.....better

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

As the days ticked down to my 47th birthday, I had to admit that I was experiencing a little melancholy. I was looking back over the years of my life and remembering every mistake that I had made, every wrong path that I had taken, and every chance for growth that I had turned my back on. It wasn’t a pretty sight.

When the day finally arrived, however, I was overwhelmed with the love I received from so many - gifts, cards, and birthday greetings from friends filled both my mailbox and my computer. My wonderful children took me out for dinner and then surprised me with a homemade cake, a homemade card, and a homemade gift, all wrapped with their love. By the end of the day, my melancholy had fled and my happiness had returned. I felt truly blessed and I remembered that life is about the love you share - not the mistakes you make.

I realized too that I wanted to spend the rest of my days here becoming the person that God meant for me to be. I wanted to watch more sunrises, share more smiles, spread more love and share the "good news" of the gospel with everyone I met.  I wanted to fill my life with acts of kindness and moments of joy. I wanted to give my children wise words, kind thoughts, huge hugs, gentle kisses, loving laughter, and endless happiness. I wanted to help others every chance I could and in every way I could. 

You, too, can become a better person each and every day of your life. There is no greater adventure than to become the person God meant for you to be. There is nothing better than being a blessing to everyone around you. There is nothing more powerful than sharing the way to salvation and eternal life with everyone you meet.  There is nothing more wonderful than to live all your days here in God's love, growing younger on the inside, even as you grow older on the outside. 

- joseph j. mazzella