Get Used To It!

What a wonderful week it has been!

Yesterday was my 39th birthday. I usually don't make too much of a fuss about my birthday. I'm not one to seek out much attention and I don't feel too comfortable with all of the fanfare that usually accompanies such days. While I love doing it for others, it's never really been something that I felt I needed.

However, I was showered this year with so much love, good wishes, and compliments from loved ones that I experienced a greater blessing than I have in years past (at least in recent memory). This is not to say that my family has snubbed me in past birthday celebrations, or that there has failed to be a party of some sort or another. But, with the help of technology (facebook) and being surrounded by a loving family and great friends, my experience left me feeling extremely blessed for the life God has given me and the ability to share it with such wonderful people.

Too often we take our relationships for granted. In times of celebration (birthdays, weddings, baptisms, graduations, etc.), when we gather with our family and friends, we are reminded of how valuable those relationships are and how much joy they bring to our lives. We are reminded of the good those relationships inject into our lives and the love that keeps us going from day-to-day. This week, I was reminded of how many people care and how many people God has placed in my life that have influenced me and formed me.

With all of that said, I received an email this week that I have to share with you. I pray that it brings a smile and joy to your life today and throughout this week. (Thank you Renee Kindell for sending it to me!)

"A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbour if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he wouldn't notice her. The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbour and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy 's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week.

Finally she said to Timmy , 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?' Timmy nonchalantly replied, 'Yeah, I know who she is.' The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?' 'That's just Shirley Goodnest ,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.' 'Shirley Goodnest? Who is she and why is she following us?' 'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mum makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'"

Are you used to God's goodness and mercy following you? How much different would your life be if you" got used to" God being with you on your journey through life? What a great example for living - with the knowledge of God's grace and goodness surrounding every step we take! May the goodness and mercy of our God follow you in the form of family and friends all the days of your life. Enjoy the journey and just get used to it!

Loving God, may I never tire of Your blessings and may I never take for granted the goodness and mercy You bring into my life. If I forget, O God, remind me of those who love me and surround me with those who bring Your joy! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.