"Birthday Gifts!"

I love birthdays!  Each year I take my birthday week off and just enjoy it.  I use it as a time to reflect on who I am, where I am, and what I have pending for the next year.  I know that might sound boring to some,  but I have never been caught up on having to have parties, gifts or people flood my phone with birthday greetings.  Don't get me wrong, I love the people who decide to celebrate me and take time to share kind words or gift cards; but I have always felt that I am the gift on my birthday.  I am the one who was born to make a difference in the generation that I was born to, and each year, I should have someone that I have touched or helped to celebrate.  

This is not a new thought to me, I found the same thing in the lives of those we read about in our bible.  Here are a few of them and the lessons I take from them: 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOSES!

When Moses was born, it was in response to the cries of the Children of Israel who were in bondage.  He was born, saved, kept and empowered to fulfill a purpose and promise of  God to His people. Though he felt unworthy, God had a plan for him, and ultimately, he fulfilled it.  REMINDER:  Even if you feel unworthy, you are not the decision maker of that!  God made each of us to be a precious gift, how we are seen, what we do and how we do it, is designed to be a blessing to others!  If we stick to His plan, He will bring it to pass! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSEPH! 

Joseph was born to a woman who was barren, but God had a plan.  Through his dreams, he gained a bit of confidence after being raised in a bubble.  See his parents protected him so much, that it caused division with his brothers.  Soon after they heard about some  dream he was having, his brothers began a plot that not only caused him to lose years with his family, but it unexpectedly catapulted him into the dream itself!  He was not only a dreamer, he was born for this purpose... to provide for his family and save them in the time of drought. REMINDER: What is in your dreams? Just because the path has been filled with jealous people and hard circumstances, does not mean you are off track.  The  distractions and side roads can actually be keeping you ON track!  Don't despise the difficult process, stay connected to God and ride it to the end!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ESTHER!

Esther was a woman who was thrown into the midst of a tug of war between the powers that be and the people of God.   The beauty she was born with was used to position her for favor and opportunity beyond her looks.  Many of us would love to look that good, but even if you feel that was not your portion, don't forget that who you are, how you look and so much more about you is intentional.  You are created to solve an issue or to fix a problem in this earth. All of who you are fits with what you are called to do.  You like Esther were made, for such a time as this! Walk confidently in it!

  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU TOO!

Each of us are born with a DNA to serve and to meet a need in this earth.  We are gifted differently in every area because the needs are different.  Everyone is not made to reach every body, so I need you to ZIG where I ZAG.  The more we realize we are the gift on our birthday, the more we  will focus on who we can help and how.  We will be less upset when someone forgets our birthday, and more in tuned to remembering our purpose as we meet needs.   

The final example that I will give is of course Jesus Christ;  He was literally born to die.  His birth came as an answer to a need , His birth and death was to give us opportunity to be reconciled to God.  He was and still is  the ultimate gift for us.   

As you go through this year, remember that everyday is a gift to you, and every day you too should be a gift to others.  By the time your birthday rolls around, there should be many  people who are blessed and touched by your PRESENCE!  If by chance I miss you this year... Happy birthday!