It is my birthday today and I wanted a good long time with Christ this morning. This year has been full of beautifully running the race and watching Him love one heart after another to wholeness.

 

As I’ve been reflecting on our time together, ministry assignments, joys, and pains, losses and gains, I have to admit I have wanted to skip over my birthday for the last 10 years. This month carried with it some painful memories. Some of you will understand how timelines can trigger grief, and it has been the same for me for a very long time.

 

While I have seen the fruit of my deepest valleys and I have surely seen the goodness of God in the land of the living, I honestly, like many of you, still had some very real emotions that would emerge during this time of the year.

 

This year I noticed there was a change. A supernatural shift. A coming out of the cave if you will, and a burst of joy was tangibly evident. It’s a testimony to of His never-ending grace, and perfect timing.

 

I no longer winced at the month or birthday coming, but was excited to see what Jesus might give me as a personal gift.

 

Every year, He gives me a birthday gift no one else could give. This year it may very well be the restoration of what the locusts had eaten when it comes to the celebration of a birthday and memories attached to it.

 

In all honesty, this word is as much for some of you as it is for me. In His time comes some measure of restoration from pain and grief. While loss causes us to hide in caves, the coming plunder of a very real war beckons us to come out into the light again and watch the goodness of God restore your health and heal your wounds.

 

For me, it’s the best birthday gift and one that only He knew I needed as well as one only He could give.

 

I pray that this poem He gave me today embraces your heart and that as you read it today you’ll receive your own healing. God is not slack in His promises.

 

I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,” says the LORD. “For you are called an outcast— ‘Jerusalem for whom no one cares.’” Jeremiah 30:17

 

The Heart He Runs To…

 

I surely could have chosen an easier path

One without thorns yet clearer roadmaps

Where all was planned out and dreams were self-made

But I would have missed this God of grace.

 

With each coming year a new thing He shows

Through every dear trial and every heart woe.

I’m learning that still His palms hold my heart

And when storms do come, my doorpost is marked.

 

Covered I am by unmerited grace

Even when I’m in the darkest of days

For without repentance are gifts He adorned

Marked with my name before I was born.

 

Nothing I’ve earned He freely gave

Nothing deserved but ‘twas simply grace

How one survives without knowing Him

I am unsure when come raging winds.

 

One thing I know is mysteries abound

But glory to glory He does surround

A heart that is seeking merely to find

Is a heart that He runs to every single time.