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“Happy Birthday, my love,” he whispered to me this morning as I was coming to from a restful night’s sleep. He wrapped his arms around me and we just laid there in silence. The next thing I know we’re chatting and laughing and talking about our hopes for the day. I make a mental note of how humbled and thankful I am to be married to a man whose behavior and words so often resemble those of my Heavenly Father. Then with one last kiss, we’re up. And it’s time for breakfast and for another day to begin.

All I can seem to do while alone today is cry. They’re not “oh no, I’m getting old” tears, or regretful tears, or lonely tears. They’re drop-down-on-my-knees-and-praise-and-give-thanks-to-the-Lord tears.

This past year has been a restful year for me, and I’m just taking the time today to reflect upon that. I’ve been dancing through life this year with God, with my husband, with my work, and with most things. After several years of stress and heartache and pressure, this past year has been such a breath of fresh air. I’ve been able to live for the first time in many years.

This past year has also been a year of the chains holding me hostage breaking free. I no longer feel like I’m a slave to low self-esteem or sickness. I feel mentally clear, physically strong, and closer to God than ever before. Have you ever felt this way? Like you’ve been set free from years of bondage? This realization today has led me to lift prayers up constantly. How could I ever thank Him enough?

Today, my whole spirit is giving God thanks for an amazing year of spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, professional, marital, and relational growth. I feel confident that the Lord has given me this year to draw even closer to Him, so that whatever storm is headed our way, I will be able to look back and see how He has been faithful. Oh, how He has been faithful.

Thank you, Lord, for another birthday.

Image Credit: synx508