Gifts by Grace Alone
By Angela Posey-Arnold age 49 on February 2nd, 2009
Each year my birthday seems to get better and better. Years ago I measured the joy of my birthday by what I received materially. I can remember having miserable birthday because I did not get “enough” or “what I wanted” Poor spoiled pitiful me. Thank God as my life’s journey with Christ leading continues year by year, the celebration of my birth gets sweeter each and every year. I am no longer ever disappointed. This year was no exception.
Being born on Groundhog Day entices loved ones to call at sunrise to see if I saw my shadow or not. Puxatawnee Phil has nothing on me. Usually, his prediction and mine match. But this year he saw his, I didn’t. Personally, I think the poor little fella just wants to be left alone. Every year he looks more terrified as the jerk him out of his cozy hole and the flash blubs go off in his little face. Poor thing. In contrast I get to stay in my cozy pjs and talk to my dearest friends and loved ones.
This year my family provided an extra special surprise for me.They are all very sneaky. Knowing how I love church and Sundays, they showed up unexpected at morning worship service where I am resident pianist. My parents, my goddaughter, and my brother and his wife, and my husband took up an entire row—I was so surpirsed and so incredibly happy to have my family and my church family all in one worship service. Overwhelmed with joy and praise I introduced them to each other, “Church family, meet family”—my praise for the morning.
It is defintely a rare occasion to have my brother and I in the same worship service. For one thing he lives in Florida and I live in Alabama. The distance alone makes it a rare occurance. More than that, He is the Pastor of a church and I am resident pianist at a church. This pretty much books up all our Sundays. To have him and my sister-in-law come to worship with me was an extra special surprise and blessing.
My sister in law did take some pictures after the service—I will share them as she sends them to me.
Monday, Febuary 2nd was my actual birthday. My oldest dearest friends always remember to call me, send me cards, and make sure I know they remember me. What a blessing they are to me. Two of my best friends have been my friends since we were in kindergarten, long time. One of my dearest friends has been my friend for 30 years, and the other has been my dear one for 15 years.
For the last few years I have been so blessed to make some dear new friends. I am reminded of the song I learned as a child in Brownie Girl Scouts, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” It is very true. My new friends sent cards, emails, and one precious one wrote a poem for me. We are a group of Christian Writers. We have never met face to face but we are sisters in Christ and have a friendship bond that is very strong.
As writers, receiving a poem written from one of them is a precious gift of themselves. I would like to share it with you. She calls me Angel-a. Therefore, the space between Angel and a. She is a dear sister in Christ and an inspiration to us all.
Birthday Poem
by Kathy Tierney
It’s Angel a’s birthday, we celebrate she.
All who love her especially me!
Her talent terrific, she’s gifted too,
She blesses us all, me and you.
We share our prayers to lift her up
and ask the Father to fill her cup.
I know my heart in joy will raise
Thank you to Him with greatful praise.
Keep her safe Lord I pray
giving her a very blessed day!
This poem touched my heart so much. It is one of the greatest gifts I received this year, not only the poem but the prayers which accompany it.
Materially, I did get some things, but most important were the gifts of love I receieved. The joy comes from that.
On Monday friends and family gathered at the Blue Bird Café in Haleyville, Alabama. (our hometown). Many gathered and ate, laughed, loved, and fellowshiped. We held and loved on the newest baby in the group and shared memories while making new ones.
It was a wonderful time that will stay with us for a long time.
Some of our family could not be with us, but by the miracles of modern technology—they were there by blackberry and cell phone. We also took many pictures to remember the day and the time together.
Material items just don’t matter so much to me anymore. It is the joy of family and friends that make each birthday, each celebration more special. Oh and cake—cake makes it sweeter too. J
Happy Birthday to me. I thank and praise my Lord Jesus for making it sweeter as the years go by. Jesus is the joy that fills all our hearts—incredible awesome joy.
Valentines Day is next—yipyee. I don’t need candy and I don’t need roses or diamonds to complete my joy. Love is the menu of the day. Make it yours too. You’ll never be disappointed.
©Angela Posey-Arnold
