Birthdays

Birthdays. When you are a kid you can't wait for them. There are even birthdays which bring certain rights and privileges that are highly anticipated. Some birthdays are so big that we have large parties and even request no gifts. But, what about the birthdays in between? Why is it that we look forward to these annual celebrations for a while and then seem to dread them? What is it that changes so we begin to make a big deal out of them again?


A little over a year ago, I turned forty. I will admit there were (and are) days that bothered me, but it shouldn't. I hope it doesn't bother Jeff. Tomorrow is his fortieth birthday. We met as kids in our Youth group at church, but we didn't really get to know each other and begin dating until he was sixteen. I think he is as handsome as when he was sixteen. I think he is smarter and wiser than when he was sixteen (because you know that I was really paying attention to his brains back then!). I think his sense of humor is even wittier than when he was sixteen (although it may be a bit more sarcastic). Obviously he has matured and changed for the better in many ways over the years, but what has improved the most is my appreciation for him. He doesn't just love, take care of, and pray for me, but also our children, his grandmothers, parents , and mother-in-law. He is always concerned for his brother, nephews and niece, sisters and brother in-law and other various family members. He is devoted to his friends and church family, worries about his employees and genuinely cares about the lives of his customers. He doesn't think he is kind or compassionate, but he doesn't see what I see. I see that the Lord has placed in him a love for people that only He can give. No, Jeff, on his own isn't really all that compassionate or patient with people, but because he allows the Lord to work in his life, he can be those things. Maybe that's what I appreciate about Jeff the most. He is just Jeff, a man who knows that without God he can do nothing. He is humble and I can appreciate that every day of my life with him.

Happy birthday, Jeff! I hope that we get to celebrate many of the in-between birthdays together as well as the big ones!