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!