Reflections from my birthday weekend

There are some days in your life you will never forget! This past Saturday was one of those days for me.

My kids and I went on a hot air balloon ride for my birthday. 

It was, honestly, one of the most special mornings with my family.

But this picture represents more than just an item checked off a bucket list; it reminds me of God’s beautiful redemption.

Let me explain—there are some moments in time that change the trajectory of your life. I will never forget the phone call from my friend, Jeannie, telling me she has cancer or the night my marriage ended. I still clearly remember the day I looked at the ultrasound monitor and could not find the baby’s heartbeat.

Sometimes these life changing days are not full of joy, but full of grief that feels like it will be forever etched onto our hearts.

If you are in that place right now, I want to offer you some encouragement. Our God specializes in not wasting one tear from our heartbreaks. He instead finds a way to redeem all the hurt and pain.

As I reflect on my birthday weekend, I can now see a small glimpse of Romans 8:28 as I look at these photos from this amazing adventure.

In this picture, I see me, a single mom, who nine years before was in deep grief over the loss of my marriage and feared parenting by myself. If I am honest, I was completely freaked out about doing life alone. Thankfully with God’s strength, He used the alone time to deepen my roots in my faith as well as give me wisdom as a single mom. Now I speak and encourage other moms with the truths God has shown me over the years.

God is faithful to use our pain to help others.

In this photo, I also see my two sons, both mature and wise young adults. I see how God took the pain from the divorce and used it to grow my boys and me in our emotional literacy. We dove deep with counselors, and I can see now how it has truly deepened our relationship. There are still arguments and frustrations, but now we have tools in our emotional tool belt to deal with them in a healthy way.

God is faithful to grow us in the midst of the pain.

I also see my dear friend’s two children. Before she passed, I promised Jeannie that I would be there for them. Both her kids and my kids were already so close after our years of friendship, so having them over and doing things together felt natural. This is why it was an easy yes for me to have them come live with us this past summer. Love how God moved us from friends to family! 

God is faithful to provide for all our needs.

So this picture is more than just a beautiful sunset!

It is a reminder of God’s faithfulness in the middle of life’s unexpected storms.

Remember the heartbreak and loss is not the end of your story. I believe as you surrender it to God, He will use it to help another hurting heart! Praying for you, friend!

Thanks so much for letting me share my reflections from my birthday weekend!

Love, Jodi

Here are some more pictures!