My Spanish BIRTHDAY Card!

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Well, here we are, friends. The eve of my birthday.

And I got a Spanish love letter from God.

Haha, no but really. Allow me to tell you the story —

So over the weekend, I needed to go to a different Mass than usual, because of some plans I had on Sunday. So I searched Google to find a church near me that offered a time I could swing, and low and behold, when I got there…the Mass was in Spanish.

Which, was fine. I’ve taken seven years of the language, so I was able to understand some of it.

But it actually gave me a beautiful opportunity to spend the Mass listening. The meditative lull of the romantic language, with its rolled R’s and cavernous vowels, put me in a peaceful state where I was really listening for God.

My heart was in a bit of a weird place, coming into Mass. My birthday is never something I look forward to, if I’m honest. Each year is just another reminder how different my life is, compared to where I thought I would be at this stage of life. And particularly, how the chyron on my dating app profile is one year older, and one year less desirable to men.

Anywho — that was the headspace I was in, and I was really asking God to just calm my anxieties about this next trip around the sun, and reveal to me some birthday wisdom.

And well — He showed up.

I was following along with the readings at Mass — the only English thing I could find in my Spanish missalette — and…

First – from the first reading: Ecc 2 — “For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart?“

And secondly — from the second reading, Col 3 – “Think of what is above, not of what is on earth…You have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed.“

Well, if that couldn’t be more plain as day, I don’t know what is?

These last few weeks, my heart has just been in knots, thinking about getting older. I’ve been focusing so much on trying to control my future, and my love life, and job opportunities, and finances — those earthly things that I have been letting define who I am, and what I am worth. And in a way, that tight grip of control is actually a lack of trust in God. I’m forgetting what has been the cornerstone of my recovery: that my worth is as a child of God. Not from any of those other “definers” in life, like marital status, income bracket, LinkedIn profile, etc. His truth sets me free.

God wanted to remind me, yesterday in that Spanish Mass, that, I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

I spent the rest of the Mass, thinking about that word: renewed. Because the fact is, with God’s immeasurable grace and mercy, I have taken off that old self — I am now 12 years strong in recovery from an eating disorder that nearly took my life. I was dead in mind, spirit, and nearly body, and He broke through the wall around my heart, saved me from that darkness, and has been renewing me every single day since.

Renewal is not a one time thing. Just ask my skin care regimen. It is an every day, consistent process of turnover and growth. And I am right where I’m supposed to be in that journey.

And that, friends, is something to celebrate.

Today, I am celebrating life. Celebrating the fact that I was blessed with another year to live. Blessed that I’m here, and didn’t succumb to anorexia, and blessed with health of mind, body and soul. I’ve been blessed with an incredible family, and wonderful friends that I love and cherish with my whole heart. And blessed with a job that I love, and people I have met along the way who truly enrich my life. And blessed that I have a God who loves me enough to die for.

That is my birthday reflection this year.

Turns out, I was supposed to stumble into that Spanish Mass afterall. 🙂

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

TAKE ME TO THE B³ STORE!
Yay for cute hats!


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BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

252 thoughts on “My Spanish BIRTHDAY Card!”

  4. A year has passed,
    Time to renew.
    This is your day,
    To redefine you.

    Looking back,
    At the good, the bad.
    You’ll find much treasure;
    Worthy to be had.

    With every laugh, a memory;
    Every tear, a lesson
    Growth comes to us all;
    Every age and season.

    I wish you a blessed birthday.
    May joys eternally follow.
    I wish you the best day ever;
    And a better one tomorrow.

    Happy Birthday Caralyn. God Bless You.

    Like

  5. A year has passed,
    Time to renew.
    This is your day,
    To redefine you.

    Looking back,
    At the good, the bad.
    You’ll find much treasure;
    Worthy to be had.

    With every laugh, a memory;
    Every tear, a lesson
    Growth comes to us all;
    Every age and season.

    I wish you a blessed birthday.
    May joys eternally follow.
    I wish you the best day ever;
    And a better one tomorrow.

    Happy Birthday Caralyn. God Bless You.

    Like

  9. A few Sundays ago, I tried a new church because it started at 2:30, which is more reasonable than 8 a.m., lol. It was Burmese. 😶 The pastor and his wife (plus baby) saw me walk in, came back to me, and asked me not to leave. Then, midway through service, which lasted until 5 (!), a woman sent a microphone my way and asked me to introduce myself.
    Every day is a new adventure.
    Happy birthday!

    Like

  10. What a beautiful gift for your birthday. God loves you and so do so many of us. Many happy returns of the day and lots of love 💕 🤗🍷💃🏻🌹

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  11. That’s really good. The Holy Spirit definitely isn’t confined to a language barrier. I actually get my dad a Spanish birthday card every year. He doesn’t know what it says. I don’t even know what it says. But He feels that love that exudes off of it. Plus he likes looking up the meaning later when I’m not around;) Happy Birthday today:)

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  12. Happy Birthday 🎁🎊🎂🎈🎉 lovely girl with a lovely spirit and lovely soul!! You are blessed in every day you move forward from the harsh experience you went through. Hugs and love from me on each of those days!! Xoxoxoxo Was this church in NYC? Was it kind of near

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    1. Sorry!! Was it kind of near SoHo or Chelsea? I MAY have gone to it on one of my NYC day trips! I had time before my bus so I looked up Spanish masses, and most of what I found was on Sunday, or too late on Saturday EXCEPT this one and it was beautiful! Maybe it was the same one???? More love and hugs xoxoxoxoxo♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

      Like

      6. Wow how amazing is that!! Then again, you’re amazing so anything you do is full of beautiful possibility and inspiration!! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

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  20. You reflected beautifully the feelings those of us who are alone feel every year when our birthday comes, especially if we’ve had dreams, desires or goals that haven’t come true yet. I often reflect upon my life and ask God where is my partner, even if there will ever be one, but then I look at what I have–more than most–and I get back to work at the present task: rebuilding this church. Maybe I’ll meet someone maybe I won’t. Then, I think, “If not, perhaps my blog, my work with the church or a bequest changes the direction of more than a few lives, that was God’s plan.
    You will always be desirable to men, except the foolish ones. No worries there. It’s in your DNA. It’s the way you carry yourself. You have a radiant personality. God bless always.

    Like

  21. What a beautiful, uplifting and God-inspiring post! I felt His peace while reading it. The second to last quote truly blessed my heart! Happy birthday Carelyn! May God bless you to see many more in Jesus name! May you continue to “bloom” 😉 in all His ways and let His will be done in your life ❤ blessings! I want CAKE! thank you. 😛

    Like

  23. Wishing you a truly happy birthday! all the more since it’s not something you enjoy 😉

    And, I needed to hear this too. My birthday is also approaching all too close and I’m not really looking forward to the one-more-year-older thing. But remembering that I am where the Lord wants me, and that anxiety won’t do me any good – Yeah. That’s something I need to hear!

    Like

  24. Happy Birthday to an inspiration in practical Christian living. Yes we do add another year, then another and sometimes feel like shouting STOP! But each day is a gift we can accept from God or decline to be grateful for. It’s our choice, but we are energized when we are grateful and blessed too. May God richly bless you as you enter another year. 🙂

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  25. Happy birthday girl! Wishing you love, happiness and peace always. 💛 remember God has a plan. One of the hardest things for me has been accepting where I am today compared to where I thought I’d be. I’m happy though that my life looks different than others- so should you be. Our lives are unique to our journey.

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  28. Have a wonderful birthday, Caralyn! Each day and each new year are such precious gifts from God. I love how He orders our steps to speak the specific words that we need to hear – when we truly need them. Renewed is such a beautiful word – at any age. ❤

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  29. Happy Birthday! Today is my birthday (August 7th). I’m tickled to know so many people who celebrate their birthdays in August. With your post, I’m reminded of a wonderful song called “Evidence.” The 8:30 worship team sings it every few months, and it’s one of my favorites. In part, the verses read, “Love is the evidence.” You are a shining example of love!!

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    1. Thank you so much Laura Beth!! Oh my gosh happy birthday my dear friend! I hope you have an amazing day! and gosh, what kind words. SO very touched! big hugs xox

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  30. What a gift from God for your birthday. I wanted to tell you, as a mom I often think I love my children’s birthdays more than they do. It is an incredible gift to have children and watch them grow and (hopefully) walk with the Lord. I am blessed that all four of my children do. I know how you love your family, so maybe it will help you to think of your birthday from your mom’s perspective. You were and are a gift to her. Also, as an encouragement, my first three kids all were married before they were 22. My last at 28. God has this under control. Happy birthday!

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    1. Thank you so much Bonnie! Aww, this is such a beautiful reflection. You have such a beautiful heart! big hugs xox

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  32. Happy belated birthday!! I love reading your posts 💓 They’re so encouraging and inspiring. And it’s wonderful to hear from a recovered sister in Christ!! Feel free to check out my blog if you get the chance.

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  33. Happy Birthday kid! I loved your message today. I’ve been away for a while trying to find something; someone who was never lost. May God bless you and all that you do for his kingdom. Have an awesome day!

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  36. Happy belated Birthday Caralyn, and thanks for the reminder of God’s grace and mercy. I’ve been up against, “The Man” this week. Not getting what I expected, not getting what I need, bummer. But ya know what, if not for the touch of God’s healing hand, I would not have had my last 20 years of this life. Muchas gracias for resetting my perspective. You’re the best.
    ;-D an

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    1. Thank you so much Dan! I really appreciate your kind words. God will always be there for us 🙂 sorry it’s been a tough week. hang in there. hugs xox

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  37. A beautiful birthday post for a beautiful girl with a gorgeous heart for the Lord. Hugs to you for this next year – May it be filled with many blessed SURPRISES!!😘

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  43. Hope you had a good birthday and belated good wishes for it.

    I know exactly what you mean about hearing God. A couple of times I have been to a Polish mass with a friend and my Polish is limited to Yes / No and a couple of other words on a good day. Despite that during the service there was something about the music, the words and the flow that was so familiar in relation to the feel of God. I don’t believe it was chance and it let me focus on God in a way that doesn’t normally happen as the words weren’t getting in the way.

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    1. THank you so much!!! Oh my gosh it was the absolute best birthday! 🙂 oh how awesome – a Polish mass! I would absolutely love to experience that! I agree — and you know what they say — the Holy Spirit doesn’t need words to speak to us — He speaks in groanings of the heart!! big big hugs to you xox

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