Where Did the Time Go?

I don’t know how it happened. Another birthday is here and sometimes I just wonder where all the time went.  Facebook has made it worse.  All the birthday wishes on my wall are so very much appreciated…yet, my facebook friends span such a huge chunk of time, that it really makes me wonder where it all went.  It seems like only yesterday when so many of them were singing happy birthday to me as we sat at our desks with cupcakes in front of us and the teacher leading the song.  It also seems like yesterday when some of them helped me celebrate my 21^st birthday…and my 30^th….and my 40^th at a huge party at my house, my very own house. 

Sometimes I miss those days, but most of all, I love where I am.  I’ve grown up, but my husband says I’m still only 3.  I love life.  I love the simple, cute things that make my smile, sometimes loudly.  I love where God put me….the family he placed me in, the husband he had me wait until I was in my 30s to find.  I love the people, pets and things He put in my life. 

Thank God, I still feel like I’m young, but I’ve crossed that “middle-aged” line.  It really is true…youth is wasted on the young.  They’ll never learn.  But I have.  Happy Birthday to me…and thanks to everyone who makes getting older=getting better.

It's Never the End of the Story

On Easter weekend, we probably heard that the Crucifixion wasn’t the end of the story and then we celebrated the Resurrection.  But happily, the Resurrection wasn’t the end of the story either. 

While the disciples were locked in a room, Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.” But that wasn’t the end of the story…Thomas wasn’t with them.  Thomas said he would not believe unless he examined the nail marks and put his hand in Jesus’ side.

Not the end of the story.  A week later, Jesus came to the disciples again, only this time Thomas was there.  After seeing Jesus, Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God.  Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20: 28-29)

But that’s not the end of the story.  Jesus was talking about US!  We have not seen, but yet we believe.  Over 2000 years later, here we are.  No matter where you are in your journey, no matter what you’re facing... it’s not the end of the story. Because you believe in Jesus Christ, it’s never the end of the story.  God is with you, leading you, loving you and encouraging you to continue in His story.  Believe.  This is a story that will never end.

A Super Day

Super Bowl Sunday takes on a whole different meaning when your team is in it.  I've been a Giants fan since I was a little kid.  The memories run deep.  To non sports fans, it really is hard to explain.  The attachment to a team must seem ridiculous to those who have no team...or interest in sports.  But to me, there's nothing like a Giants Super Bowl win.  I've experienced four of them in the past 25 years and they all come with their own set of crazy stories, unlikely heroes and fantastic finishes.
This latest victory had a lot of similarities to the last one....me with a pillow over my head unable to watch...me with that feeling in my stomach that is universally known by Giants' fans....me on my knees during the final minute of play...Eli Manning hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy and winning the MVP....and the most important thing of all....the phone call from my dad immediately after the game's final play.  Of all the things that happened during the game, the phone call with my dad, however brief it might've been, is the things that means the most.  The Giants are the one team that we agree on, the one team we both root for...the one team that we have no arguments about....the one team that brings to mind the other whenever it's mentioned.  So as time expired, I knew as I was in mid jump and mid scream and beginning my celebration, my phone was going to ring and it would be my dad.  That's what a sports team can do...it can create a bond between people...related or not...that runs through a life and creates memories that will never be forgotten.
I loved that game...because I loved the outcome.  It was an unbelievable game. Again. Right, Dad?