a look back..

I have some cute new pictures from the day that I will soon get around to posting, but instead of uploading them, I took a look back over the archives of my blog. I had a call tonight to encourage me, and to let me know the topic to be covered in our Sunday School class over the course of the next few weeks. We are going to be covering David and Goliath in the context of overcoming giants in our lives. This prompted me to go back and remember what I had written about Max Lucado's book, "Facing your Giants" that I read several months ago. There is a link on this page to read a review, for anyone interested. This was a lifechanging book, and I am looking forward to a class that will be covering similar information. I was reminded again of God's way of dealing with the trials of our lives, and how that can be totally different from the world's way, or the way that seems naturally right to our own flesh.

I couldn't remember exactly when I read the book, so I ended up looking through several months of archives, and I was reminded of why I don't usually do that...because it really hurts, and I am not fond of pain! Tonight, we had a family birthday dinner at my parents house. We have been doing these dinners for years, nothing really new or different about this one..except that mine is the next one up, and I am not totally sure I am ready to face this birthday the same way I have every birthday for pretty much mopst of my adult life. I have spent every birthday since my 17th at least partially with one person..and I know that will not be true this year. As we sat at the table tonight for my sister Jamie's birthday...I realized how painful that might be...kinda like the look back at the archives.

Don't get me wrong..my day to day life has actually been pretty wonderful this summer. My kids are wonderful, and I enjoy every single moment with them. I have many friends, both new and old, and I am thankful to God for what each of them means to me. I have a loving and supportive family. I am truly a blessed person. This new "normal" in my life is generally pretty ok with me. It is just every once in a while...wow..I just feel it..and the pain nearly takes my breath away. It is about then that I get a phone call, that either encourages me, or makes me laugh!

So, I am still not exactly looking forward to this upcoming birthday..but I know that it will be fine..that I will be fine.