Birthday Reflection
“Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things, Who is like you, God? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again” (Psalm 71:19-20).
Birthdays. They are beginning to pile up. In fact, stacked on top of each other, they resemble a mountain filled with good and bad memories, but I still love them. I am learning to block out the morning of my birthday, so I can answer all the Facebook “Happy Birthday” greetings, and spend time on the phone with friends. It is a fun, special day.
But birthdays also represent a time of reflection. Do they for you? I ask myself:
Have I been a good steward of these years? Not always.
I wonder, How many more will I have? Only God knows.
What does God want me to do with the birthdays I have left? Always praying for his direction.
I can’t help it, but every year, on February 5th, I reflect on how many more years I’ve lived than my father. He died suddenly at age 39, so 40 was a huge birthday for me. Now that I am well over a decade (OK, now closer to two decades) past that, I feel a thankfulness for the gift of time God has provided. As a sinful creature, I certainly do not deserve it. Perhaps you lost a parent at a young age, then you understand. You don’t take birthdays for granted, you cherish each day, living them to the fullest, because you never know if they’re your last.
This morning, I feel exceptionally blessed God has restored my life, from those early years after my dad died. I am staring at a dozen roses my husband gave me on my birthday. He didn’t have to do it, because he already paid for a life-changing trip to Israel in December. My oldest son, now 25, knew I wanted a Kitchen-Aid mixer, but was too cheap to buy it for myself, and shipped one to me for my birthday. But my youngest son, who’s had some challenges in high school, gave me a most incredible gift, reassurance that I have been a good mother. When our children go astray, we question our parenting, and I have wondered many times if I failed him in some way. But I welled up with tears when I read:
“From your son, Mom, as time goes by, I appreciate more and more all the things you’ve done for me. I recognize kind acts and realize sacrifices, I understand your viewpoints and appreciate your wisdom. And with these things, I discover I not only love you, but I love what you’ve done, I love who you are, and I love that you are my mom. Happy Birthday.”
My son’s card made me realize, as mothers, we have to continue praying for our children, and be patient. Our prayers cover them, and God has them in the palm of his hand. They have their own testimonies, and as they celebrate their own birthdays, they will also see God’s restoration in their lives as we do.
Whether we are young or old, I think God wants all of us to reflect on birthdays.
When is your birthday? When it comes, take some time to look back on your life, and ask God to show you the blessings, and restoration. And before I forget, let me be the first to wish you a very happy birthday!