Hello everyone. For me today is special. I was born on April 23, many long years ago. At my age, birthdays carry lots of meaning. I’ve been blessed with eighty-one wonderful years of living.  Wonderful family and friends add to the excitement of life. And I’m still writing. Last week, I released my second worship resource book, Dipping Your Toes, Too. Already we’ve sold nearly one hundred copies. That makes eleven books in less than twenty years. My third novel is half done. I’ve two children’s stories waiting to become books and an idea for my first try at non-fiction… well, creative non-fiction. My church family, Bridgenorth United congregation is amazing. I love the people there. They are super, lots of fun, full of faith, a great support when I need them. And our minister, Rev. Cathy Gradante, is filled with God’s Spirit which she shares so ably. What more could I ask from life?

This morning, God gave me yet more joy. The sunshine, besides bringing much needed warmth and cheer, brought visitors for breakfast. Three gold finches joined us, and loved the sunflower seed that fills the birdfeeder barely five feet away, just outside our dining room window. Such spectacular creatures fill God’s world. We need only to notice to enjoy them.

Though news and social media lace our lives with fear, I’m choosing today to focus on the wonder and beauty that surrounds us always. I will not live forever, so I’m going to enjoy every day, every moment, looking for the surprises God has for me. I don’t want to miss anything. This is celebrating. I’ve decided that is what it means to live a grateful life.

My wish for all of you is that you, too, will open your hearts and eyes to the goodness that God has for you. We don’t have to let the doom and gloom and fear we are fed every day destroy our lives. Easter has come. Jesus rose. Fear and cruelty, unfairness and death did not defeat God then and will not defeat God today. Thanks be to God.