Another Birthday!

I am writing this column on my birthday. There are other things that I would rather be doing on my “big day”, but the reality of a busy schedule means that this is the day to complete the task. You must have been counting on it because you are reading these words. Unless you have an early January date of birth also, you will experience a birthday in 2024. As we age, they sure seem to come and go quickly. If family members were to put the corresponding number of candles on the cake per year, they would be wise to have a fire extinguisher on hand just in case.

Having another birthday does not really bother me because I understand that time marches on. God in his sovereignty gives us 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year. This year we get a bonus day. Leap for joy. I know a lady whose birthday falls on February 29, so she claims to be much younger than she is because her birthdays are infrequent. No matter how we calculate it, we recognize that time is fleeting. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14). The word for mist can also be translated vapor. That’s what we see rising when we blow out birthday candles. It is there but quickly gone. I have never heard of a person who has lived many years claim that life goes by slowly. We all recognize that it is fleeting.

Thousands of years ago Moses (who lived to be 120) wrote, Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away (Psalm 90:10). Thankfully I have not seen a lot of trouble and sorrow in my days, but more than I would like. I do recognize that the years are quickly passing, and I have peace when I look ahead to the fact that I will fly away. But in the meantime, I’m going to try to live life to the fullest by the grace of God. Jesus came to give life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). Each new day is a gift from the One whose mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Speaking of gifts, has it occurred to you that the mothers who brought the birthday boy or girl into the world should get more credit? It seems like we should be sending a thank you card when we receive a birthday card. Wait. It is 2024. Does anyone get physical cards anymore?

The point is that whether it was through the pain of labor or the procedure of a Caesarean section, the act of giving birth is no small feat. I know because I was there for two of them! You may even know of mothers who did it a dozen or so times back in the day. Then there is the feeding, burping, diaper changes and crying management that follows. If your mother was like mine, she made each ensuing birthday special for her children. When your next birthday comes, pause to be grateful for your mom. If she is still living on this earth, be sure to thank her for who she is and what she does.

One thing my mom did for me for my 6th or 7th birthday was provide a surprise party. I still remember walking into my house and seeing friends and family there and I was completely shocked and ended up crying because I was overwhelmed. Surprise parties are a great thing, but they usually involve lying. One of my sons made clear that he did not want any surprises for his birthday. I can understand why.

It is a blessing when people go out of their way to make a person’s birthday special. But if you’re one that doesn’t have much going on for your birthday, don’t fret. It can still be a day of reflection and gratitude to the Lord for giving you life.

You can also be grateful if you are spared having the happy birthday song sung to you. Will there be a more strange 14 seconds the rest of the year than when you awkwardly watch and hear people sing to you off key? I guess it’s a little less weird at a restaurant because you’ll never see those people again but of course you get everyone in the restaurant looking at you for those few moments. I know it is supposed to be a way of honoring the birthday person, but it just seems a little strange when we think about it. We are to make a joyful noise to the Lord, so I guess that qualifies.

I wonder what the biblical character Nicodemus thought about each birthday he had after his encounter with Jesus. When Christ told him that the only way to see the kingdom of God is by being born again the wise man realized a person can’t enter his mother’s womb a second time. That eventually led to the famous words that speak of something far better than a birthday gift. God offers a re-birth gift. 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17).

We know that each birthday brings us closer to the end of our physical lives. It may seem like a grim reality. But the truth is we can really celebrate our birthday when we know we have been born again. It means we’re one step closer to being home with the one who created us and recreated us spiritually. No matter when your birthday is, may it be a blessed one.