Just Another Day

Have you ever asked someone, "What did you do for your birthday?" Or said to them, "I hope you have a great birthday"? I'm guessing just about all of us have. And have you received this response: "Oh, it's just another day". Or how about, "it's just like any other day". I caught myself saying those exact words the other day when a dear friend sent me a text saying, "are you doing anything special on your birthday?" My response: "it's just another day". As soon as I sent that text I thought, why did I respond like that? Why do I so often feel that? Or the REAL question is, why do I try to convince myself of that? It seems like for the past several years, I psyche myself up for the let down I feel on my birthday. Please don't get me wrong, my husband and kids do a great job loving on me on my birthday. And I do receive so many wonderful well wishes on my birthday. So what is it? What is that longing deep down inside that tries to creep up year after year? And why do I constantly keep pushing it back down "where it belongs" by trying to convince myself it's just another day. And I'm fine...right?

There's a song by Casting Crowns called "Just Another Birthday". I cry every single time I hear it. No, seriously, every single time! There is something in that song that strikes so very close to that longing that I keep shoving deep down inside, even though a lot of that song doesn't necessarily pertain to me. You see, this longing that I have is the longing of knowing I am loved so very much, and that my birthday isn't just another day. I want my dad to actually stop by (because he lives and works within a 2 mile radius of my house and drives by many times) and see me, on my birthday, and tell me happy birthday. I want him to hug me. I mean really hug me. I want him to treat my birthday like I treat my kids' birthdays. I don't want it to be just another day. I don't want a phone call two days later with someone wishing me a happy birthday and saying, "I'm so sorry I forgot. I didn't turn the page on my calendar until today." I don't want to receive a card in the mail from someone who lives 2 MILES AWAY! Good grief, couldn't they just drop it off?

Of course, as I sit here typing this with thoughts swirling around in my head, the guilt is creeping in. I envision it like growing vines, entangling my thoughts until the guilt has won over. Why am I feeling guilty? Because I don't deserve this on my birthday. I don't deserve the well wishes. Do you know how many birthdays I have forgotten? Seriously! I stopped wishing people happy birthday on Facebook because I forgot a few and now, if I start up again, the people I forgot are going to think, "she didn't wish ME a happy birthday." And I FINALLY gave my brother HIS birthday card yesterday! Almost a week late! Oh boy! Who am I to wish for everyone to dote over me on my birthday when I don't do it to others? UGG! Is there any hope for me?

There is a verse in 1 John that says, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" You see, I have come to realize that my birthday is not just another day. And my Daddy, my heavenly Papa, is so rejoicing on my birthday. It the day HE decided I was to be born because there was great things I needed to do for Him. It is a day that I, too, can rejoice because he has brought me through another year. He allowed me to a mom to our four kids for another year. He allowed me to be a wife for another year. (even though I feel like my kids and my husband are ready for an upgrade. HAA) He has given me so much to enjoy this past year, has been so very faithful through all the ups and downs.

And you know what? YOUR birthday is not just another day either! It is the day God chose to bring YOU into the world to do great things for Him. I hope you know this. I hope you know just how special you are. Not just on your birthday, but every single day. Ephesians 3:17b-19 says: "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." WOW!

So guess what? Tomorrow's my birthday! Tomorrow I'm going to rejoice in what God has done over the past year and wait anxiously to see what He will do over the coming year. My Papa is rejoicing over me. And He is rejoicing over YOU too. I pray you are filled to the measure of all the fullness of God!

My birthday is NOT just another day! And neither is yours! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!