39

Today is my 39th birthday. I find it quite hard to believe that 9 yrs ago, I celebrated my 30th birthday at my sister Gillian's house, with all my family and Calums family. Phoebe was only 2 wks old. A few months later, we moved into our current home and began the adventure that this house has been to us. I really don’t know where the last 9 yrs have gone. You hear people say it all the time, and you become immune to it, but it is so true. We usually blame it on being so busy, that time flies past. But I have found the last 20 weeks since the kids finished up at school have flown past as well. I can't blame that on being busy.

Next year will be my big 40th birthday. That's certainly another thing that I really can’t believe. Don't think I'm quite ready for it yet! Was it not just a year or so ago that Calum and I got married, bought our first house and Caleb was born?? Actually, he is 17 next month! Anyway, for me, my birthday is just like any other day. Once you have kids I think it’s never really the same and life becomes about them. The last few years we have always had a church function on the weekend of my birthday. It’s usually quite a busy weekend and lots of food prep has to be done and my birthday has always slid into the background. Sadly we can’t do that this year because of the current situation.

This year, Micah, Phoebe and Josiah return to school on my birthday. (happy birthday to me!!) So again, as I’m busy, preparing packed lunches, organising new school uniforms, making sure the school transport arrives on time, trying to explain all the new procedures that the school have introduced and worrying over their anxieties as they prepare to leave me for the longest time since March, my birthday becomes less and less significant. Never mind, I am spoiled plenty of other times throughout the year by Calum and the kids. I can’t complain.

The thing is, I actually have 2 birthdays. I was born on the 12th August 1981 and became the daughter of John and Mary Leitch. But in November 1987 I became a christian and I became one of God's children too.

I found the date written in an old bible of mine.

My parents became christians after they were married, they weren’t brought up going to church like I was. My Mums interest about the bible and God grew to the point that it troubled her so much she wanted to find out more about what the bible had to say. She eventually came to the conclusion that what the bible said was true and she gave her life to God and became a christian. A couple of years later, after initially being very opposed to it, my Dad did the same too. I think many people just think going to church is just something your family have always done. You do it, your parents did it, their parents did and so on. A bit like supporting a football team. You just support the team that your parents brought you up to support and that's who their parents or family circle brought them up supporting and so on. (not that I know much about football, but I think you get what I’m saying)

I think many people just think I go along to church because that is what I’ve been raised to do. But it is much more than that. It has to be a personal decision from every individual person, not because you have been ‘brainwashed’ into thinking a certain way.

When I was younger, I prayed and thanked God for loving me so much, that he sent His son Jesus to die on a cross, so that I might have all my sins forgiven. I told Him that I loved Him and from that moment, I became a child of God. I didn’t fully understand all that happened in that moment, I just knew that God wanted everybody to have their sins forgiven and become a member of his family. I knew it was the right thing to do. I remember writing a memory verse in the front of my bible and putting my name in it.

“For God so loved Ruth, that He gave His only begotten Son, that if Ruth believes in Him, then Ruth should not perish, but will have everlasting life” John 3:16.

That was the simple faith I had and that is still the simple faith that anyone needs to have today.

Life can be hard. We have certainly witnessed that this year. Many people spend their life searching for happiness, peace, satisfaction. Some want to fill it with achievements, possessions or people. These things are all good, but I can honestly say, true satisfaction, can only ever be found in a relationship with God. It's not something I can really describe, it’s something you have to experience for yourself. We are designed with a spiritual aspect to us and that was only ever meant to be used by God. So many try to use it to find happiness elsewhere, but sadly, it will never last. I wonder how many people, if they are honest, wonder why we are here? What is the point to our lives? Is there actually more, to the meaning of life? Do we just live our life, leave our mark in the world and then die and that is it all over? God is where you will find the answer to all of these questions. He is where you will find true meaning and happiness.

So today, I am thankful for 39 yrs. But I am so thankful for that 2nd birthday too.