Volume 12, Issue 15: Take Time To Celebrate

Like many in my setting, I didn't grow up celebrating birthdays. Celebrating birthdays became common after we had children. But even then, we only celebrated our children's birthdays. We did not celebrate our birthdays as adults, until recently. But even so, it still feels awkward to me to invite guests to celebrate my birthday.

I went against my objections to the idea of celebrating my birthday and invited guests over. It was the best thing I had done for myself in ages. We had a wonderful time. It was nice being celebrated, appreciated, blessed, sang for and gifted. People can be so kind. It reminded me of a portion of Scripture.

The twenty second verse of the fifth chapter of the book of Galatians says, "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard. Things like affection for others, exuberance about life and serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people".

I felt loved by these people who set aside hours of their Saturday afternoon and evening to spend with me. They gave of their time and resources on my account. What a blessing! It left me wanting to bless them back even more than I had done by setting a table for them.

I am coming to appreciate that celebration is an important part of life. One's birthday is an opportunity to celebrate the countless goodness of the Lord. To have lived almost halfway through my desired exit age, I thank God for bringing me through fire and water in order to bring me to a place of abundance. Therefore I don't want to let these occasions go unmarked. I want to celebrate what God has done.

I hope you are encouraged to take time to celebrate not only your birthday and the birthdays of your loved ones, but to also celebrate at different occasions of life when you are touched by the Lord's goodness in your life, and in the lives of those around you.

For His Glory,

Lillian Chebosi