Today is my birthday. While I haven’t spent my last five birthdays with family because of my university studies, this year is different. Today I celebrated my first birthday abroad. In many ways it’s easier and more difficult than I expected. So far, this is definitely a year of firsts….

If you had told me a year ago—even six months ago—that I would be celebrating my birthday away from my home country, I would have disbelieved and/or laughed at you. I didn’t think it was possible and I didn’t really see how it would ever fit into my plans. I’ve had a lot of plans over the years, and I think God has laughed at, and changed, almost every last one of them. Really. Ask my parents. But I’m learning that the Lord is so merciful and His plans infinitely better than any I could have come up with (it’s a work in progress, because I’m very stubborn). This morning during my time with Jesus I read Isaiah 52 (Just go read it, it’s so good). In churches we hear a lot about verse 7, which I love—“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns,’ ” but I think we forget about the next few verses, especially verse 9.

“Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem.”

 “The Lord has comforted his people…” You know, I see reflections of myself in the people of Israel as I read through the Old Testament and I can’t help but marvel that God can take “waste places” and redeem them. I’ve seen it over, and over, and over again in my life and I couldn’t help but think that today, on my birthday, this chapter was more significant than before. I am constantly reminded that God can take my mess and use it for glory. So today I’m just thankful. I’m thankful that I’m counted among those whose feet bring good news. I’m thankful that God’s plans are bigger and better than my own, even when I don’t understand them. I’m thankful for the life and adventure I’ve experienced thus far. I’m thankful for new cities and even newer friends, and being part of a family that spans continents because of the blood of Jesus. I’m thankful for slightly broken, yet incredibly sincere happy birthday wishes in English from fellow students. I have so much to be thankful for.

Jennifer G.