Happy Birthday?
First, the hat. This was from a birthday party given for me about 3 years ago, and honestly, I don’t remember the total significance of it except we had just returned from a trip to Paris and there’s an Eiffel Tower on top. My buddies made a “crown” for the Birthday Queen . . . and this was the beautiful creation they came up with!
For any of you that know me, you know I am a girl who loves birthdays. I love to celebrate others, and I love to be celebrated myself. Dick and I laugh because on his birthday, I’ve learned that if we go out to a restaurant, I am NOT to make the staff aware of his special day. He wants no waiters gathered around the table singing.
On the other hand, when January 12 comes along . . . I say, “Bring it on! Let’s celebrate!”
Well clearly, this year isn’t the year for gathering friends and eating birthday cake. But it is still a year for celebrating.
Celebrating family – Dick and I have 2 wonderful daughters and 2 fabulous sons-in-love. They have blessed us with 10 grandchildren (yes, 10!) that are truly the apples of Mimi and Poppy’s eyes. The grands range from age 15 down to about 18 months, and we are grateful to know that all of them who are old enough to really grasp salvation have come to know Jesus. Can’t ask for more than that! (We did a Family Zoom call with both families and my 94 year old mother-in-law, who can get around enough on an ipad to join us!)
Celebrating my marriage – 45 years together gives quite a foundation for a season like Dick and I are walking through. He knows me inside and out, encourages me in the good/not so good days, and is my #1 cheerleader (and I’m his). And I will also say that there is a vase filled with yellow roses on our kitchen table right now that shows how much he knows and loves me.
Celebrating God’s “shamar” love for me. As I write each of these posts, I’m overwhelmed with how the Lord has prepared me for this chapter we never saw coming. His love is all over this story. And when I think of birthdays, I’m reminded that all the days ordained for me were written in His book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16) and He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6)
So, happy birthday? You bet. This is a year to celebrate and be grateful for things that don’t really involve a cake with lots of candles or hearing a song sung to you by people who’ve never met you before (ever thought of it that way? Haha!). Birthdays should never be about looking at what we don’t have or what we can’t have . . . but of what we DO have! I pray that will be my heart’s focus not just this year, but in the many years I have ahead . . .
30 Comments
Jessi Keeter
Happy birthday Mel!! Love you!
Angel Smythe Pariai
Happiest Birthday, Sweet Mel! 🥳 While I am truly sorry you are facing this trial, I’m also keenly aware that God has a purpose in it. You are such a light! A testimony of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and grace. May the Kingdom grow larger because of your witness even now. I’m thankful you have Dick by your side, such a tender, merciful gift from the Lord. I’m praying for your healing, 🙏🏻 and for continued peace (and joy) that passes all human understanding! You are loved! 🥰💜
Vondell Arledge
Happy Birthday, Mel!! 🎂 Hope you have a very special day!! Praying for you and praising God for all that He is doing in your life!!!
Nancy Shotts
Beautiful and classy! Happy birthday Mel!
Lisa Roehl
Happy birthday dear Mel,
Your posts have touched me so deeply – your transparency and honest sharing have ministered to a deep place in my soul and have helped me find the words to pray as Randy and I have lifted you and Dick before the Father.
Happy birthday my friend – can you believe we met over 45 years ago! So fun that our December anniversaries are close on the calendar!
May this day hold unexpected blessing and JOY. I celebrate you and all you’ve given to this world! 🎵 ❤️ xoxo
Tina Torbert
🎉HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mel!!🎉 Thank you for being such a blessing to so many! I love you!💕
Cristy Ludwig
Happy Birthday Melodie. I hope your views around your home today are even more amazing for your birthday. I am praying for you and Dick everyday. 💛
Judy Flatt
Happy Birthday Mel! I love birthdays too! Praying you will be especially blessed this coming year with joy, peace, love and restored health! Sending you a big hug!
Libby White
Happy Birthday Mel! Have a great day!
Vicki Evans
Happy birthday Mel! What a beautiful sentiment and inspiring words. We should all be thankful each and every day that the Lord gives us! When you can focus on the blessings from the Lord it helps us make it through the hard things. Even in our darkest times the Lord provides us with blessings. 🎶🎶Happy birthday to you!!🎶🎶
Thank you for blessing us on your birthday!
Teresa Zellers
Happy Birthday, Melodie! 🎉🎂 Continuing to pray for you. 🙏🏻💕
Cheryl Huey Jordan
Happy Birtjday Mel! Know you are loved and are being prayed for. When I think of you I see your beautiful smile and sweet spirit. ❤️🙏
Kathy Kile
Happy Birthday, Chosen Melodie! May the Lord richly bless you with His presence in a special way today. You are dearly loved.
John Jacobsen
Back in 1992-1995 my wife and I, ourselves recording artists, saw you and Dick in concert every time you came to town. In fact at one of the concerts you noticed from the stage how I was mouthing the words to all your songs (by then you had recorded and released the first album) and you came down and talked to me. This bourgeoning songwriter was thrilled! Music never quite became our living, but it did make for some extraordinary ministry. My wife survived a bout of ovarian cancer in 2007-8….and now she is facing another type of cancer though we are trying to find out what (i.e. lymphoma, bone marrow). We are seeing God’s hand move through all of this, but we are also questioning and battling at the same time, especially when excruciating pain would keep her up all night. Know this: we will be praying for you in your journey. And I still listen to your first two albums regularly!
Carla Lambright
Happy Birthday Mel! I remember that hat! I think I’m correct that you have labs (today?) & a treatment this week! Love you & hope you feel well celebrated by your family & family of friends but most of all ‘seen & known’ by your Creator & Sustainer! Praying always for you!😍🎶🎊
Karen Brown
Celebrating the gift of you today, my friend! I remember the “crown” birthday! 😉
Greg Irvin
I decided to post my Happy Birthday here as well! Thank you for this joyful post. I know that you celebrate well because the Lord is singing over you(zeph 3:17)
Becky Eaker
Precious Mel, wishing you a Happy Birthday! Thinking lately about a song you guys wrote and you recorded decades ago. Such great lyrics. “Constant Refuge.” I remember it because I sang it as well. I love the lines; hide me underneath your wings and may each breath I take be full of life in your abundant grace. Thank you, God for Dick & Mel Tunney!!!!
Debra Coomer
Happiest of birthdays my friend!!! May you look back on this day years from now and say “remember THAT birthday? Whoa-what a year!” Glory to God for His mercy and love.
Nancy Anders
Happy Birthday Mel! Your JOY in HIM is so contagious! We love you, praying for you every day and believing with you~May you feel God’s touch on your special day! Sending hugs🥳🥳🥳
C Voyles
Happy Blessed Birthday to my cherished friend, Mel. I am so thankful to you for so many things. The same Mel we saw on stage was the same Mel we saw at home. Will always be so thankful for your Godly wisdom through the decades. Love you so.💕🥳
Brittany Vincent
Happiest of birthdays to you Mel!
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace 💗
Evie Karlsson
Big birthday hugs to you, dear Mel! Remember the old gospel song that started: “There’s within my heart a melody. Jesus whispers sweet and low– fear not I am with you peace be still- in all of life’s ebb and flow…”? I’m singing that as I pray today for you, there’s within my heart a “Melodie!” You are there every day as I’ve learned of your journey. Pelle and I are lifting you and Dick– before the Lord in faith and with deep love and care for you. Evie♥️
mel.tunney@gmail.com
Evie, I remember growing up and feeling kind of embarrassed when we would sing that hymn . . . as a 14 year old . . . “they are singing my name” . . . But now? I absolutely own it. 🙂 And I love that the Lord put that on your heart. Thanks to you and Pelle for the prayers. God is working!
Carolyn Leuty
Mel,
May you feel completely drenched by fountains and showers of God’s blessings on your birthday! 🎂 🎈
Look forward to catching up whenever you feel up to it. 🙏♥️
Sue
Happy Birthday Mel! You look like a queen- or better yet, the daughter of a King! You are such a bright light to all of us…burning bright for years to come!
Melissa Wald
Happy Birthday Mel!!!
Bonnie K Keen
Happy new year of life precious — you make every year look more glorious because your heart keeps growing more beautiful! I love you and celebrate your life every day!
Lauri Burnett
Happy Birthday Mel!!
Debbie Noble
Psalm 139:16 is the “scripture birthday present” I was going to give you yesterday, Mel! Sorry I’m a day late, but Lee and I are continuing to pray that your days are filled with joy. God has orchestrated each one of them. What a good word you shared, reminding us that on our birthdays we should praise the Lord for what we DO have, not what we WISHED we had. Love to you both! 🎂❤️