It’s here! I’m 50 years old today! I’m a whole lot older; and hopefully a whole lot wiser too! I’ve decided not to be quiet about my age, but to blurt it out instead, and thank God for getting me here! If we are to believe God’s Word all the way, the Bible tells us that “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness” (Prov. 16:31 NIV). This means my age is a beautiful thing in the eyes of God. His eyes are the only eyes that matter… which means, I should be celebrating!

So I am! I’m doing some of my favorite things here in Niagara Falls, Canada: spending time with my family, traveling to another country and interacting with beautiful people of all different nationalities, and spending time outdoors enjoying God’s magnificent and beautiful creation! He formed these amazing and powerful waterfalls. It is incredible to view the power of the Horseshoe Falls, and to know that God formed them with His own hands! “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 9:10).

What could be a better way to spend my birthday than to praise God, and forever be a witness to His glory and goodness? What could be a better gift to share with you than eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ? I don’t have to bemoan the fact that my current life has, more than likely, half passed me by. There doesn’t have to be a single regret. Why? Because the best is yet to come!

Do you think Niagara Falls is amazing? I do too! Aren’t the fragile butterflies, the sparkling clear lakes, and blooming trees and flowers so wonderfully impressive? Yes! But they are nothing compared with the surprises waiting for us up in Heaven. This blows my mind! I can’t comprehend it. “And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter” (2 Cor. 12:4 English Standard Version).

There are many lovely photos of Niagara I could share with you, but for now I’ll share just a few, to celebrate God’s great love and care for me all these years. I’ll soon write more about these gorgeous waterfalls and the things I felt God impressing upon my heart during my stay here. For now, I want to encourage you to not be stressed about getting older, no matter what age you are at this moment. Because the silver lining lies in the truth: God has good things ahead for his children; both here on earth, and even more so, up in Heaven!

I’ve felt God’s love and protection over me at age 50, more than I ever did when I was younger. Jesus has helped me overcome huge strongholds, like guilt, anxiety and fear, and anger. Those strongholds lead to depression. God has lifted me up and out of the deepest waters, and up onto the safe shore. He has saved my marriage, given my family miracle healings, and has changed (and continues to change) the hearts of my family members; so we can experience hope, joy, and freedom in Christ together.

Today, whether you are 20, 50, or 80; I pray you will experience the love and joy of walking with Christ. For nothing on earth is magnificent at all without God in the midst of it. May you grow older and wiser with Jesus, no matter where you are. May God bless you all the days of your life, in Jesus’ name!

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Ps. 23:6 NIV).