Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Birthday Joy!



Today is my birthday! Today I say that with joy and gratitude, not with reluctance. I don't expect gifts, except from my immediate family here in Denver. Yet sometimes I feel if I tell people it's my birthday they will feel obligated to do something for me. No need.

But I like my birthday. Good memories despite the fact that my parents weren't into celebrating with big parties. Maybe that's why I seem to overdo it a bit now. I am thankful to be alive and 46. I am so blessed with my life. I have a terrific family, lovely friends and a fulfilling relationship with my Creator.

I won a devotional contest at my writing group a couple of weeks ago. I thought that maybe some of you would be encouraged by it. It's called "I Like Pie."

I like pie. The creamy ones with tall fluffy meringue that reach up to the sky as if offering a bite to God. The rest of my family prefers fruit pies. So I don’t make pie often. In order to satisfy the tastes of everyone, I would need to make two. I don’t like pie that much.

But when we go to a restaurant like Marie Calendars, we order our individual pieces and everyone is happy with their portions. Contentment reigns as I dig into my banana cream and the guys eat up their razzleberry.

God deals in yummy portions, too.

Psalm 16: 5-6 says, “O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.”

As if He was a master baker of life-pie, the Father slices out a portion and puts it on my plate. He has given me just enough love, laughter, pain and purpose to fill me up.

Trouble comes when I start looking at other people’s plates. I see their pie and decide that it looks better than mine. Discontentment seeps in and I am hungry and miserable. But if I make the choice to enjoy my meringue and the creamy fruit beneath it and if I decide to be grateful, contentment wins. I am satisfied and full of God’s pleasure.

Nothing tastes better than a life of contentment. God’s portions are just right.


Today, on my birthday, my portion is more than enough. My plate runneth over!

6 comments:

Kay Day said...

Great devotional!
I love lots of kinds of pie!

Have a wonderful birthday!!

Joanna said...

Happy Birthday, Robbie! Hope your day is full of blessings!

Megan DiMaria said...

I hope you had a happy B-day and enjoy a blessed year!

A prisoner of hope,
Megan

PS: Great devo, good job!

Cheryl Barker said...

It's almost 11:30 here in Kansas so your birthday is almost over, Robbie. Hope it was happy! What a great devotional. It was a message I need to be reminded of from time to time. When I look at what's going on with other writers, many times I kick myself for not starting earlier, but I've got to rmemeber that God's timing is best and His plan for my writing is best for me. Thanks for the reminder!

Jan Parrish said...

I like pie too. My sister makes the best cherry pie in the world and it's spoiled me for all others.

Great devotional. Happy Birthday Robbie!

tonya said...

Happy Belated Birthday Robbie!!
Email me, and I will send you a card.
Love ya!