Monday

What's Your Perspective on Birthdays?

It's my birthday today!
If I had my preference, I'd spend the day surrounded by my family and friends. Since my family is now scattered up the East Coast, I'm going to do the next best thing. 

This morning, I'll have breakfast with my eldest daughter in Washington, DC, where she lives and works. This evening, I'll have dinner with my husband and my youngest daughter in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she attends school at Liberty University.

So I can take the day off from blogging, I am reposting a popular devotional post entitled "A New Perspective on Birthdays." Scroll down to read it and reflect.

If you'd like to bless me on my birthday, would you take a moment to post a comment below and share a story about how God has used Hungry for God in your life this year? Sometimes it's a little lonely posting to a cyberworld, and it's nice to hear that God is using my little blog. I hope to hear from you.


 
 A New Perspective on Birthdays
 
I was writing an article on breast cancer survivors, and the “Pink Posse” invited me to join them at their monthly support group meeting.  They call themselves the Pink Posse because they are “roped together” in their fight against breast cancer.  The women in the group share the common bond of a breast cancer diagnosis and are in various stages of treatment. 

 An important part of each meeting is Praise Time.  They share good medical news, family events, and other things for which they are thankful.  When Susan’s turn came, she said enthusiastically, “I will be 50 years old next week!”

Among my friends, if one of us made that announcement, it would be accompanied by a groan and a sigh.  The rest of us would respond to her with good-natured pats on the back and sympathetic nods as we all pondered the rapidly approaching day. This group of women, however, responded quite differently.  Almost immediately, the table erupted with cheers, clapping, and shouts of celebration.  Their response was so different from what I expected that I was silent for a moment before I smiled halfheartedly at Susan.

Almost immediately the Holy Spirit gave me insight into the situation.  I realized Susan was celebrating because she wondered at one time if she would live to see her 50th birthday.   I was filled with shame as I realized how much I take for granted the life that I live every day.  It had never occurred to me that I might not live to see 50, or 60, or 70.  Instead of being grateful for each year of life, I had been dreading the advancing age each birthday represented.

Psalm 90:12 instructs us, “. . . teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” That day I vowed to the Lord that I would never take another birthday for granted.  I promised to rejoice in “all the days ordained for me,” and I committed to do my best to welcome each new year of life with eager anticipation.  

Will you join me in greeting each day (and each birthday) as a day that the Lord has made?  Let us rejoice together and be glad in it!







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9 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday, Lori. I hope you enjoy every minute of your time away with your girls and hubby. You have been one of this year's biggest blessings to me. May the Lord bless you as you serve him for another year.

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  2. Happy, Happy Birthday, Lori! I'm so glad you can spend some time, including your birthday, with your girls and hubby in the DC area. In the spring, my favorite season.
    All of us should develop a new perspective about our birthdays and our advancing years. Taking none for granted!
    Thanks, Lori, SO MUCH for your encouragement this year!
    Let's pray for many more productive years for the Lord before He calls us home!

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    1. Amen,Buffy -- "teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." May we grow wise together :) Blessings!

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  3. Lisa Kitchens2:16 PM

    I am a member of the Pink Posse and was at the meeting you wrote about, and yes every birthday has a special meaning. Thank you for sharing your time with us and join us at any meetings you would like to. Have a wonderful birthday and enjoy it to the fullest, no matter what year it may be. Thank you for the encouragment you always give and I look forward to many more years of it.

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    1. Lisa,

      What a great privilege to have sat at y'all's feet and soaked up the wisdom and gained God's perspective on our days. All day long, when someone has said, "Happy Birthday, but I won't ask you how old you are. . ." I've responded with joy, "Oh, I'm thankful for every one of my years, and I"m not ashamed to tell you how old I am!" Blessings, and thanks for commenting.

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  4. Anonymous5:03 PM

    Happy Birthday, Lori. My daughter shares her birthday with you. God led me to your blog just today and it's one of those "right word at the right moment" presents from Him. Last May my Mom passed away and my birthday is tomorrow. I broke down in tears a bit ago realizing this will be my first birthday alive without my mother. Dreading tomorrow I decided to take a little break for me and I picked up my newly subscribed to "Proverbs 31" magazine and I read one of your articles which led me to your blog. What an uplifting blog about birthdays and I intend to celebrate knowing, "This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Thanks Lori, I've subscribed to your blog :)

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    1. Aw, your story just made my day! Thank you so much for taking the time to share it with me. It is true, every day is a precious gift, and losing a loved one reminds us of that. I'm so glad God used my words to encourage you on what is certainly a sad day for you. Please visit my post "Is There an Empty Chair at your Thanksgiving Table" to read my journey through a loss like yours. I pray it too will encourage you. God bless, and thanks for subscribing.
      http://lori-benotweary.blogspot.com/2011/11/is-there-empty-chair-at-your.html

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  5. Anonymous12:17 AM

    Linked from Amanda Beth's blog. Enjoyed your guest post over there, and your perspective on birthday's here. Each one is a blessing! Good blog.

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  6. Thanks so much for dropping in, and for taking the time to comment. I hope you'll consider subscribing -- I'd love to encourage you on a regular basis! Blessings to you and yours.

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