Today is a special day for me. Forty-one years ago today, I was born. At 4:14 pm I breathed my first breath and forever became Joey Turner. It was a spectacular moment, or least I am told it was. Forty-one years. Wow, it does not seem right that I am this old. I feel younger, but time has a way of bringing me into reality.

If you would like to sing to me, it would be great. I will get you started, “Happy Birthday…” Thank you for the song, I am deeply appreciative. I don’t remember a whole lot about my first birthday, but I do remember a little about my spiritual birthday.

As I read Psalm 30 today I was reminded of that day in my life. I remember I was fourteen years old when I settled the battle of having a relationship with my Savior. It was a great day in my life, but I did not grasp a hold of that truth of receiving Him at that time. Today, I am very much aware of the forgiveness and love I received from my Savior. He loves a mess like me.

David said in Psalm 30: 1-5, “I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

The psalmist is reminded how the Lord drew him, healed him, brought him to Himself, and was fully restored. Just like the psalmist, the same has happened for me and I am very thankful. He saved me and I surely did not deserve it. He kept coming after me because of His love for me.

Even when I ran from God in my life from the hurts of other people, He loved me. A little under eight years ago I failed God miserably in my life. I found my bottom, but instead of telling me how low down and dirty I was, Christ loved me and restored me.

I had people tell me that I would never amount to anything again because God was done with my messiness. You know they were partly right. I am a mess and I will never amount to anything separate from God and His love.

However, I am learning every day that instead of running from the mess of my life He runs to it. I cried for help and He heard me! Praise His holy name! Weeping only lasts for the night, but joy comes in the morning. This has been very true in my life.

The great thing about this verse is that tomorrow will always bring about something new. Tomorrow is never the same as the day before. When life leaves you sitting on the ground, unable to move, Jesus does not walk right by you and not see you—oh no—Jesus walks right up to you, and stretches out his hands to help. I discovered that when I thought that I was all alone in my mess.

I also experienced healing when someone walked up to me, hugged me and said, “Me too!” We do not have to walk through things in our lives alone. We have the Lord, but there are also others who have walked the paths we are walking as well.

Today, is my birthday and I am excited to live another year, but I am very thankful for my spiritual birthday and that I am a child of the King. I am very grateful that God loves me even in my mess. He does not run away. He does not hide from me. He will not leave me alone unless I choose to live in my mess without His help.

He loves me and He sends others my way who have walked the same journey I have walked. I desire to help others by letting them know “Me too”. We are not alone in this life, especially if He is walking with us.

Yes, I am very thankful for another year, but I am especially thankful for my spiritual birthday. I will eat cake in honor of them both.