Happy Birthday to ME!

I turned 28 a couple of days ago. Every year I realize just how fleeting time is. How small of a not-even-speck I am in eternity. But here I am.

I was blessed on Saturday by this verse I read in Ecclesiastes...

What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.
(Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 ESV)

28 years is not very long. In the scheme of things, it is smaller than a grain of sand and that is okay. God has made everything beautiful in its time. This is my time. Today, right now, he is making me beautiful. Through my husband, children and all the wonderful people he has placed in my life.

Sunday, I was given an extra dose of encouragement. A friend of mine had a beautiful idea to give me a card basket. Sunday morning I was graced with a basket filled with words from some of the people closest to me. In addition to that, a few other beautiful souls gave me a couple more cards and gifts. Their words and actions showed a care that is truly beyond words. As a mama it is easy to get lost in the necessary day to day. Allowing yourself to begin to believe the lie that your impact doesn't matter or even exist. 

"You is kind. You is smart. You is important." 

-Abiliene from The Help

Some of us need that little reminder. We are made for the valleys. Mountain tops are good but we are made for the valleys & most of our lives are spent there. (Thank you, Amanda & Ashley for inspiring this encouragement) If it weren't for all the day2day, mundane, forgotten moments, we would never reach the mountain tops. All the times I tell my girls, "You are beautiful." and remind their brother to, "BE KIND!" Leading up to quite possibly the best birthday moment I had all day when my son squeezed my neck really tight while tucking him and whispering in my ear, 

"You're pretty, Mama." 

(Another highlight would have to be when I called my mom and sang happy birthday to myself. Yep, that was pretty wonderful as well, haha!)

The mountain tops are good- really good... but it truly is all about the climb.  Many times valleys are talked about like a deep dark alley that you should stay far, far away from. In reality, they are beautiful creations and without them, the peaks wouldn't stand out. They wouldn't be special. 

Sometimes, they are deep. Sometimes it seems like you'll never get anywhere. I would encourage you to look around at all your valley moments. Embrace them. Each one is a stepping stone to the top.

This next year, I determine to enjoy my life. Take pleasure in everything, big & small. Rest in his good & perfect plan. Look to Him for my peace. Find JOY in the valleys and bask on the mountain tops!

Mamas reading this. 

Daughters, sisters, friends. 

Dads, sons, husbands.

You IS kind! You IS smart! You IS important!

(and for those that the grammar is just gonna drive you mad)

You ARE kind! You ARE smart! You ARE important!

Happy Tuesday!!!