Old Dog. New Tricks.

Old Dog. New Tricks. -christyfitzwater.com

Not to make a big deal out of it or anything, but…

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!

If you’ve been hearty enough to stay with me for a few years, you know that I have an inner seven-year-old whose eyes light up at the thought of confetti cupcakes and getting presents. Ask me how old I am. Go ahead.

I’m 48!

“What?” you say. “Forty-eight? You’re getting so big!”

I know.

I’m getting so big inside.

A few nights ago, I put the finishing touches on dinner. You heard me –I put the finishing touches on dinner. D.I.N.N.E.R. I made it myself. Versus the two decades of crying I would do at 5:00 because I hadn’t planned, hadn’t purchased supplies, and definitely had not made dinner.

But I am a new woman in the kitchen, and I can’t stop smiling about it. I mean, God has completely transformed me into a woman who plans meals, buys food for the meals, and then happily makes the meals.

I say the happily part because somehow God took what used to be drudgery and an overwhelming chore into something wonderful. Of course, my recent entry into the world of apron wearing has played a huge role in this mindset change, and I find it endearing that the Lord cared enough to show me the value of an apron.

Don’t you know polka dots and cute, slanted pockets matter? Why God should care about those details I do not know, but sure enough he does.

But cooking isn’t all. Oh my word, in the last few years the Lord has helped me grow inside in every direction. I’ve never felt more hopeful about being able to change.

…Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  (2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV)

Party.

That whole “can’t teach a dog new tricks” thing? LIE –big fat one. The good news of knowing Christ is that we will become better people inside every day. The old places of failure and discouragement because new places of success and joy.

That last bit was your party favor. Take it with you –and an extra cupcake.

 

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18 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing this post. IT is great, because I too am walking a new journey in my life and I too will be turning 48 this year. Be blessed my friend.

    Gina

  2. 48? Yeah, right. You are beautiful inside and out. Hope your birthday’s the best!

  3. ?Happy Happy Birthday?
    ENJOY
    ?

  4. Happy Birthday! Here is to a wonderful year of positive change for all of us!

  5. Happy Birthday! Praying you have a blessed day and are continually reminded how loved you are. Thank you for blessing so many with your insight and wisdom, for seeing God in your everyday life and sharing. You have been such a encouragement to me. 🙂

  6. Connie Stoll says:

    Happy birthday! And 48 is not “old dog!” 🙂 I still learn new things at nearly 61 years old.

    1. Well, it feels old when I wake up in the morning and my feet don’t want to work. hahaha Thanks for adding to the hopeful testimony that we can keep learning!

  7. First of all, Happy birthday!! Secondly, I’ll be 47 this year myself so what an encouraging message you give today! Sometimes I can get bogged down in feeling like a problem area for me can never get better. I’m going to put this verse on the fridge as a reminder that with Jesus, oh yes I can do better!
    And I’ll think I’ll try that apron trick 🙂
    Have a great day!

  8. Happy, Happy Birthday, Christy!! ??? Have a wonderful day and a blessed year discovering new ways to grow.

  9. Pamela Shaw says:

    Happy Birthday all the way from Northern Ireland!! Hope you have a lovely day. I’m just a year ahead of you, and yes I can testify that God is still teaching me new tricks – cooking being one for me as well this past 2 years!! Best wishes. Pamela xx

    1. How sweet to get a birthday wish from Ireland! How fun that you’re doing better at cooking, too. We’re never too old for the Lord to do great work in us. I wish you and I could get together for dinner. 🙂

  10. Happy Birthday! I agree with you a thousand percent. I will soon celebrate my 56th birthday and I feel like I am more and more comfortable in my own skin. In my younger days, I always felt that I was trying to keep up and compete and was never quite enough. Experience matters. I am now able to process new things through a filter of grace.

    Let the confetti cupcakes and presents begin! Have a wonderful day!

  11. I just cannot tell you how much I enjoy your blog and books!! Your writing is simple (in a good way) and straightforward and always teaches me something or makes me think, ‘Wow! Someone else out there gets me!!”
    Wising you a fabulous day of birthday blessings! May it be full of love and laughter.

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