The Best Birthday Gift

We just got back home from three glorious days in “The City That Never Sleeps.” We stayed in the fabulous literary and historical Algonquin Hotel, applauded 4 musicals and 1 cabaret show over the course of 36 hours, ate my birthday brunch at Tavern on the Green in Central Park, gawked at two celebrities, visited with a dear friend who lives in the city, toured Teddy Roosevelt’s birthplace, shopped at the Strand Bookstore (18 miles of books!), and even rode the subway. It was quite a trip. Makes me wish I could turn 40 every year!

But the most amazing thing I discovered on this trip was how much my husband and I have matured over the past few years. We are more confident in ourselves and each other. We aren’t as uptight, aren’t as worried that we won’t meet each other’s unspoken expectations. We were able to relax and enjoy being together in spite of circumstances—perfect or otherwise. Yet this maturity, I realized, isn’t simply due to physical age. It is the work of the Lord in each of our lives—His often painful molding us into the image of Christ. We certainly haven’t arrived. This we know. And that is just the attitude we need to maintain in order to continue to grow in our relationships with the Lord and with each other.

So while I had an almost idyllic 40th birthday celebration in New York, the best present I received this weekend was from the Lord. He allowed me a glimpse into the amazing work He has done in my heart, my husband’s heart, and our marriage over the past 19 years.

And ok, I’m 40 now. I’m ready to settle down and WRITE!