His actual Birthday was the other day and we celebrated it then
with close family members. But today, it will be his friends.
I am not so naïve, not to realize that part of his
excitement is due to the gifts that he will get, as well as the party venue in
which it will be held. That’s how a young minds work. He also is caught up in
the flavor and design of his cake. (Half chocolate…his favorite. half white…his
sister’s favorite) In addition, he proudly announced to me that” We did the
Loot Bags, Granny”. He said it in all seriousness as he seemed to be saying
“Mission accomplished!”
It got me to thinking about our own birthdays.
Does the title make you smile; thinking; “yea…God had to
have been happy when I was born” or maybe your reaction is more cynical or
realistic, as far as you can see. You think it is kind of a stupid idea,
really.
Maybe you don’t think that it is a good thing, because
others around you, now, or growing up, caused you to feel the celebration of
YOU as a person, is really no big deal. Have you internalized that message? Do
you say something like “yea, right, like I am a cause of God to celebrate my
birth!” Or have you lived a life that you yourself have regretted your own
birth, as something other than an occasion to be happy about?
Perhaps, you didn’t always feel that your Birthday was the
greatest event. Maybe you felt like your birth was a mistake…you were a
mistake.
Years ago, I was on an Inner City Missions trip into Boston.
One day, we visited a Salvation Army Shelter. The Commander mentioned how she
has seen grown men cry, as they present the man with a Birthday cake. Some of
these men have never had a Birthday Cake. It’s kind of hard to imagine, isn’t
it?
Could it be that you were not considered to be the right
gender? I know a woman who was named a male sounding name because her father
wanted a boy. That has to mess with your mind.
There are countries right now, who abort female babies, as
males are seen as the “better” sex. Before we judge them, we are coming into
and probably have already practiced, here in this country, sex selection pregnancies...
You want a boy? Well let’s abort a female fetus then. If it happens again…well
let’s abort another female. Do you think that is not happening? Think again…there are people who will never
say “ I don’t care what sex the baby is as long as he/she is healthy” Some
people know what they want and will do anything to get it.
I also remember a story about a 17 year old, unwed pregnant
girl. During the time of her pregnancy, her Birthday came. Her day came and
went. She already felt shame and guilt about disappointing her parents. She
thought she didn’t have a right to ask this question, but one day, she got
courage and said “Mom, why didn’t you bake me a Birthday Cake?” (Her mom had
always done that without fail). Her Mom’s answer was “I didn’t think you really
wanted one this year. I didn’t think it mattered”. The trouble with that
thinking was that girl needed a cake that year, more than ever before. She
needed to know, despite her failure, she was valued.
I even read a story about a beautiful young woman who was
the “product” of rape. Her mother made the decision not to abort her. She was
born, was loved, married and lives a productive life. Her mom has the honor of
being called “grandma” because of a courageous decision, which she made in
spite of the unspeakable circumstances of her conception.
So, I am not sure what feelings your own Birthday brings.
Maybe, like my grandson, it is a celebratory occasion, filled with excitement
and anticipation. Or maybe it brings up sad memories of neglect or rejection.
What I do know is that is not impossible to come to believe,
as I have, that it is true… God danced the day that you were born! Your life is
not without meaning…you are not a mistake... you were wanted by at least One
and that is the God who created you.
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I am glad you are here…I am glad that
you were born!
1 comment:
GREAT blog - lots to think about and so true!
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