The thing is, I wasn’t really sure about this whole turning 40 business. A couple months ago I felt sure I wanted to celebrate, and that if I was going to age, I wanted to do it right. But, I really didn’t know what that meant.
I recognize that I’ve been aging all along, but 40 seems to be a hurdle.
At any rate – what I realized this past week more than ever is this: I wanted to celebrate this life I’ve been given. There is a significant amount of goodness and it is easy to move about my days without recognizing it all.
The good things in my life largely revolve around the gifts of fellowship and relationships – my husband, my children, my parents, and my in-laws, my sister and her family, my husbands’ siblings and their families, and my dear friends. These are the gifts from God that I do not celebrate enough!
This morning twelve friends converged on my home for a birthday brunch. As we sat in a circle in my living room and shared our favorite things with each other, I had to really make an effort to not be tearful. These women are such a large part of my heart and life. Some I talk to weekly, if not daily. Some, I’m only able to visit with once every couple months.
But, I see each one of them and the friendship we share as God’s gracious, beautiful gift to me. This morning that goodness soaked into the very deepest places of my heart and I was reminded that I am greatly blessed. Indeed, I am a very rich 40 year old. If that’s not worth celebrating, I don’t know what is.
So in case, you don’t know, I’ve decided to turn 40 by celebrating God’s gracious gifts in my life! It is really the only way to go, no matter what age you are!
daily portion 
A good attitude, with thankfulness to God, even when turning 75.