It’s my birthday month. I love birthdays. Honestly, who doesn’t love a reason to eat cake?
Age, well that is a different matter. Age doesn’t usually bother me. I’m not one of those people who lie about my age. No judgment to those who do, but the thought of fighting gravity and the aging process is too exhausting. I don’t have the time nor the energy for Botox and expensive age creams. Full disclosure, this does not apply to the “natural” color of my hair (wink, wink). Everything else in my life can run its course.
I digress. Some birthdays have really hit me hard. I’m not talking about the typical 5 and 10 year benchmarks, but the survey ones. The first few times I have to check off the next level on a survey gets me every time. Moving to the 26-35 bracket was difficult. The 36-45 bracket was very difficult, but now, I have to check the 46-55 box. That’s a whole different ball game.
In the grand scheme of things, I know that 46 is not old and that I will always be much younger than my older sister (Love you Belle). I cherish the good, the bad, and the ugliest of days and how they have shaped me.
Birthdays allow me to reflect on the tapestry of life that God is weaving for me. Most days, it looks messy, but the finished parts are beautiful because of their messiness. Most importantly, I know that I am still being nourished and pruned by a loving Father.
Isaiah 43 repeatedly tells us to “fear not” because God is with us. He also calls us precious in His sight and tells us, straight out, “I love you.” Wow. Because He created me, formed me, and called me by name, I can trust Him.
I’m excited to see what God has in store for 46. If it’s anything like the rest of my life, I better buckle up for the ride. In the meantime, don’t judge me if I accidentally check the survey box as 45 for a few more months.
Reading Refuge
I loved the book Lean on Me by Pat Simmons. I was cheering for Tabitha Knicely and Marcus Whittington from the first chapter. My family had our own “Aunt Tweet” that we cared for deeply, so following this story felt genuine and authentic. If you’re looking for a good, sweet novel about families and neighbors, and sisters, and second chances, and forgiveness…this is it.
Savory and Sweet Endings
I’m all about easy cooking, but especially during my birthday month. This dinner can be made in 15-minutes if you have all the ingredients prepped ahead of time (I try to keep a stash of pre-chopped peppers in my freezer at all times). This is one of those meals that can handle lots of substitutions. Whatever is on hand goes in the pan.
Fiesta Chicken Fajitas:
Ingredients:
Chicken breasts or tenderloins
Chopped peppers of any color
Taco seasoning
Soft tortilla shells
Optional: Shredded cheese, rice, sour cream, guacamole, avocado, salsa, you name it-we’ve probably added it.
Directions: Cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Fry in a pan with butter or olive oil until browned. Add chopped peppers and taco seasoning. Stir and cook until everything is tender and yummy. Eat the mixture on soft tortilla shells, with rice, or alone. Add any toppings that make you feel festive!
