Someone told me a story today. They said the way they describe me to other people is with this story:
If Ashley had $60 on Monday and it was supposed to last her all week, and someone said they needed $55, she would give them $55 and try to live off of $5 for the rest of the week.
Then, someone sitting with us said, Ashley would probably just say, "Well here, I have $60 you can have all of it" and she would give them everything and just go broke for the rest of the week.
I asked if they were serious, if they really tell people that and they said they do. I told them, "I think that's the kindest thing anyone could say about me".
Everything I have, I have to serve others. I long to give to others and support others any way that I can, even if it means that I have be "broke for the rest of the week".
Right now, I "should" be getting ready to head out to begin celebrating my 21st birthday. Instead, I'm at home getting ready for bed, writing this, listening to Jesus music and spending time with Jesus. Tomorrow, I "should" sleep in and rest from the night and get ready for more celebrating. Instead, I will be getting up early to worship Jesus and then teach precious 2nd and 3rd graders.
My birthday plans may sound lame to others, but I think they sound awesome. For the record though, I will be doing some celebrating and doing things I couldn't do under the age of 21. I am not totally against any of it, as some people assume. But the point is, is that I know that I want to do more than that. I want to spend my birthday (and all of my days) loving people. Serving people. Worshiping Jesus. If that means I have to go to bed early and skip out on the power hour, so be it.
Last year, the song lyric that came to my mind was "This is the first day of the rest of your life"
This year, the song is called "Rooftops". I just heard it a few hours ago on a CD my friend gave me.
So I shout out Your name
From the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours
I am Yours
And all that I am
I place into Your loving hands
And I am Yours
You are a stand-out 21-year-old, Ashley. I don't think your birthday plans sound lame at all. On the contrary! It sounds like you'll be spending your day in service and with friends...and that is indeed awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks for shining so brightly.
stephanie@metropolitanmama.net