Today is my birthday

Today is my birthday. Today, I was born.

Well, not literally today. What I mean is, today is my birthday; way back a while ago – many moons ago – I was born.

As I write this, my body is now finishing its 56th trip around the sun. Breathing, walking, running, caring, beating, thinking, moving, eating, drinking, trusting, fearing, loving, parenting, laughing, singing, wondering, seeing, hearing, touching, talking life.

As I am reflecting on my birthday, all those years ago, when I first took a breath of earth’s air. I’m reminded of one of a favorite passage in the book of Psalms.

Psalm 139:13-18

13 For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I Was Made by God. I am not ordinary. I am extraordinary. I was fashioned and designed by more than random evolution. I was made with intention and thought.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Stand in awe in light of who I am. Relax; that’s not my ego talking. That’s the verse above talking. I am “fearfully” made. Wonderfully, in fact. Actually, I know my place in the story. I’m not the big point, but I am a little one. One of the points, in the Story that surrounds us all. As we meet, your story (and mine) will change. I choose for your story to be better because you’ve met me.

15 My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

I Am Known. I will never be lonely. I am known. If I was on a desert island or thrust into the farthest vacuum of space, I would still be known.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

My Life Has Meaning and Purpose. Days were ordained for me. Purposed for me. Intended for me to live within them. This agenda, this schedule, was known. Known in a way that means my presence within these moments, minutes, hours, days, years, lifetime is not random. My life has meaning and purpose. I was meant to be here. I was meant to smile at you. I was meant to breathe and my heart to beat.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.  When I awake - I am still with you.

I Remain in the Thoughts of God. Here’s the beautiful part. I was not born, then left to live on my own. I am in the thoughts of God.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the gift of life that You have given to each of us. Help us to take the time to share with others what You have done for us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.