I'll Take Two Dozen ... Years.

So, yesterday I reached the magical number of 24 years old. I typically kind of always dread my birthday for some reason. I am not particularly fond of a production being made out of me and would rather just somehow float under the radar specifically on November 13. For other people's birthdays I am the first to want to celebrate in epic proportions, but for myself, totally different story.

However, despite myself, I was bombarded with presents, messages, letters, phone calls, and in true 21st Century communication efforts: facebook wall postings, texts, e-mails, etc. It was mind boggling! Who knew being so socially connected via the internet could provide such an ego boost! Call me ridiculous, but I was seriously touched by the random birthday wishes and thoughts from so many people -- even if that creepy guy from High School wished me a happy birthday --I'll take it! (Kidding).

But the most valuable Birthday wish of all came in the middle of the night the night before my birthday. Now, I'm not Joseph. And I'm not a dream interpreter. And I don’t slay people in the spirit. But often times, I know that I hear from God. If this is too charismatic for you, then burn me at the stake and take me off the prayer chain.

Anyhow, I couldn't sleep for some reason and I laid in bed awake thinking of all the days tasks and feeling slightly anxious about the fact that it was my birthday. I'm 24 years old. I haven't written a book yet, I do not own property, I sometimes park on my front yard because I live with so many people, I still don't really fully grasp the concept of a 401k plan, what the heck am I doing with my life, I'm totally dreading the awkward phone call from the ex-boyfriend wishing me a happy birthday, am I going to get the same sweater I get every year, etc. You know, the typical birthday anxiety syndrome.

However, in the midst of all these fears, questions, and self-accusatory thoughts, God pressed on my mind this one simple thought: Tomorrow is my day to celebrate you Tracy. It doesn't matter if anyone else recognizes this day. The fact is, I do and I am the most excited and thrilled about you, your life, & my creation.

Never thinking about my birthday in that light before ... a time when God -- you know God of the Universe -- actually celebrates over His creation, and that creation being me ... ! I guess you could say that totally blows the sheet cake that says "Happy Birthday" at the office completely out of the water.

Needless to say, I awoke the next morning having an entire new outlook on the ‘ole November 13 and the fact that I am 24 years old (and still parking on my lawn). So while all the presents, wall shenanigans, e-mails, surprise deliveries etc. were absolutely fabulous and wonderful, I got the only Birthday greeting that really mattered this year on November 13 at 3 a.m.

No wonder I was ridiculously late to the office that day.