stone altar

Published on by Dawn Marie

It’s my birthday!

(As well as, Caralyn’s Wedding Day & Fr. Dan’s Marathon too!!)

Those of you who know me personally already understand that

I LOVE my birth DAY!

But even more so this year!

Because it provides me ONE full DAY to partake in all manners of my 2023 Word of the Year:

MERRY!

Yes, there will be great merriment today!

Some quiet & some loud,

but regardless the volume level it shall be made

unapologetically!!!

Traditionally, in the days or weeks leading up to my birthday I will take time to look back on what has occurred over the course of the past year of my life. I look through my journal writings from the previous year to discover: What great moments have I experienced? What was postponed? What new knowledge have I gained? What was lost? More importantly what should I take with me into this next year?

THIS year’s re-examination was exceptionally rich with collected wisdom & self-discovery!

As a consequence, MY BIRTHDAY WISH is that perhaps by sharing some of it today there’s a nugget of wisdom YOU are meant to receive too! Just like a piece of the cake, if you will. Which is exactly why I will be praying for YOU as I blow out my 2023 birthday candles!

Dear Birthday-Self,

Not long ago I remember asking myself “Can life get any better than this? WILL life get any better?” It’s been quite a process for me to answer this question fully. Despite the brokenness of the World and yes, even within my own family unit, it actually is better! Over the course of this past year Cuppycake and I have deepened our commitment to one another, we’ve grown in our prayer life and my personal relationship with the Lord is deeper than ever and my hunger for God’s Word is the greatest it has been in 50+++++++ years. Yes, it has gotten better than I’d ever hoped for!

My wonderful Spiritual Director & a friendly therapist clarified how, sometimes painfully, we realize that our sufferings, deep and wrenching at times, are an integral part of our story. After all, we must be ‘crucified with Christ’ (Gal 2:20) in order for Him to live in us. And, we see too, that the little things of life are also so very important, for nothing has been left untouched in our human experience and everything has been given a role to play in the reconciling of the world – all of creation and every human heart – back to God himself. And I have discovered that if I need to suffer a little bit – so that other’s are brought back to Him – I am strong enough to do so…for love of Him.

See what I mean? Truly, some BIG stuff pulled-together for me this year! Which I will undoubtedly carry into the next year, along with some other smaller (yet equally as life-giving) nuggets too. Here’s a few of my favorites…

*It isn’t my responsibility to rebuild a bond I didn’t break.

*I use to think drawing away from other’s and becoming introverted was because I liked being alone, but it turns out I just like being at peace. I am very extroverted when I am around people who bring me peace.

(Therefore,) if I become distant it is because I learned my place with you.

*So many people love me. God does not want me to focus on those who do not. Because that is not what He does. God loves us ALL. Equally. (Me too!) But He always gives us the free-will to choose what we want. We each have the freedom to choose Him or to choose what-ever else we love more in the World. (Me too!) We must give everyone the freedom to choose; accepting it is their free will, but we must at the same time move forward – reclaiming our own peace while continuing to love & pray for them. Made in His image & likeness – me too!

*The best conversations are the ones where you don’t have to worry about what you say, you can just be you. Turd and all. Giggles.

*Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him. That is all the doing you have to worry about.

And if you do all of this dear Birthday-Self – at the end of the day your feet should be dirty, your hair messy, and your eyes sparkling! Which has been one of the best lessons of all!

These are the impactful lessons learned through an open heart guiding me more & more toward Him. I do hope anyone reading will please take as much as is helpful or discard what is not, as my personal birthday gift for you.…along with that slice of cake!

hugs n’ blessings to another wonderful year of learning and living!!

20 thoughts on “stone altar”

  1. A beautiful inspiring post. HAPPY Birthday.!!!!!!!!!
    It is mine also this month and for a few times in my life I thought I would not make this milestone in my life Eight decades.
    ONLY GOD! He has and is undergirding my journey.
    Your post today has inspired me to take your piece of cake and move forward o share my own later in the month. I consider you one of my dearly loved blogging friends and I value you.

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    1. Happy, holy, and healthy 80th, dear June celebration friend! I do verily hope you enjoyed your slice of the cake and I do hope you know how cherished you are to me in return!! 80 very special hugs and blessings have been wrapped up, just for you!!

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  2. The Happiest of Birthdays, dear friend. May you be filled with the blessings of
    Our Lord and His Beautiful Mother, and the love of family and friends on your special day, especially the hugs and kisses of all your littlest ones! Thank you for the words of wisdom and insight throughout the year…looking forward to even more I the year ahead!
    God bless Fr Dan today and the new couple who will join their lives together as one.

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    1. Amen! Amen! And Amen! It has been a wonderful celebration I didn’t want to see end, giggles. However, I know the Good Lord has mighty things in store ahead, and I look forward to embracing them with as many hugs as I can portion out. Please know how grateful I am for your presence in my life.😘

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  3. Happy birthday, Dawn!! Oh, my friend, this post gave me giggles, goosebumps, and lots of “Amens!” WE are indeed sisters! You shared so many things that are wisdom nuggets for ME. I taste the yummy cake (thank you~I’ll eat a slice of my strawberry pie I made just for YOU) and the sweetness and goodness of God that oozes through your beautiful spirit ~in and out! Do you know how you encourage me? I wish I’d known it’s your birthday! I do now! It’s going in my phone! May this year be your best yet~just look at what you’ve done and continue to do! The one thing that stood out great to me is something I do often have shared about ~typically, I’m introverted. I’ve “pruned” that which stunts me and stops my growing. I can be extroverted with those who DO give me peace. I love you, sister. I’m so happy God allowed me to meet you here on this side of heaven. You encourage and inspire me! ❤️💚 happy happy birthday! 🎁🎂🎊🎈 🙏🏻🙏🏻💚🍓🩷💙🎂⭐️⭐️❤️❤️

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    1. Thank you sweet Karla for the birthday well-wishes! And I am sincerely sorry for my delayed reply and thanks. I am tickled you enjoyed the cake, via strawberry pie…YUM!!! God continues to amaze me through you – the dots He connects and the petals of wisdom exchanged always leave me humbled by the grace He has shown to bring our paths together. May we continue to INSPIRE and ENCOURAGE one another on this journey of life we are taking….together!😉

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      1. It’s my pleasure, my friend. You never have to apologize for any delayed response. My life is “start and stop” right now so I understand so much! I love how you explained our “sisterhood”. How beautiful! Many hugs and much love! You make my heart and soul smile! 💛

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  4. Happy birthday!!! May God bless you with all the gifts you’ve received and continue to intercede for you in your journey here on earth!! Get Dirty!!!

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  6. I love this entire post! Happy Birthday 🥳
    I will take hold of these very precious words “it’s not my responsibility to rebuild a bond I didn’t break” either!!!! You know who I’m speaking of and its alright and I’m alright😊
    Thank you dear friend. You are a beeeeeautiful ray of sunshine in my life.
    💜

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  8. Hey, Hey, hey! I love your birthday too! Especially when you write like this to encourage all of us the way you do! Have an amazing year! It’s even gonna get better! Amen!

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    1. I adore your blog-site, Chandra! I am so grateful Mitch featured you so that others, like myself, could discover the beautiful lens into life you possess! Huge hugs to you for strolling through my site and taking the time to kindly reply. And I do hope you will do so, again!

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