Find Faith, Hope, and Encouragement for Your Walk with God

I grew up in Tennessee where Dolly was a household name. I used to love to hear her laugh and listen to all of her songs, especially her “Coat of Many Colors” song. I remember listening to her and Kenny Rogers sing so much on my record that I knew exactly where all the scratches were in my record where the music would skip as I sang along. As I heard the news of her passing today, I watched generations impacted by her loss. My girls were in shock with the news-Dolly always seemed timeless, ageless-eternal. But none of us are and I love the video her nephew shared reminding us all that Dolly was a woman of faith and no longer in pain- we will see her again.

I think Dolly’s song about the coat of many colors was probably my first exposure to the story of Joseph. That’s right, you read it correctly. I learned about the story of Joseph from Dolly’s song. I remember hearing her share of the love that her mom put into every single stitch as she made her this beautiful coat. You knew that when she put it on she was wrapped in love and no matter how cruel the kids were at school she felt rich beyond measure because she was surrounded in love.

Another year, another birthday. Yesterday was a good day. Although my back is still limiting movement, I woke up to breakfast in bed, snuggles with the girls, slow walking and window shopping for furniture for our new home, and a surprise gathering of dear friends for dinner. Not a bad day at all. I have these little things I do every year on my birthday. I refuse to look at any text messages or answer any calls until Rob and the girls say happy birthday, I want to share it with them first. I spend the day thinking of how blessed I am to live and breathe another day, reflecting on the year, and spending time with my family. There have been years when I have been far from home either serving in combat or on military duty, but we always find a way to celebrate in any way we can-even if not on the exact day. It’s just what we do for each other and I am thankful for it. When God called to Jeremiah, telling him that “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV). God would say the same for all of us, He knew us all before we were born, He formed us in the womb. What a wonderful gift to have the breathe of life given to us by our Father. So, every birthday, it’s not only a celebration of a year, but thankfulness for all the God has placed before me. Thankfulness for Him creating me just the way I am and continuing to be present in my life.

I think I can say I have teenagers and everyone who has them or has had them will simply shake their head in understanding. No need to explain, just a shared understanding. This week was the first week of school in a new school and driving for the first time. It was the perfect storm of breaking routines and my girls like their routines. Overnight they went from sleeping in their own beds to being guest in a home, from sleeping until midday or early afternoon to rising before the sun, from mindless days to intense learning days, and if that were not enough, they get to wake up the next day and do it all over again. I get it, it’s a lot. Multiple times this week I had to be the “mediator” as Helena likes to call me. I had to remind them that how we look at things, how we approach things is our choice. We can seek to bring everyone into misery and make them suffer as we see ourselves suffering or we can recognize we are all going through this and lift up each other. We can lead with criticism and frustration or we can lead with love (LWL). “ A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35, NIV). God is very clear in His command for us-”love one another”.