My birthday, surprises, & a Katygirl giveaway

 

Saturday was my birthday. I'm sorta big on birthdays, and that's totally to my parents' credit. I grew up in a family that loved celebrating one another. I have many, many fun memories from the parties we had together. I only remember one birthday party that I didn't love. I think it was my 10th or 11th. My parents packed my friends and I all up in a car and went for a drive; the destination was a surprise. Well, I don't do well with surprises, and now that I think about it, this incident may be why.

The anticipation killed me, not knowing where I was being taken. I grew from slightly anxious, to completely terrified that they were going to bring me somewhere where I would be embarrassed. I'm not sure why I thought this. It wasn't rational. That's just what I remember: I was so scared it would be something embarrassing. My parents were sorta over the top, so if they'd said, "Hey for your birthday, you're going to go up on stage in front of 5000 people and meet Madonna (it was the 80's, people)," I would have believed them. And I would've been terrified.

Well, guess what. We arrived at a big arena, and went to a Disney on Ice show. Zero percent embarrassing. 100% fun. Except all I remember was hating how I felt leading up to that party. The fear left a much more lasting impression on my memory than the actual party did. So yeah, don't throw me a surprise party, ever, kay?

This weekend, I turned 38. And in that span of time from age 11 till now, I've grown some, and I do a little better with surprises. Especially if they're God's. He is the one guy I really trust to surprise me with things that are exclusively for my good. Throughout my youth and my 20's, I claimed Jeremiah 29:11 as my life verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you; plans to give you a future and a hope."

I've learned He has good plans. And I've learned I don't have to know about them in advance.

This year, I'm sure, He will surprise me with His plans. And though it may be a new year, a new season, my God stays the same. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Knowing He may surprise me doesn't leave me feeling fearful or anxious. Well, sometimes it does, when I'm not in step with Him. When I've looked away from His face, and turned my attention to give ear to those fears. But when my eyes are fixed on Him, instead of anticipating the next step in fear or anxiety, I can look forward to my days with excitement and hope.

I bought this print from my beloved blog friend Katy for a friend for Christmas. When it arrived and I held it in my hands, I knew it was for me too. My heart resonated with this message deep down.



I love it so much.

And so to celebrate my birthday, Katy has offered to give away a copy to one of you. Isn't she the best?

{If you're the winner and you'd like one of her other prints instead, that's okay too.}

Here's another reason to jump for joy. Today, she's releasing a whole bunch of new designs in her shop. Some of them are killing me they're so great. They speak to my heart, and they speak truth so clearly, so beautifully. Please visit her shop and check them out. And here's fair warning that you may not be able to pass up the note cards.

If you want to be entered in the giveaway, just leave a comment. You can get an extra entry for doing any of these things; just leave an additional comment for each:

• Follow here
• Subscribe to Katy's blog
• Favorite or add to your Circle Katygirl Designs on Etsy

I will be choosing a WINNER on Thursday night and announcing it on Friday.

And wait. Before you click away, just tuck this truth in your heart today:

All of your life, in every season, He is still God. He has good plans for you this year. You can trust Him.