I don\u2019t know about you, but I am constantly being bombarded with society\u2019s preoccupation with youth and beauty.\u00a0 I find the amount of grumbling over aging out of balance with honoring God.\u00a0 Sure, I struggle with the same issues as others my age:\u00a0 wrinkles, flab, sagging skin, weight gain, fatigue, sore muscles, gray and thinning hair, loss of memory, failing eye sight, desiring comfortable shoes, and so on\u2026\u00a0 but birthdays don\u2019t bother me!\u00a0 In fact, I look forward to my birthday every year!\u00a0 Today is no exception!\u00a0 It\u2019s a day to thank God for knitting me in my mother\u2019s womb, to reflect on where I\u2019ve been and pray about how He is yet to use me and to admit nothing counts without God.\u00a0 Dwelling on youth doesn\u2019t change the fact that death is inevitable.\u00a0 Whether I die today, tomorrow, in a few years or in many, my future is secure in Christ and in Christ alone.\u00a0 Ultimately, the condition of my heart is what really matters to God.\u00a0\u00a0 Am I reflecting His character?\u00a0 Am I doing things His way?\u00a0 \u2026for His glory?\u00a0 While I am still here, He has work for me to do.\u00a0 With the adoption of our two boys, there will indeed be work!\u00a0\u00a0 I believe with all my heart that if God called us to it, He will equip us \u2013 even at our age!\u00a0 I am sometimes overwhelmed with emotion over the tedious process, the thought of having kids again, and the new challenges we will be facing, but I have enough life experience to know God is in control and He will guide us like He has before.\u00a0 He is faithful.\u00a0 His promises are trustworthy.\u00a0 Today I pray that my perspective always be God-centered.\u00a0 May I set my heart on the things that count for eternity and in all humility glory in the Lord as he continues to renew me day by day in wisdom and understanding!\u00a0 Praise you, Lord, on this, my 51st birthday!!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"