Bethany Well

Okay, technically, today is not my Birthday. Technically, my birthday was yesterday, the 26th (same birthday as Derek Jeter one year apart… what has he done with his life???) But as I spent yesterday with my wife, I began to ponder about this very thing called a Birthday.

After all, what did I do exactly on my birth-day. Not much of anything. My mother was the one doing all of the work, so why don’t we send presents to her on my birthday? [I know a guy who sends flowers to his mom on his birthday... very sweet gesture.]

As I received facebook wall posts, emails and text messages, I began to actually feel special. “People like me!” I began to believe. And even a few of the people close to me would even express that in giving me presents. But of course, there is nothing that I have done to deserve any gifts. There is nothing that I have done for my friends that demands any sort of recompense for my friendship. But I receive presents nonetheless.

And your birthday experience is probably no different than mine. You probably spend it reading Wall posts or text messages and receiving presents as well. Attention and gifts. Regard and… Regalos. =D

The reason why I say that everyday is my birthday is because I love the attention when you think about it, the special attention that I receive is the same type of regard that God has for me every single day. He does not only remember me or message me once a year. But rather he is in constant communication with me every single day of the year. Every single moment.

And then the idea of gifts… Well, we already know that God is in the gift-giving business. The ultimate Gift that we’ve received is the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus on the cross. However, God bestows blessings upon blessing, grace upon grace throughout our lives. If you like receiving gifts (who doesn’t?) then remember the gifts that God bestows on you every moment of your life, not just once a year.

God loves you and regards you as lovely all the time. Not just on your birthday. God gives many gifts to you throughout your life, sometimes without us even noticing it. (Have you ever given a gift anonymously?) So, today might not be your birthday, but that doesn’t mean that someone isn’t thinking about you all the time and giving you gifts that you don’t deserve.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17

Written by: RjL on June 27, 2008.