So I turned 40 this week
I knew it was coming
I could see it bearing down on me
And all I could do was stand there frozen
Like a deer in the headlights
I looked back on my life
And all I could see was the following:
Failed marriage
Single Mom of 4 kids
Obese
Not exactly how I thought my life would turn out
18 months ago, my mother died
7 days ago, my grandmother died
4 days ago, I turned 40
Again I wondered how my plans could have been so derailed?
I never thought I’d be 40 raising 4 children alone
Without my mother or grandmother in our lives
And 40? Really???
What should I do now?
Buy Oil of Olay?
A barrel of Fiber from Sam’s Club?
A round of Botox?
Things were looking bleak
Until I opened a present given to me by my 16 year old daughter
Among other things, there was a magnet
That simply said this:
My daughter reminded me
That while I may still be obese
I’m losing weight and getting healthier
That while I may be divorced
I’m not alone (Matthew 28:20, John 14:18)
That while my Mother and Grandmother are not with me
They are healed and no longer in pain (Revelation 21:4)
And while I may be 40
God is not finished with me yet (Phillipians 1:6)
I look in the mirror and see wrinkles, some grey hair, and a double chin
Along with a life that didn’t quite turn out the way I planned
But God says
“Now that we’re done with YOUR plans….can we get started on mine?”
For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)
So remember
No matter what comes your way
Even if it’s 40
God has plans for you
He’s not finished with you yet
You may have to add Oil of Olay and some Miss Clairol to the mix
But He will add the wings
So you will soar on wings like eagles. Run and not grow weary. Walk and not faint (Isaiaiah 40:3)
And when you’re getting older, that’s just the kind of promise you want to hear!
So don’t forget
You may feel like wrapping yourself up in a blanket cocoon and crying your way out of 39
But you’ll wake up 40 ready to spread your wings and fly
Because you have a promise from the One who never lies
And He says
You’re beautiful
You’re loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)
And isn’t that something to celebrate?
Beautiful.
I loved your post on turning 40. When I turned 40, I quit smoking. What a gift to myself!!
Holly thanks for being an amazing caterpillar/butterfly that the rest of us caterpillar/butterflies can look up to!
You have such an amazing story!!
Happy birthday Holly! Your story is inspiring, and I love your blog. And it’s obvious how much your kids adore you. Hope you had a wonderful bday!
wow this is so inspiring to get moving again! You are an inspiration
I very much enjoyed reading this.
jaragabrielle1018@gmail.com
Holly,
I’m turning 40 this year too and feel that once again I didn’t lose the weight I wanted too. Reading your blog gives me hope and makes me realize that life is about more than what you weigh. It’s about the type of person you are and what you do with life. You are using your gift with words to give hope to women like me who are facing the same struggles as you. I really look forward to your posts because I don’t feel so alone in the battle. I want you to know that I am rooting for you and I wish you many more Happy Birthdays!
Happy Birthday Holly. I am so very proud of everything you have accomplished. You an inspration. God bless you and continued success in your life!
Holly,
I found your blog on Pinterest (isn’t the Internet amazing?!?) and I have been reading your blog all weekend. It grabbed my attention because I had just told my husband that I am seriously thinking about weight loss surgery (after being told that I need to by my doctor). You do such a beautiful job of sharing your weight loss journey, and your heart, with all of us. It is a blessing! And now I need to get off the couch and go outside and watch my little girl ride her bike in the blistering heat of Arizona… You did it, and so can I!
Wow Holly we are the same age!I got here a month before you though!
Wow, wonderful post Holly. Happy belated birthday Ms. Butterfly!
Holly – I LOVE this. Thank yo ufor sharing your beautiful heart! Happy birthday!!!!
Happy birthday… If it was 4 days ago from this post that makes it the 25th and that is my mini me’s birthday too!!! So nice to know she shares her day of birth with another goal driven, strong, beautiful women!!! Thanks for leading the way to 40… I will be there in 14 mos!!!;)
Happy Birthday! You are such an inspiration!
Happy birthday, dear. There is so much to come for you! Yes, I know that there are obstacles, but you are facing your challenges, and seeing what get to come next, so you are on the right path. NEVER give up!
Holly….Wishing you the best year ever! You are such an amazing woman and an inspiration to so many. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. ~Jen
Happy birthday, Holly! 40 was fantastic for me…I think turning 30 was harder. And like my Aunt Virginia always said, “Getting older sure beats the alternative!” You are an inspiring butterfly…Happy birthday.
Holly,
How wonderful for you! Happy birthday.
One of my favorite things about your writing is how you always take a topic and flip the point of view. Half empty to half full. That is so much how I try to be…I LOVE reading about you doing the same!! It is an absolute inspiration to me. Thank you.
Happy birthday dear Holly…so thankful for you and your journey with God!
Thanks for being real and honest and encouraging and supportive…I’m 46 and going thru very similar situations. You’re a blessing to others
Thanks for the reminder!
I love this post… and I am glad you got me to see it. Even if I don’t win your awesome contest. XOXO *M*
It’s been a while, and I see I chose your birthday to visit! *HAPPY BIRTHDAY!* That Mandisa CD just happens to be on my wish list…
GO GIRL on all of your weight loss success! You are encouraging us all!
Oops, I meant to write “10 years past 40″!
The things you wrote brought such a huge smile to my face and to my heart for two reasons. One, because I am so extremely happy for you! Two, because the words you wrote brought such hope and encouragement to my heart and my mind for my life and my future (even though I am already 10 years past 50)!!!
God has given you such a gift with words, and I find blessing in everything you write!
I pray that God above continues to bless you richly and abundantly for all your hard work and dedication to Him, and that He continues to work through you in the most amazing ways in the lives of many, many people all over the world, for the rest of your days!
I have the greatest respect for you and great, great love for you! Hugs to you always and forever, my friend!!!
Love, Marcia
Thanks Marcia!! That is so sweet of you!! And I will never forget that beautiful poem you wrote for me when my mother passed away. I believe you also have a gift of encouragement and I am so grateful that God has blessed me with you!!
Congrats on your successes and turning 40! You are an inspiration and beautiful, inside and out
Thanks Sandy!
You inspire me! 40 is the new…30? whatever.
Your daughter is a peach! 
I love that Katie!! 40 is the new 30!!
Thank you for all your inspiring thoughts and feelings! I had my surgery in Feb. and I am well on my journey. I look forward to receiving your emails!
Congratulations Sara on your surgery. I wish you all the best and more!!
Congratulations on being 40 & FAB-U-LOUS!!!!
Oh thanks Michelle! I think you’re fabulous too!
Happy Birthday, trust me…the best is yet to come!
Theresa..you are So right!! I believe God’s best is there for us and He will guide us there if we let Him!
I’m feeling the same way about my impending 45th birthday! 40 was a breeze, but 45 is half way to 50! You inspire me to loose weight and keep moving forward every day, thanks!
Oh Denise I know how you feel! I think I cried an ocean over 30 but 40 wasn’t so bad! I just have to remind myself that it really is just a number. And God isn’t going to be limited by how many candles are on the cake…(or veggie platter in my case LOL!!)
You are such a beautiful person! Welcome to the wonderful world of 40!! It’s not too bad here.
Thanks Trish!! You continue to inspire me and I am praying for you girl!
I hope you had a truly wonderful birthday! You’re still young! The butterfly quote is perfect. When I lost 100 pounds, I had my husband draw a butterfly. My son colored half, my daughter colored the other half (totally differently) and I colored in the body and wrote “100″ on it. I still have 45 pounds to go. You are a wonderful writer and an inspiration to so many! Keep up the good work!
I love that Becky! And congratulations on losing 100 pounds! YAHOO! How amazing! I bet the butterfly they colored for you is framed on the wall! I think I should have my kids make one for me too. What an awesome idea!
Happy Birthday!!
Thank you for being you.
Thank you for your blog which helps me to see my journey differently. It also inspires me.
Thank you!
Oh thanks Suzanne. Your words have blessed me today. I so appreciate it!
Holly, you and I? We’re just getting STARTED!!!! Happy birthday!
Thanks Linda!! I never forget what you say…we are fabulous at 40!!
I love reading your blog and posts. They are so inspirational. Your positive attitude keeps me going! Thank you!
Thanks Angela! I really appreciate that. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. You made my day!
I turned 40 this year too and I decided to grab it by the horns and ride it for all it was worth! We celebrated big time, for an entire week or more! I have fully enjoyed this year. However, I’ll soon be turning 41 and I’m not loving that! Loved your post, and thank you for sharing. Your daughter is awesome!
I love your outlook Ronda! I plan to do the same thing. I bet 41 will be just as awesome for you! Thank you so much for sharing!!
congrads on turning 40, i myself will be turning 50 in a few weeks! what a thoughtful gift your daughter gave you. love your blog, you are an amazing person!
Happy early Birthday Shellie!! I wish you all the best!!
What a glorious way to embrace 40! That daughter of yours is truly a gift from God.
I hope you are doing well since your loss and that 40 is an amazing year!
Thanks Wendie for your kind words! I really appreciate it!
You are such a inspirational person. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We are all blessed to get the chance to read your posts.
Thanks Rae Rae! You are always such an encouragement to me. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it!
Happy birthday!! So many things are coming your way!
Thanks Tess! I wish the same blessings for you!
Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your heart!
Thanks Katy!!
Wow Holly,
I felt this way when I turned 50 so you have so much now to look forward too. You have rocked your life and are an inspiration to me more than you know. Thanks for being out there.
Sal
Thanks Cindy! I appreciate that. I believe what you are saying. We all have much to look forward to!!
Absolutely LOVE your blog! I see so much of myself in you. Each and every time I read your blog, I cry, I laugh, and are left with lingering thoughts that my life is a work in progress, such as yours. God bless you! I pray for you often and hope that life just keeps getting better and better!!!
Sarah,
Thanks so much!! That made me so happy when you said you prayed for me. What a gift!! I really appreciate that more than you know. I like what you said about our life being a work in progress. How true is that?!! Thanks Sarah!!
So beautiful, Holly! Happy Belated Birthday, I’m so glad I get to witness your journey, you are amazing!
Thanks Mandy!!
I pray God is never finished with you. Your journey has been amazing! Happy Birthday!
I love your blogs! They always inspire and remind me that God is here with me!
Holly- what an inspiration you are to me! Life is about the challenges and joy, the ups and downs are all parts in between! Congratulations on turning 40!
Happy Birthday Holly! This year and all that follow are all about you girl! You are such an inspiration!
Holly, thank you for revealing those very honest thoughts about the emotions you are experiencing. Your daughter sounds very wise. Could it be she has a wonderful role model in her mother? May God bless your family.
Holly, thanks so much for sharing your story. I am always inspired when I read your posts. It makes me want to get off my butt and start moving.
So, thank you! You are a beautiful person. God bless.
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