To My Friend Who Is Turning 40 Today

“I turn 40 tomorrow,” you whispered to my husband.

“Oh, happy birthday!” he said.

“Shhhhh!” you said. “I don’t want this to be a big thing with a lot of attention.”

So don’t worry, friend. Your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell a soul that you’re turning 40, but I will write you this private note of encouragement –just between you and me.

Forty is a very special year.

The Turning Around Year.

I’ve watched you for a long time. I’ve seen you grow in your love for God. You’ve done a good job loving on that man of yours, and the way you’ve raised your girls is lovely. Your home is warm and clean and organized. Your coffee pot is always ready to brew for a friend. I see you serving others at church.

And your beauty and kindness rise all the way from the center of your soul, until they come through your eyes and make us feel better just for rubbing shoulders with you.

Now it’s time for you to turn around.

“I was inspired by your sermon,” you told my preacher husband. “How the older women are supposed to teach the younger women to love their families and take care of their homes. Am I an older woman?”

“Well,” the preacher said, “you’re older than some women, but there are so many women who are older than you.” (The art of diplomacy.)

My friend, I see you beginning this group for young wives, to encourage them. In that group is my little girl who is not yet two years into married life.

Thank you.

Thank you for not tucking yourself into a ball and mourning your increasing years.

Thank you for choosing to live more now that you’re older.

Thank you for having the courage to see that God has given you something to offer to the young women who are growing behind you –not just to your own daughters but to some other daughters as well.

You are coming into your fortieth year generous and vibrant, and these qualities make you look younger and more beautiful than you’ve ever been before.

So, quietly I whisper, “Happy birthday. A very happy birthday to you.”

Shhhhh. Just between you and me.

From your friend,

Christy Fitzwater

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Blameless: Now available

We’re so excited to announce the new release of Christy Fitzwater’s book, Blameless: Living A Life Free From Guilt and Shame with Foreword by Lisa Jacobson of Club31Women!

I’ve read hundreds of books in my life, many of them very good. But few have made me laugh so much, given me so much hope, and made me so eager to share its pages with my friends. ~ Elisabeth