As I reflect on my daughter, Sarah's, birthday I think about how time flies. Mike and I talked today about her graduation and how emotional this milestone has been for us. Milestones cause us to stop and measure where we are in life and to evaluate what we are devoting our time and attention to. It seems like just yesterday we had the excitement of a newborn baby. Sarah does not want to celebrate today because she lost a friend last year on this day. As we celebrate Sarah's life today, I am also reminded that this is the most important and sometimes the least important day of our life.
My birthday was always a special day growing up. Our family celebrates birthdays for weeks. Some say it is our birthday month. I always had milestones to look forward to: I remember wanting to be in the double digits! Then I wanted to be a teenager. Then I wanted my license! Then I wanted to be "legal". Then I wanted to be an adult! After 21, the numbers lost some excitement. I remember 30 just seemed old! And time marched on! Forty came with a new sense of independence. Then before I turned 50 I received AARP notices in the mail! Mike and the girls gave me a 50th birthday party and we celebrated! I said there better not be any black balloons. I was so grateful for the gift of life after not knowing if I would be around to celebrate 49 or 50! My doctors say my most important date is August 30, 2012 which is my diagnosis date.
Birthday celebrations have been around for years. Matthew 14: 6, "On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much." God the Father welcomes about 353,000 babies into the world every day according to the internet I am sure He celebrates each miracle gift that He breaths life into!
I believe there is a real celebration when someone is born again! Truly the most important date should be when we are born again. When we decide to die to ourselves and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. John 3: 16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This date will never end. This dates gives us all eternity to spend with Jesus in Heaven! A free gift. All we have to do is accept. Ephesians 2: 8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..." 2 Corinthians 9: 15, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
Sarah, when you entered my life, I came to know the real meaning of love! On your birthday, I really want to thank God for sending you as a blessing in my life. I love you! Happy birthday, Sar Bear!
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