Birthdays

Birthdays come and go each year. Some are good, some are great, and some are disappointing. Most of the time for me, my outlook helps make that determination. Am I grateful for even the smile of someone who cares or am I looking for validation that I am “okay” or “loved”. I have noticed over the years in many aspects of my life that my unrealistic expectation often sets me up for disappointment. I have a dear friend who one year set out to bless her friends on her own birthday. She found great joy that year as she gave of herself, as did those of us whom she blessed. I hope this year to follow suit and find ways to give back to those who have impacted my life over this past year. It will take me more than just a day to accomplish it but for now let me begin with a short message: To my friends, I say thank you. You enrich my life and bring joy to me often. To my family, I say, wow! You have made me proud and have shown me what it is to love unconditionally. To my Mom, I say forgive me for all I’ve put you through over the years! Thank you for bringing me into this world and loving me through it all! To my Jesus, I say praise You, for Your love has rescued me. You have poured out your blessing upon me in ways I could have never imagined. You have given me each day as I gift and my desire this year is to give each one back to you for Your glory. Thank you all for making my life richer, fuller and restored. I pray that in some small way I am able to be a blessing to each of you throughout this coming year. May this day of my birth once again be a time of new beginnings and fresh starts!



Praise, of David. I will lift You up, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You; and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; and there is no searching out His greatness. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honor of Your majesty, and of Your wonderful works. And men shall speak of the might of Your awesome works; and I will declare Your greatness. They shall pour forth the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness. Jehovah is gracious and full of pity; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Jehovah is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall praise You, O Jehovah; and Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your rule endures throughout all generations. Jehovah upholds all who fall, and raises up all those bowed down. The eyes of all wait on You; and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Jehovah is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works. Jehovah is near all those who call on Him, all those who call on Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them. Jehovah watches over all those who love Him; but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of Jehovah; and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever.
(Psa 145:1-21)