Today is my birthday. As we grow older, birthdays seem to mean less and less. But every year I stop and look back at my life. All I’ve accomplished. All I have been through. And this year, that leaves me thinking of you.
You see, we all have our own stories. We all have different experiences, different pasts, and different presents. But we all have a lot in common too.
So today, I want to share some of my story.
The Story of My Life… and yours
As I was thinking about what to share I thought of a lot of things I could share…
I could tell you that I am a cancer survivor, that I have a prosthetic eye, and tell of the teasing I endured as a child because of it. I could focus on the guilt I felt from my parents’ divorce. The shame I felt after being sexually abused by my step-father.
I could tell you about how my first husband cheated on me and then left me for the other woman.
I could tell you that my son was born with cancer and will most likely be legally blind before he turns 18.
I could share a story of emotional and physical abuse.
It could be a story of hurts and heart-aches.
It could be a story of my own sins and failures.
I could focus on how horrible I am at cleaning house, or my fear of public speaking.
I could tell you about all the times I have let my anger get the best of me.
But my story is really the story of Jesus.
It’s the story of how no matter what my life looked like — whether I was a victim or a villain — Jesus loved me through all of it and considers me righteous in spite of it.
And the really awesome thing is, whether you see it or not, that’s the story of your life, too.
Whether we are a victim or a villain, Jesus loved us through all of it & considers us righteous despite of it. Click To TweetEach of the experiences I shared above was enough to knock me off my feet. Each of them has brought me down. But because of Jesus, I didn’t stay down.
Because of Jesus
Because of Jesus, I was able (I am able) to get back up. I can dust myself off and keep moving forward. Not because I am a strong woman (I’m not), but because of Christ.
My strength comes from knowing that this world is not all there is, and it’s not about me. No matter what happens in life, I know that Jesus is king. And I know my purpose is to honor Him.
My life up to now, it has all been about learning about God’s goodness. It’s been about seeing the gospel in action and learning what that really means.
So as this birthday comes and goes, I pray that my years are not about me at all. I pray that Christ can use my struggles and successes to bring Him glory. Because there will come a day when I will run out of birthdays. When this world fades away, and I don’t want to leave a legacy. I don’t want people to honor my memory. I want them to remember how great God is.
As I look forward, I pray that the theme of my life wouldn’t change. That it would all be for Jesus.
That’s my birthday wish.
That my life would point to Jesus.
As her birthday comes and goes, Heather is sharing her birthday wish… Click To Tweet
No wonder you’ve got such a ministry of encouragement! God indeed gives us the power to be overcomers and sets our feet back on the path when we slip. Have you shared your faith testimony in your writing? I’d like to read it. God bless you on your birthday, Heather. Thanks for being candid…to God be the glory!
Thanks, Cristine! I have shared my testimony, but it’s been a while. I should do it again. Thanks for bringing it up!
Happy Birthday, Heather! You have my vote!
Thanks, Sheila! I appreciate it.
Happy Birthday, Heather! I voted for you the other day. You are an encourager. May God continue to bless you.
Thanks, Sylvia!
I am so sorry to hear all that you have been through, Heather, but praise God that He is the Victor in your life! Thanks for writing and ministering to others this way. God bless you on your birthday.
Amen! My past is simply my past. It’s a testimony of God’s goodness. No need to be sorry, I am thankful for every situation God has brought me through.
Heather, all of our stories are different and most of them involve some sort of disappointment or pain, but it seems in our brokenness that Christ becomes fully ours. Your words are a blessing. Keep writing.
Thanks, Amy!
God is using your story – and all of our stories – for His purposes….
Amen! Thanks for stopping in, Andrea.
What a great reminder. Everything in our lives boils down to one Person – Jesus.
Yes!
Heather, that is a story that can only motivate. Every day everyone exchanges the pleasantries and the tradition, How are you, and we always answer good or fine. We all know how often we “lie” about. Since I have started listening to Dave Ramsey I always love how he answers this questions, “better than I deserve”. YOu have taken this role in your daily life and WOW! I am envious of this and I truly strive each day to remember the love of Jesus and he sees our heart, not our past, and that is why we have faith in each day! AND – Happy Birthday! The day that God introduced you, one of his own, to the world! 🙂
Thanks, Robie! I love the reminder that Jesus sees our hearts, not our pasts. So thankful for Him!
So good, Heather, and so inspiring. Happy birthday, and may your “wish” come true!
Thanks, Michele!
Happy birthday to you, lovely! Thank you for sharing this powerful post. I believe this is the only way my story matters. Thank you.
Thanks, Jerusha! God is so good.
Sounds like a good wish! I love that His story is our story.
I do too, Shannon! Thanks for stopping in today.
What a beautiful and heartwrenching story of survival. Of hope. This is such a gift, from you, to others. A celebration indeed of your life. Thank you so much
Thank you for your encouragement, Christa. My only hope is that it will point others to Jesus.
Aww. Your actually a super-beautiful person!!! Your heart is so real and kind. Lots of women are just plain old mean, and selfish. You invest in people. You reply to each person, making them feel like they matter. I love the teen girl devotionals. 🙂 And your actually an inspiration to anyone with cancer, abuse, and etc. Your life totally points to Jesus. (Birthday wish came true :D) Anyone who can go thru that much and be chipper like you, has got to be plugged into Jesus. 🙂 Your truly attractive. 🙂 It shines from the inside out.
Thanks, Chrissy! That is so encouraging to me.
Happy Birthday! What a testimony to God’s faithfulness and your trust in Him. Not many people have an attitude of praising God when they go through things like that, and I think it’s amazing and encouraging that you’re willing to share this with us!
Thanks, Emily! I don’t know how people can face the things of this world without Jesus. He is definitely the strength that gets me through each day.
“My strength comes from knowing that this world is not all there is, and it’s not about me. No matter what happens in life, I know that Jesus is king. And I know my purpose is to honor Him.” Amen! The closer I get in my relationship with God the more I am able to understand this as well. Happy Birthday, too!
Thanks, Melissa!
Wow! who could experience all these and still worship God if not for Christ? It is wonderful to be in Christ, he takes away our pains and shame, and replaces them with his grace. My sister, may you continue to grow in his grace as you celebrate more birthdays.
You are added to my prayer list.
Thanks, Sarah. I see it the exact opposite though, who could live through all of that without Jesus? I am so thankful for Him and my heart breaks for anyone trying to go through life without Him.
Happy birthday, Heather!
Yes, our lives are the message of Jesus. It’s sad if people never realize this or grasp that all the struggles were part of His plan. He can truly weave everything into good for us!
Thanks, Julie! I’m so thankful to know Jesus and to be able to trust Him with all the junk this life throws at us.
Wow. I am in awe of your persistent faith and your sheer strength. You have done all things through Christ who has strengthened you!
My strength gave out long ago, but praise God because He is our strength.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26 ESV
Heather,
I recently held a women’s ministry event called. “Her” story is “His”tory. Jesus has given each of us a story, but the blessing that comes from hearing “Her” story empowers others to share their own story. The enemy would love it if we kept all of our stories hidden so God would not receive the honor and glory He deserves. It is through our brokenness and the pieces of our lives which have been shattered that become the most beautiful mosaics of our lives. You are beautiful my dear friend, and we have walked many of the same roads, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything because God is doing His perfect work in each of us and the Devil isn’t going to shut us up!
Amen. God is so good. Our stories are the stories of His goodness.
Happy Birthday! May we all live to point others to Jesus. Your love for Christ is evident! Keep going, sister!
Thanks, Kristi!
Happy Birthday Heather! What a beautiful birthday wish! I accept that prayer as I pray it too. I pray my life always point to Jesus! This is such a simple, yet extremely inspiring post! <3
Thanks, Katie. It’s such a short prayer, but it is definitely powerful.