There was a time I could not have typed that for others to see! I get embarrassed to bring attention to myself. The worse part about birthdays, for me, is when people to sing to me. I know it is nice but it is so embarrassing and I know I am not the only one who feels this way. I am proud of my birthday and proud of my age! It is something to be celebrated! Mike says in our family we tend to celebrate birthday weeks or months and that is true! Birthdays, in my family, were always a big deal!
I turned 50 two years after I was diagnosed. Mike and my girls gave me a party, at a favorite place, with friends, a DJ and dancing. It was a night to be celebrated and I told my family no black balloons - I was excited to turn 50, I knew the alternative! As soon as the party started I asked if I could open in prayer. I could not have celebrated until I thanked God! My girls and their friends had everything just right! I have wonderful memories of us all dancing all night! Mom was sore the next day from my older brother "dipping" her on the dance floor! She celebrated! My birthday is actually Sunday but this whole week I have been reminded that God has given me almost nine years more than we once thought I would have. Each day is truly a gift from our heavenly Father.
After picking the parents, God knitted together, in my mother’s womb, a little girl that would be born on the just right day - February 28. Jeremiah 1: 5, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. He had her life planned, going through many road blocks, closings, detours before getting back on path. He was so good He would even use those not so good times to bring glory to Him. Romans 8: 28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
I am blown away to think that God, the Lord of Lords, our Creator, thought I was worthy enough to have a purpose. Jeremiah 1: 5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." I cry as I write this because it is so overwhelming. You have a purpose! A purpose that the King of Kings chose, before you were born, just for you! This is worth celebration! When a child is born, there is so much excitement and we are in awe at God’s miracle. James 1: 18, "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created."
Some people do not like birthdays and even dread them. I choose to smile, to be grateful for my blessings and to thank God for another day of life! I hope to always laugh and have fun! Ecclesiastes 11:8, "However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many..." The Psalmist writes in Psalm 139: 16, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." God created a beautiful world and His most celebrated creation is man. He made us in His image. Genesis 1: 26, "Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness..."
God welcomes about 353,000 babies into the world every day. Of the 7.4 billion people who inhabit the Earth, every one is a gift from God. Every person, worldwide, has the potential to make the world a beautiful place to live—through the love and peace of Jesus Christ. That includes you and I! When I look back on all my years, I thank God for what He has done and I also thank Him for all of you who God has used in my life! Thanks be to God!