Another Year of Grace

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus...

2 Timothy 2:1

Today is my Goddaughter, Emma's fourth birthday. Although I live many, many miles away, I can picture her excitement and exuberance in my head. She is very happy to be turning four. She cannot wait to be BIG.

Next week my husband turns 40. While he is not exactly mourning the passing year, he does not share our young friend Emma's joy over birthdays.

What causes us to lose our birthday joy? Do we fear our age and mortality so much that we forget that a birthday is a time to thank God for His many generous gifts? 

I am in the habit of wishing people "another year of grace" on their birthdays. and it is a good thing to remember today, whether it is your birthday, whether you be four or 40, or somewhere in between.

I have another friend who does not just celebrate her birthday, she celebrates her birth MONTH. During that time she treats herself to  little luxuries like a cut and color or a pedicure; and she also allows others to spoil her just a bit.

Yet another friend tends to get down around her birthday and other holidays, and yet she has the gift of generosity, so she spoils her friends on her birthday. 

Ultimately, our birthdays are a wonderful day to thank God for the precious gift of life here on earth, but also the eternal life with Him, won by His precious Son, Jesus Christ. Which makes each birthday, indeed, the marking of another year of His grace.

Heavenly Father, our times are in your hands. Look with favor on all who celebrate birthdays. Grant that they may continue to grow in wisdom and grace. Strengthen their trust in Your goodness and bless them with your abiding love all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.