It’s today!
I wake up this morning – a thirty year old zombying toward the coffee pot, my good good husband sitting at the dining room table working on lawyerish things, and my boys sleeping beneath the hum of a box fan. It’s just a regular morning-glory, are-we-out-of-toilet-paper, dishwashing day, and I am thirty, and I am glad. I’m officially an “older woman,” who urgently needs to learn to love better and to fight like my Daddy’s watching. I’ve got to keep that little girl in me close enough to the surface that she’s peaking out my eyes, faith-strong, and imagining a high ride on eagle wings.
I’ve got to remember what battle this is – the nonsensical – where the seven walks around Jericho tumbles walls, where I armor up in my favorite pair of flip-flops, wear the Gospel invisibly wrapped at my knobby ankles, where I walk in Peace, where Seth says I’m beautiful, and I learn to believe him.
I’m thirty, so I make an inventory of my weapons: the burning coals of kindness; the nonsensical love for the stinky people asking for money outside of stores or begging for cereal from my high chair; the song that reminds me how purely God cleans; the Words: “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
In my thirties I want to see wild horses, grape vines, and monster whales, but if I’m going for JOY, I want my thirties to be Wide Open Singing, over my babies, over my crumbly counter tops, and over my forgiveness issues.
I was wondering if you would sing with me? Will you start in prayer for this new website, (In)Courage, today? Would you sing blessings over the stony hearts that might go there for truth? I want us to fight by singing – because I’m thirty, and today we’re all a little closer to home.
——
Happy Happy Birthday, also, to one of the dearest souls ever slipped into people skin. Happy Birthday, Ann Voskamp. You don’t fit here in this world. You’re real beauty. I’m grateful that He’s sharing you with us.
Tweet with me? I’m Amberrunsamuck.
- August 10, 2009
- 27 Comments
- 0
- invisible, really loving people
Erin
August 10, 2009hApPy BiRtHdAy!!! I love you. ERIN
Your Husband
August 10, 2009HaPpY bIrThDaY!!!
You know I love you, right? Have a great day.
Aunt Pam
August 10, 2009Hippo Birdie to Ewe!
Hippo Birdie to Ewe!
Hippo Birdie Deer Amber!
Hippo Birdie to Ewe!
:-) Happy Birthday Amber! I love you!!
Aunt Pam
Amber
August 10, 2009Oh my goodness, Pam! This is funny. Seriously, coupled with Daddy's side of the fam, it's no wonder that I'm hopelessly the goofiest person in the world.
It's cool that I know you remember my first birthday.
Whitney
August 10, 2009Love this!
You are so great. Happy Birthday again. You deserve the best!!
Date soon!! :D
Angela Nazworth
August 10, 2009Happy birthday! My younger sister turned 31 today! A good day. And (in)courage is live---woo-hoo
Cassie
August 10, 2009Happy Birthday! This is a beautiful post!
Jane Anne
August 10, 2009Happy Birthday, friend! I hope you day is full of simple pleasures and that you feel extremely loved.
Lora Lynn
August 10, 2009So will you write my "I turned 30" post for my blog in two weeks?
let me know how it feels on the other side. I've got to prep myself.
hugs to you!
Monica
August 10, 2009Happy Birthday!
I love your writing...I got lost in the words!
L.L. Barkat
August 10, 2009Hey there... happy, happy birthday. (You too, dear sweet Ann, if you are reading this).
I'm really looking forward to your hall poem, should you find one. Just leave your link in my comment box so I don't miss it. :)
brittney
August 10, 2009Happy birthday!
PS I think your paragraph for Ann applies to you as well.
Secret Agent Mama
August 10, 2009Thirty... the thirties...have been my best! I wish the same for you..
Julia
August 10, 2009Happy Birthday Amber :)
Sue Sue
August 10, 2009Happy birthday, sweet daughter-in-law. You bring joy to so many. May your day be filled with giggles and hugs!
Minnesotamom
August 10, 2009Happy Birthday, Amber. Sounds like 30 is good so far!
Jenn
August 10, 2009Happy birthday to one of my favorite bloggers! I love your site - keep writing Amber, you are so inspiring.
angela
August 10, 2009happy happy. tra la la!
i hope your heart feels full to bursting when you lay your head down tonight.
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting
August 10, 2009Happy happy birthday, you wonderful woman, you!
Barbara Schwenk
August 10, 2009Happy Birthday Amber!!
On your birthday I wish you much pleasure and joy;
I hope all of your wishes come true.
May each hour and minute be filled with delight,
And your birthday be perfect for you!
Jennifer
August 10, 2009Happy birthday! I will sing with you!! Wasn't the prayer meeting/chat this morning amazing?? What a great way to start the day... it was great to be part of it with you.
Kathleen
August 10, 2009Happy birthday, Amber. :)
Kimberly
August 10, 2009Happy Birthday!
Emily M
August 11, 2009Happy birthday!
Jo@Mylestones
August 11, 2009You can't hear me, but I'm Wide Open Singing at the top of my lungs.
Happy birthday!!
Sus
August 11, 2009Happy birthday with lots of love! You're a gift. Sus xoxox
Lisa
August 19, 2009Happy Birthday. I just found your site through (in)courage and I am excited about it. I will be turning thirty this week, have two young boys 3 and under and am ready for another. It is nice to meet someone with a passion for Christ who is also in a similar place on this faith journey. Thanks for your encouraging words! I am looking forward to reading more. ~ a new blog follower, Lisa