...

Book Review of Biblical Minimalism and Give Away

What does minimizing look like? To the empty nester it may mean downsizing real estate. To the co-dependent, it may mean pitching some toxic friendships they tend to collect. I thought I had a handle on Biblical minimalism, but I wasn’t even close. Biblical minimalism is much more than cleaning out a drawer and discarding unwanted things into a box to take to the thrift store. In her book, Biblical Minimalism, Cheryl E. Smith defines Biblical minimalism as “a complete, whole person release of anything unlike Jesus, a letting go of everything that hinders us from following Him wholeheartedly and single- mindedly , and a relinquishing of all that brings us under bondage to this earthly, very temporary life.” The author gives us a visual of a whole pie that is divided into eight slices. Each slice describes our lives with areas to analyze to see if pruning or adjustment is needed. I won’t name them all, but one example is the “emotional ...

DUTAJanuary 31, 2021 at 11:28 AM
Happy Birthday Mary! Enjoy God's gift and your favorite perfume Amazing Grace!
The cake looks rich, and the candle bright and warming! Your family is a great Blessing.
Many happy returns of the Day!
Mevely317January 31, 2021 at 11:51 AM
Happy Birthday blessings, Mary! I'm so glad to hear your family feted you in the fashion you so deserve. I'm no expert, but guess Mr. God is looking down at you with a BIG smile on His face.
Kim @ Homesteader's HeartJanuary 31, 2021 at 7:54 PM
Awe....I love this! And Happy Birthday!!! And thank you so much for stopping by. I thought everyone had disappeared. LOL!
HUGS!
Kim
Creations By CindyFebruary 1, 2021 at 6:25 AM
What a precious post dear Mary. AMAZING GRACE from our Lord is amazing and I bet your Amazing Grace perfume is too! So glad that you had a wonderful birthday. They do tend to roll around quicker don't they ? LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
CherylFebruary 1, 2021 at 4:26 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, sweet friend! I am so thankful you had such a wonderful birthday filled with fun and surrounded by the ones you love the most. May the dear Lord bless this to be your happiest year ever and may He bless you with many, many more happy, healthy birthdays, in Jesus' name! Love and appreciate you so much!
shayndelFebruary 2, 2021 at 2:31 AM
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shayndelFebruary 2, 2021 at 2:34 AM
Hi Mary, Happy Birthday!! May you be a fragrant aroma in Christ as you wear the perfume and always!! Much Love and blessings , good health and joy unending on your birthday and many, many more!!!♡
RCUBEsFebruary 3, 2021 at 8:38 AM
Happy, happy birthday sister Mary! I don't think it was accidental that you discovered the perfume last year, only to be bought a year later. The Lord gave it and He always gives everything in His perfect time! Grace! We all need it! Especially at these tumultuous time! But what option do we have? Nothing but always focus on our Great Savior and His grace! Your aroma from life to life always increases my faith sister Mary. I have been AWOL from blogging but never in my prayers. I always keep you in my thoughts and prayers so I know the Lord is always there with you, no matter what fragile body parts need replacing! It's awesome you had a fun day with your family...God bless and strengthen you always sister Mary! Thank you for always sharing with us your love for Jesus! Love and prayers always.
BrendaFebruary 5, 2021 at 3:52 PM
Sounds like you had a lovely birthday Mary, and the perfume sounds lovely. Whenever I think of birthdays I never think of getting one year older, as we are only a day older than we was the day before :-}

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