Birthday Bliss. pt. 1.

The definition of a gift is relative - subject to an individual's upbringing, life experiences, social class...


We've all heard the saying: 'Life is a gift.'
But do we truly grasp it as such? 


Ever since my mother's passing in May 2010, I have made the statement that her work was complete and she passed the torch to me - the torch I would hold high to affirm the goodness of my Father for the world to see. I researched the meaning of my name years ago, but I was re-introduced to it just a couple of months ago when I participated in a class offered at my church. Upon hearing the meaning of my name again, I recently felt prompted to research the meaning of my mother's name. 


Name: Elaine
Meaning(s): Torch, sun ray, bright light 
Spiritual connotation: Glorious

Name: Candice
Meaning(s): Fire-white, pure, light
Spiritual connotation: Shining


I do not believe in coincidences; nonetheless, my mind was blown. She literally passed the torch. The intercessor told me that the Lord needed me to know that Satan had literally been trying to steal my light since before I was born. I was birthed into the earth nearly two months earlier than planned. My mother visited her doctor for a routine check-up and they didn't allow her to leave. She had pre-eclampsia, more commonly known as toxemia at the time, and could have had a stroke at any moment. Satan, our worst enemy, wanted us dead. He knew the anointing that was on my life because of my mother's walk with Christ. But the good news is that we didn't die, and my parents received an early Christmas gift. 


A gift...
Never before had I truly thought of my life in that way. As I sit here I thank God that he did not allow me to die that day. I understand that his desire is for me to eternally live; thus, with each day that I wake I know that the task at hand is not yet complete, and I hold tightly to the opportunity to know more of Him every day. Each year that passes is proof of His kindness and His warm smile upon me. I was feeling slightly disheartened by the fact that the woman who gave me birth would not be spending my birthday or Christmas with me yet again; last year it was somewhat easy to cope with her absence on my birthday and Christmas because we weren't at home. But this year we aren't leaving the country. It often still feels like I should be able to pick up the phone and she'll answer saying she's just out running errands. In a moment of stillness just the other day my Father reminded me that although my mother, who was the beautifully rare spirit that he chose to share with me and birth me into the earth, is no longer walking this earth with me, the One who thought of me before the stars were even aligned still sits on His throne and is with me - and she is with Him - they LIVE. Bliss...