Alive – that’s worth celebrating!

 

 

I’ve tried to write this blog now probably six different times because the goal was to post it yesterday and for some reason I just couldn’t get the words out that I really wanted to say. 

This is not what I thought this blog was going to be, but maybe this is what this blog was supposed to be all along. 

 

 

Yesterday I turned 21. 

I have traveled around the sun 21 times now, which means I’ve been alive for 7,670 days.

 

Everyone wants their 21st birthday to be a day of celebration, I’ll be honest, mine wasn’t, at least not how I imagined. 

 

You see the last week I haven’t felt the best, thinking it was everything from a migraine to possibly a parasite. 

All I know is that I didn’t feel good and normally when I’m sick it doesn’t stop me from doing things I love. Well yesterday, I didn’t want to do anything, didn’t want to eat anything, did want to go anywhere. 

 

I decided last night it was a good idea to not wait and just go to the clinic.

I was already bummed because my team asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, 

I didn’t want a party, I didn’t want any surprises, I wanted to do worship. 

I wouldn’t be here without the Lord and His goodness in my life, so I wanted to start my 21st year the best way I thought possible, with worship. 

 

But instead of worship at 6:30pm when we were supposed to start, I headed to the clinic instead. 

Feeling terrible. 

 

Sitting in the quiet clinic, I was thinking about not having the birthday I wished I had, and the Lord reminded me of this,

I get to celebrate life, whether I feel incredible or terrible,

I’m alive.

You only have a 21st birthday once, but guess what I have 364 more days to celebrate being 21. 

Yes I wanted to do worship with my team, but worship isn’t just singing songs,

I want my life to be worship. 

 

 

In 21 years, I would have never imagined that I would be where I am today. 

I look back at all of my life, but specifically the last 3 years…

Graduating high school, starting my World Race, saying yes to the Lord, saying yes to long term missions, getting pulled off the field early, living at home for 9 months, moving to Guatemala at the beginning of this year, spending my 21st birthday in one of my favorite places (even if I wasn’t feeling great).

 

I don’t doubt at all that the Lord brought me here. 

This life is not my own, so in the midsts of not feeling great,

I can still find joy in the Lord and thank Him for everyday that He allows me to be on this earth bringing Kingdom closer. 

 

 

I was asked this question yesterday, what are you praying over your 21st year?

This was my response, 

 

More uncomfortable situations.

 

I am praying that the next 364 days pull me, stretch me, tear me from my comfort zone. 

I don’t want to sit in a place where I fall asleep because everything around me feels safe or because I’m comfortable.

I want growth, 

I want to be challenged, 

I want to go so much deeper with the Lord. 

 

 

21, I’m glad you’re here. 

It’s gonna be a really good year, and I got to step into it with my best friend, Jesus.

 

Thank you for all the prayers yesterday. Thank you for all being in my life, you are a huge reason that I am where I am today. Thank you for the encouragement and support. Thank you to everyone for making me feel seen and celebrated. 

 

Let’s not just celebrate on birthdays though,

everyday is worth celebrating.

 

God loves ya,

I love ya!

Go thank the Lord for life today. 

 

Love, Sumer. 

 

 

 

P.S. 

Here’s that birthday worship playlist that I’m listening too as I type this,

These are songs that in the past few years I have continued to go back to over and over.

Songs of thanks to the Lord, songs to dance to because of the joy of the Lord, and anthem songs.

They are in no specific order… I hope you give them a listen. 

 

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ6KovqyADXC8p-tf3H_ia0bb2JtotLOZ

 

Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/27mqfPbkcJS5WsZZJIShhz?si=5af4b8a88ccd41c2