More Than a Candle: Reflections on a Birthday

 

Birthdays have a way of making us pause and reflect. Not just to celebrate, but to look around at the life that's unfolding—sometimes quietly, sometimes with fireworks.

This year, more than anything, I've witnessed God's faithfulness woven through ordinary days and extraordinary moments alike. My intimacy with Him has grown tender and transformative, gracious in ways I never expected. Obedience hasn't always come easily, but it's cultivated a patience in me that reaches far beyond my own understanding. Through seasons of hardship, He has anchored me with peace and comfort, whispering again and again that I'm never alone.

I've felt the stirring of new chapters—some unsettling, others thrilling with possibility. Changes are unfolding across many areas of life, and even as I face the unknown, my heart finds rest in God's proven faithfulness. I'm learning to trust Him more deeply with my family, my children, and the intentional rhythms of daily life—not to meet others' expectations, but to walk faithfully in what He's called me to do.

Each year brings sharper awareness of how fragile and beautiful it all is. The moments that felt like failure often became fertile soil for unexpected growth. The quiet seasons of faithfulness—when no one was watching or applauding—have proven to be among the most defining.

This birthday, I find myself asking different questions than in years past. Not "How far have I come?" but "What legacy am I shaping with today's choices?" Not "Did I get everything right?" but "Did I love deeply, lead with humility, and stay attuned to God's voice?"

I'm still seeking clarity about my purpose in this season, and He meets me faithfully in that searching. The answers may unfold slowly, but His peace? That's already here, steady and sure. When I look back over this year, I see the unmistakable fingerprints of His grace marking each chapter.

So whether this year finds you in a season of questions or celebration, quiet growth or bold new beginnings—may you discover peace in His presence. May you trust that you are becoming exactly who He's calling you to be, even now. And may we continue choosing to build lives that reflect God's goodness in both the monumental moments and the beautifully ordinary.

Thank you for walking this journey alongside me. Let's keep moving forward—with grace, with courage, and with unshakeable hope.