The words “I Cherish You” were on a bouquet of flowers a friend brought for my birthday celebration this year along with a saying.
You see, I have always longed to have a surprise party given in my honor. It is not that I want to feel “important” by people’s standards but more just knowing people were coming together because they loved me and wanted to celebrate the me that God made. God made us relational beings and sometimes we get so caught up in ourselves not taking time for others.
The longing started many, many years ago when I recall some older friends of ours would have surprise birthday dinners. I always thought how special that would be. My husband says he could never pull off a surprise party because I would figure it out…I’m just too smart! 😉
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I think it was a ripple effect this year of having a graduation party at a local park for my youngest son and having an empty nest that made me think even more maybe we could pull off just having some people come together at a local ice cream place to celebrate me.
As my husband and I thought about it, he suggested maybe we could have a “make your own sundae” gathering and because I was still using only one arm/hand and couldn’t properly clean my house, the local park where we had my son’s party would work out well.
So, that is what we did. Thanks to Facebook with their “event” feature it was easy to go ahead and invite locals along with emailing and texting others.
My invitation explained I just wanted their presence not presents.
I did add that if anyone felt inclined to, I would appreciate a word of encouragement or knowing something they “loved” about me. Afterwards I did think, well…maybe I was a little presumptuous with that “love about me” part!
Much to my surprise it was great to hear at least a few people say what a nice idea it was to have a celebration like this when they first heard about it. (Or maybe it was the sundae they were really referring to! ;))
The “celebrate Christine” get together was just perfect making me feel extra special; that my life is important to others! People came to truly celebrate me. It was humbling when, at one point, everyone started singing Happy Birthday to me.
Yes, it made me realize once again how our lives matter; just being a simple, ordinary gal trying to live day by day for the Lord blessing others in whatever way I can.
Some of the crew that came to celebrate me!
It was a beautiful sunny, warm evening and the park was a great gathering place. My life was blessed with about 30 people coming out to celebrate me. It was so interesting to see that different people that I knew, actually knew others that attended, without knowing ahead of time that I was also a common factor. The saying that “it is a small world” proved very true that evening.
It was so cool that people I used to work with over 10 years ago and even longer came to join the celebration. Some people I hadn’t seen in over 3 years, some new church people, some old church people, friends and family came together in fellowship.
As I was trying to make the rounds to the different people, it was wonderful to see how the different guests who didn’t know each other ahead of time just started to fellowship with one another. Everyone seemed to be interacting, getting to know others and enjoying the evening.
The most special part to me was indeed people’s willingness to share what they thought was special about me or how I have touched their life. Many wrote special messages in cards that they gave me and some wrote a note on a poster board we had available.
Later that evening, as I opened the envelopes, one by one, tears came to my eyes as I read each note. What a true blessing to read how my life has impacted others because of Christ in me. Even a few people that could not attend the sundae gathering took time to email me what they loved about me. What a special blessing to me.
Isn’t it important to share with others the special impact they have on our lives?
We are all valuable and contribute to this world. Yes, each of our lives matter and has a purpose in God’s master plan.
The “I Cherish You” sign also made me think how God cherishes each of us too.
Doesn’t He let us know how much He loves us daily?
From the beautiful creation He made for us to enjoy~~ to the special family and friends He has placed in our path to help share this life with~~
He continually lets us know of His great love for us and how He cherishes us. He even sent His only Son to die for us!
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As I thought more about that special evening, it occurred to me how perfect the saying that was with the bouquet of flowers reflected in my life that night. It rang true in my life with thinking about each person that came to enrich my birthday celebration.
CHERISH every memory
LOVE every moment
EMBRACE every possibility
Yes, indeed, I do CHERISH every interaction and that night that is forever etched in my memory,
I did LOVE every moment celebrating the Christ in me,
And I am so thankful that I EMBRACED the possibility of celebrating me and am so thankful for all that EMBRACED me that night!
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As you go about life this week, keep that saying in mind….
CHERISH every memory
LOVE every moment
EMBRACE every possibility!
And, remember to let people in your life know how much you love and celebrate the specialness they bring to your life….even if it’s not their birthday! 🙂
O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O LORD, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long. –Psalm 71:5-8 (NLT)
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. –Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
I know I overload you with constant hugs and saying, “I love you” and “How did I get you?”, but I just want you to know how special you are to me! 🙂
Awww…thanks! As you are very special to me as well~~I love you too! 🙂
Very nice blog. I was sitting in my living room. When I first woke up every thing was fine. Things started to make me feel anxious I e. Without going into details …Remembering A mentally ill person who I didn’t really know very well who had made my life Very unpleasant nine years ago. I try to forgive that person but it keeps popping up in my head. Then the morning news started making me feel anxious. So I thought I’ll read Christine’s blog to cheer me up, so I did and some one wrote in a letter to you about how you enjoy a beautiful sky. So do I. That brought a happy tear to my eye. (It’s so dark outside as I write this. I can’t wait for the sunrise). I know that God wants me to be happy and not anxious but the devil wants me to be unhappy, and fearful of the future.
thanks for the blog….it cheered me up. It was good that I had the courage to ask you for your web site card that day.
Carm: I thank you so much for sharing that with me to really encourage and bless my walk with the Lord! I just love to continue to see the ripple effect of God and always His perfect timing, providing what we need when we need it! I, too, am so thankful you were in the right place at the right time to ask about a card considering we hadn’t even spoken to each other all weekend~~again, God’s perfect timing and courage on your part for sure! 🙂 I pray the sunrise renewed your Spirit this day! Stay tuned for next week…I was at the beach and experienced two sunrises which is unusual for me as I am more of a night owl! God’s Presence for sure~ Keep pressing on day by day clinging to God! He is working powerfully in your life and is always with you.
Christine,
As I was mulling this particular post over, the Lord quickened me and gave me a wonderful scripture which really ties into this. It’s from Philippians 2:1-4 (NKJV)”Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
How fitting that Paul starts off with relating being consoled in Christ and comforted in His love! Then he adds fellowship with the Spirit along with affection and mercy. Next, he includes fulfilling his joy by being like minded, having the SAME LOVE, being of ONE ACCORD, of ONE MIND. The Spirit ALWAYS wants to do what is in perfect unison with the Father’s heart. Additionally, the fruit that naturally manifests as a result is the SAME LOVE, bestowing Godly affection and emulating mercy. These are perfectly aligned with the character of God. God wants us to be in perfect unity with each other, because without unity there cannot be a body of Christ operating in harmony and peace; these too are characteristics of God.
God WILL NEVER do something that is contrary to His nature! So, if something/someone is causing divisiveness, then it’s pretty apparent there will be an element of chaos. And God establishes perfect order. If there’s even a speck of chaos added into the mix, it will eventually grow into something much larger and completely out of whack.
Being In Christ establishes the divine order within the body of Christ. It starts vertical (on an individual basis) from us to God and then it flows perfectly and naturally to a horizontal between us to others. Without the vertical in perfect alignment, something is going to probably start stinking up the joint (which most likely will be our attitudes.) If my thoughts are founded on the selfless eternal values of Christ, then my attitudes and ways of presenting myself are going to reflect this. Likewise, if my thoughts are all about me and planted on my selfish desires, then it’s going to start a raucous.
This is why Paul exhorts the importance of not letting anything done from selfish ambition. When my intentions are Christ focused and Christ centered, then my motives will follow into motion (actions) that properly emulate the character of Christ. When my pride gets in the way, it’s a certain recipe for disaster. That’s why Paul tells us to get our pride out of the equation by esteeming others and placing their interests (as long as they’re healthy) above our own interests. We are to give precedence to others and put their benefit before that of our own.
To truly cherish someone means that we value and esteem them with the SAME LOVE and SAME ATTITUDES that we know Christ will emulate towards them. If we are looking to build up others versus attempting to build upon “self” then we will be building a solid foundation that has the mindset of eternity intact. Building up others adds to the value of the body of Christ as a whole. Helping others to be more like Christ is a really good way to help the body of Christ. However, our attitudes must reflect that Godly character that will direct them towards Him, versus deflect (which would cause them to walk away.) Cherishing another individual can be made easier if we remember it like this: cherish others in the SAME way you treasure Christ. Invest into their lives in the SAME LOVE and SAME ATTITUDES that you know will give the most Glory to God in every aspect of their lives. Store your treasures in Heaven by storing into the lives of others the values and principles of Christ which will last for eternity.
Many blessings to you as you read this. ALL GLORY, HONOR and PRAISE goes to Him. He’s the source of ALL wisdom and inspiration that leads to fulfillment and abundant life in Him. Shalom.
Wow, Christopher! As always your insight and parallels with Scripture is so enlightening. Yes, I so agree with what you shared… That is so perfect! As always, thanks for faithfully reading and helping me see even more! Peace and blessings to you! 😇