If I Die Young: A Birthday Reflection, Celebration and Prayer

I love the song, "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry. And, did I mention that I have a slightly obsessive crush with Kimberly Perry the bands lead singer, writer, musician (and only sister.)

I mean what is not to love. She's really pretty, uberly witty, slightly sassy and unbelievably talented. And, to top that she is an amazingly clever writer who has a fiery passion that comes through not just live but even through the radio. OMG! How can you NOT be a little obsessive if you're me.

Anyways, enough of my mini-tribute to Kimberly and back to the song. The lyrics and melodies of "If I Die Young" are hypnotizing, and they have had me spell bound the last few days. I can seem to get the song and it's meaning out of my head. She writes about her life up to this point and is delcaring that if she leaves this earth at a young age, she has no regrets. It has really gripped my thinking today. Let me try to use it to convey my thoughts about my BDay.

As I said, today is my birthday. I am officially the ripe young age of <cough> 31 <cough>. This past Sunday, my family gathered to celebrate. We were conversing about the Bible, and a book my sister is reading called "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. So, inevitably the subject of death came up, specifically are you scared to die. I quickly answered no. I am not worried about it. But, then I had to revise my statement. I am not worried about in the sense of where will I spend eternity. For, I know in whom I have believed and what He has guaranteed me. I am 100% sure that if I don't finish this paragraph, I will step into heaven and be with my Savior evermore. But, I do have concerns about dying today.

Let me share the ones I shared with my family:

• I want to meet God on the right terms. I do not want to meet Him out of fellowship or in a state of disobedience.
• I want to know that I have fulfilled all of the potential for the life that God has privileged me to be a a steward of. I hope I have made the best out of what He has given to me.
• I pray that my life has influenced as many people as possible for the glory of God.
• And, I pray that those I leave behind won't grieve my death but will gratefully thank God and understandingly submit to His will.

As I reflect back on life, these are concerns that I could say I would be hesitant about "If I Die Young."

As a birthday often does, it has made me a little sentimental today thinking about where I have come from and where I could go from here. And, if you knew (or know) me, you would understand that I have surely tested the Lord when He said His mercies were new every morning and that He is long-suffering. By all means, I shouldn't be alive to day to write this piece, much less free or in the right mind. The drugs. The parties. The wreck. The chances and the choices. All in all, I should have been locked up for life or let go into death.

So, to all who tell me I am "maturing" in such loving language as, "You're old.", I embrace today. I embrace this moment, this opportunity and privileged space in time. Allow me to share one of my birthday cards that I truly believe God placed into my hands today:

"This is the moment that, with one seed of faith, can make miracles happen.

This is the moment that transcends both past and future.

Turns ordinary people into heroes. Everyday lives into wondrous adventures.

This is the moment that holds all possibilities within it.

The place where time stops to listen to all who embrace the magic of now.

This is the moment that can be anything you want it to be.

It's a birthday. And, it's all yours. GO FOR IT!

-American Greetings

That sums up how I feel not only today, but in the now moments of my life. Today is where God took the past, worked it together for my good and His glory, and is preparing me for the future. I am loving every minute of it. I get to live in His presence everyday. I get to write what He lays on my heart. I get to talk about to Him to others. I get to look back and see where He has brought me from. I am so privileged to have Him as my Friend, Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer and God. "If I Die Young" I can say I have had just enough time to enjoy the goodness of God. It seems like it has been a long journey, but I have been blessed beyond blessed. And, praise God, it is only getting sweeter each day. And, "If I Die Young", then it'll be the best yet.

Father, "If I Die Young", I pray you would comfort those whom I leave behind so that they might not hurt but rejoice over the goodness of God in my life. If my hearts stops beating, let hers continue. God if it be your will to take me home tomorrow, show me whats wrong between us, so that we can get it right. Help me be obedient and submissive to you in every detail of life. Make my life as much as an impact as possible for as long as possible so that you might be glorified. God don't let me stay one day longer than you desire, but God don't take me one breath sooner than I have fulfilled all on this earth that you desired for me to accomplish for you.

God, thank you for letting me see 31 years old. I never imagined I would have made it this far. And as a teen, I'm not sure I wanted to make it this far. But, I'm here and You are with me. I have great family, friends. All things are possible to me because of you. I have come into the Kingdom for such a time as this. I am living in the absolute middle of Your will and wouldn't trade it for the world. Thank you for the mercy that spared me and the grace that carried me to here. And, "If I Die Young" it will be exactly what You had planned. Thank You for being in control and willing to be involved in my life. I love You! And, finally, thank You for the day of my birth, and todays goodness of God to be able to celebrate it for the 31^st time.