Coffee Talk: My Birthday Reflections

Today started pretty much like any other day. I woke up for morning devotion and read Genesis 1 about men and women being image bearers of God. I figured this was as good of place to start as any, and also prayed Psalm 139:14 –

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (NIV).”

Here are a few random thoughts and blessings that made me extremely happy today:

• My daughter brings so much laughter and happiness into my life. When I greeted her on last evening after returning home from choir rehearsal, she asked, “Mom, do you want to hear about my day?” To which I replied, “Yes.” She proceeded, “Me and dad went to the store and bought you a card for your birthday. When you open it, it’s going to chap like this (demonstrates) and make a lot of noise. And dad bought you some clothes that you might get tomorrow or the day after. You want to hear what else we did at the store?” “No baby, I think you shared more than enough, how about you tell me what you did at school today…”
• I waited at one of my favorite spots, Panera Bread, on this morning to have a wonderful breakfast with one of my friends. They played jazz music that made my feel like I was in the Love Jones movie or maybe watching a re-run of The Cosby Show (maybe the one where Lena Horne sings to the Huxtables in the jazz club). I enjoyed the time spent with my friend as we talked about the gospel, Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation and how he redeems the toughest situations because he is just God like that!
• This is the only day of the year when my Godmother Jones sings to me. She called this morning to sing, “Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you…” (interrupts with, “And my point is…May God bless you;  may God bless…” 
• All of the texts, tweets, phone calls, emails, Facebook messages received from my family and friends (partially due to some encouragement from my husband I’m sure). The well wishes reminded me of all the wonderful people God has brought into my life.
• I had lunch with my hubby and we were served by a young African-American male. He had served us on a previous occasion where we learned that he is going to college, enrolled in the Army ROTC program, and works part-time. At the time we shared a few words of wisdom and encouragement. Today I asked him, “Why are you working the lunch shift?” His reply, “I was bored, so I called and volunteered to come into work.” I believe in our young people. In particular, I believe there is hope for our young African-American males. I told him that he made my day and we keep encouraging him by leaving big tips! 
• Between breakfast and lunch, I laughed at Roland Martin tweets. After lunch we laughed out loud at a movie.
• We took our daughter to the book store on this evening where we read books together as a family. When we returned to the car, someone had left a flyer that reads:

JESUS SAVES (REPENT) – I thought to myself, “Yeah, no kiddin…”

And followed with the scripture –

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (That’s the King James version for ya. Let me know if you need a translation.)

• I returned home to cook dinner with my daughter (while her dad went to church). We also jumped on the bed (which my parents never allowed me to do but hey, it’s my birthday).

That’s all for now since my hubby is being so secretive about the weekend. Aside from writing this blog, I accomplished absolutely nothing today (and a couple years ago that would have been a major problem for me). On today, however, I invested face-to-face time with people that I love and allowed others to encourage me. Can’t really put a price tag on those types of blessings.

You have made my life rich and I thank you. Here’s to many more years of growing in love together.

For Christ’s Glory, Natasha

© Natasha L. Robinson 2011