day no. 16,803: forty-six

"The first fact about the celebration of a birthday is that it is a way of affirming defiantly, and even flamboyantly, that it is a good thing to be alive." — G. K. Chesterton

Today, by the grace of God, I turned forty-six years old. That's three hundred twenty-two in dog years, but even more in Todd years. I feel like I've been blessed to pack all kinds of life into these years. I have lived more years than times I've been around the sun. God has given me a rich, full life and it is more than forty-six trips through the calendar can account.

Psalm 46 was reportedly one of Luther's favorites. In it, we find these words.

"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early."

I have found that stream and can confirm that it fills to overflowing. The years come pouring out of me as I try to drink them all in. If this is the case at forty-six, what will the deluge be by ninety? I long to see that day and seek to hold on to as much as I can as I continue to receive more than I deserve.

I am reminded of Lewis, as I often am.

‘Are you not thirsty?’ said the Lion.

‘I’m dying of thirst,’ said Jill

‘Then drink,’ said the Lion.

‘May I—could I—would you mind going away while I do?’ said Jill.

The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience. The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

‘Will you promise not to—do anything to me, if I do come?’ said Jill.

‘I make no promise,’ said the Lion.

‘Do you eat girls?’ she said.

‘I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,’ said the Lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.

‘I daren’t come and drink,’ said Jill.

‘Then you will die of thirst,’ said the Lion.

‘Oh dear!’ said Jill, coming another step nearer. ‘I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.’

‘There is no other stream,’ said the Lion.”

— C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair