Happy Bloggy Birthday
Update:Thanks to all of you for celebrating my bloggy birthday with me! And congratulations to Kristina! The random number generator chose her comment as the winner for the necklace below. Kristina is a sweet friend of mine and I know you'll love her blog as much as I do so I hope you'll stop by to say hello! The necklace is still on sale at www.dayspring.com and you can use my friends and family code (holley20) for an extra 20% off too.
I'm heading to the She Speaks conference in North Carolina. While I'm there my blog will celebrate a birthday! I kicked it all off with this post so I'm sharing it again...
I recently read a story about a newly discovered underground cave. One scientist called the cave “a beautiful anomaly.” An anomaly is something unusual, or in other words, weird. The scientists were delighted with this cave and dubbed it a national treasure.
Through that story, God got me thinking about how we all have underground caves in our lives. They may be quirks, regrets, hidden habits, or any number of things.
We usually work hard to keep people away from them. But perhaps they’re actually “beautiful anomalies” (or that’s what God can make them) and we should invite people into those places.
So I’ve decided to kick off this blog by sharing some of my underground cave stuff with you. It ranges from silly to serious.
My Top Ten Beautiful Anomalies
- I change the lyrics to eighties songs and sing them to my dog.
- I eat really weird, spicy things that make my friends shriek “Holley!” in the middle of restaurants.
- When I’m thinking really hard about something I totally zone out. For example, the other day I put deodorant on my lips instead of chapstick.
- I have trouble getting out of bed on time. I even put chocolate on my alarm clock and it still didn’t work.
- I’m more afraid of failure than I am of snakes or spiders.
- I wasn’t “popular” in high school…and I wanted to be.
- I have a baby in heaven.
- I’m unusually fond of turtles and short, fat dogs.
- I’m named after my Grandpa Hollie and he’s my hero.
- When I get really nervous, I sweat and think there’s something in my nose.
(By the way, all of the above are still true. I could add a few more like "11. I have an embarassing tendency to wander into the men's room--especially at conferences." Good thing there won't be any men at She Speaks!)
Just in case you’re beginning to wonder, the point of all this is to declare up front that I don’t have it all together—and no one who comes to this blog is required to either.
Yes, I’m a Christian greeting card writer. But I’m also a wife, daughter, friend, and mixed up, messed up, saved-by-grace girl who gets by in spite of herself every day.
I imagine (or at least hope) you’re a lot like me too.
And you know what? God loves us that way. He knows all about our underground caves, our quirks, the things we think make us weird. Those anomalies may even be part of the story He is writing and we are living out.
I believe God has “beautiful anomalies” too. And His infinite capacity to love us as we are will always be one of my favorites.
What birthday would be complete without a gift? This one is for you--my fabulous readers! I'm giving away one of these sterling silver God's Heart for You necklaces from DaySpring...
It comes with a mini-card I helped create that has this message...
In God’s heart, you are…
created
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. PSALM 139:14 NIV
chosen
The Lord has chosen you to be His treasured possession. DEUTERONOMY 14:2 NIV
celebrated
He will take great delight in you…
He will rejoice over you with singing. ZEPHANIAH 3:17 NIV
cherished
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. JEREMIAH 31:3 NIV
Just leave a comment or become a subscriber by midnight on Sunday and you'll be entered!
I know all those quirks that drive me crazy about myself are part of how God has weaved me together. I should be thankful for them. Inviting people into those places can be very, very hard, but always worth it in the end. How else can we have true community? Thank you for the reminder. And the necklace is beautiful.
p.s. As I've been looking around your blog I've learned that I used to go to your church, and we know a lot of the same people and read many of the same blogs. I love that.
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 30, 2009 at 12:14 AM
That God has created and chosen us and celebrates and cherishes each of us is so inspiring! How easy it can be to overlook that as we go about our busy day to day lives. This necklace is a beautiful reminder that God has an all-encompassing love for us, his children.
Posted by: Rebekah | July 30, 2009 at 01:46 AM
Have a wonderful time at She Speaks -- and it has been a great year on your blog
Posted by: sandra | July 30, 2009 at 06:57 AM
I have so enjoyed your blog!! I always leave encouraged. Thanks for your wonderful words of wisdom and encouragement.
Have a great time at She Speaks!!
Posted by: Mary Lynn | July 30, 2009 at 07:07 AM
I love your blog, it seems like you always have something to say to me when I need to hear it. Happy blog birthday!
Posted by: Sulwyn | July 30, 2009 at 08:32 AM
Thanks for pointing out that all the things that my kids say are "weird" are actually beautiful anomolies. I can hardly wait to try that one out on my 18 year old! Have a great time at She Speaks!
Posted by: Melissa Benson | July 30, 2009 at 09:46 AM
My father called me an anomaly about two years ago now. I have spent the better part of two years determining . . .it's okay. I like being weird :)
Posted by: Allison Massie | July 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Just wanted to let you know that I change the lyrics to songs and sing them to my cats. :) And that necklace is beautiful.
Posted by: Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect | July 30, 2009 at 11:10 AM
"I am a mixed up, messed up, saved-by-grace girl who gets by in spite of herself every day"
ME TOO!
I love this blog and look forward to going back through the archives to read the whole thing since I just found you!
Shaunie
Posted by: Shaunie Friday | July 30, 2009 at 11:41 AM
I have alot of those quirks, that really blessed me and it's true you know. God knows all about are mess and loves us in spite of it. It makes me feel a whole lot more human when I realize how apt I am to fail. But that's what makes us His children and we don't have to be perfect. Don't you just hate perfect people, besides Jesus, of course...and I mean 'hate' in a nice way:) but it's so much easier to talk to someone who doesn't quite have it all together..that's a beautiful necklace and card..inspiration. thanks for your blog.
Posted by: allison | July 30, 2009 at 04:28 PM
OH how I love that necklace- it's beautiful!
Have a wonderful time at She Speaks! :)
Posted by: Shannon | July 30, 2009 at 05:07 PM
I laugh at myself when I think I've said something funny. A lot. :)
Posted by: Andrea | July 30, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Have a great trip to NC! (Isn't it great that we are all a little weird sometimes? It keeps us laughing.)
Posted by: Cindy Faulkner | July 30, 2009 at 08:14 PM
"She speaks" the truth ... how refreshing and fun!
Posted by: Joanne Reese | July 30, 2009 at 08:18 PM
That necklace is lovely, and I would love to win. My birthday is over for now, but my Mom turns 80 soon, and I think she'd love it too!
Posted by: Terri Scott | July 30, 2009 at 08:44 PM
Holly,
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself, and for reminding us that none of us have it all together, and that its ok!!! I love to share your blog, and look forward to reading it every evening!
Muzette
Posted by: Muzette | July 30, 2009 at 08:54 PM
Have a blast at SheSpeaks. I so wish I were joining you! Tomorrow is my birthday so I guess your blog and I have something in common. :)
Posted by: Jennifer Saake (a.k.a. InfertilityMom) | July 30, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Happy B-Bday, Holley. I love reading your blog because many times we are experiencing a similar feeling or thought. I appreciate you for your gift of helping people experience unity. I can't imagine what you might accomplish in person! I don't know tho, the deodorant on your lips and chocolate smudges might be a distraction! May God bless you at SheSpeaks.
Posted by: Susan | July 30, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Yeah, when you spay aerosol deodorant in your hair instead of hairspray you get to go wash your hair again just when you thought you were about ready to leave for work. Groan. :) That happened to me years ago. Have a refreshing and rejuvenating time at SheSpeaks. Happy blog birthday. I'm so glad it was created. Better yet-- I'm glad God created you.
Posted by: Linda | July 30, 2009 at 11:22 PM
Happy Bloggy Birthday! I hope you have fun at the conference. I live in North Carolina!
Posted by: Linda | July 31, 2009 at 07:32 AM
I just related so much to your message today. I too am a wife, daughter, mother, nana and mixed up person who seems to get by in spite of myself. And I know that is only with God’s help.
I bought two copies of your book, “Rain on Me”….one for our oldest daughter who is going through a separation and one for me. I have already started reading….thank you for writing something that is so down to earth and yet so inspiring for those stormy times in our lives.
I also need to share that my Hallmark store has a special on the little Dayspring cards with the pretty flowered envelopes. If you buy 2, you get one free!!! I use them so often and I think you wrote the one about hope in the puddles? I bought all they had of that one. We just seem to have so many folks in difficult situations at the moment…the list seems to be endless.
Prayers for you for safe travel to NC! Sounds like a wonderful conference!
God bless you for being such a special gift to so many!
Posted by: Merle | July 31, 2009 at 07:42 AM
Have fun at your conference! Show off those beautifully tanned legs!!! *M
Posted by: Mandy | July 31, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Happy Bloggy B-day! I've enjoyed reading your blog!!
Posted by: Kristina | July 31, 2009 at 08:08 AM
Nice to know we are all alike that way, and that it is ok! :) thanks for the reminder that we can have our quirks, and God still loves us. I love that necklace, and what it stands for. Thanks for your honesty, and allowing us into your heart!
Posted by: Rhonda Alderson | July 31, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Holley, Happy Bloggy Birthday to you! (love it)
I remember reading this first blog. Hard to believe it's been a year. Thanks for ALL of the wonderful posts you have shared... full of encouragement, wisdom, honesty, hope...
you're a gift to many!
Blessings to you. I know you will love the conference.
Posted by: Nancy S. | July 31, 2009 at 09:47 AM