Today is my Mom’s 77th birthday and to say I’m excited we got to celebrate it together is an understatement. When the doctors told her in March, she only had “months” to live, I was worried she wouldn’t be here for her birthday, so my heart is immensely grateful to have her here, with me, to celebrate!

You see, birthdays are a big deal to me, as in, a really BIG deal! I’ve always believed birthdays should be celebrated in a big way, because it’s the one day a year, I get to celebrate a person’s life by making the day entirely about them! It’s a day for doting on, loving on and spoiling them, showing them how grateful I am to have them in my life.

Today, I took the extra time to make one of my Mom’s favorite meals, even if she could only eat a few bites, made her a colorful floral bouquet, even though it was just one bouquet of several she received, and I arranged for her close friend to join us in celebration.  With each moment shared, I couldn’t help but whisper a thousand thank you’s to Jesus, as we shared in this special day together.

I can’t help but wonder how Jesus must feel about my Mom, not just today, but everyday! Every day He breathes life into her body, I have no doubt – Jesus smiles.

Jesus smiles because, when He looks into her beautiful face,
He see’s a woman created in His image.

Jesus smiles because, when He watches her leaning into Him,
daily, for strength, He becomes her strength.

Jesus smiles because, He knows that in her humility and brokenness,
she’s learning to let go of her pride and fully trust Him.

Jesus smiles because, He hears her heart’s deepest desire,
as she weeps for her family’s salvation.

Jesus smiles because, He shares in her laughter,
as she embraces the joy surrounding her, amidst the pain.

Jesus smiles because, though He knows it pains her to watch her family hurting,
He knows that from great loss, comes great growth.

Jesus smiles because, from dust He created someone amazing,
someone who faithfully points everyone closer to Him.

Jesus smiles because, He’s not done with her yet, and until He is,
He whispers, “This is the day I’ve made, let us rejoice and be glad in it”.
(My personal adaptation of NKJV Psalm 118:24)

How many times do we fail to see Jesus smiling at us, when we look into the mirror? He loves us more than anything and He loves to shower His blessings upon us, in every possible way!

Today, as I celebrate my Mom’s birthday, I want to challenge each of us to start looking through the eyes of Jesus, when we look into the mirror. Smile at the view, because that’s what Jesus does when He looks into the faces of His children!  He longs for us to truly see ourselves as He sees us, so we can begin to understand the depth and width of His great love for us. Friend, when He looks at you and me, Jesus smiles!

Truly Blessed and Truly Grateful,