BIRTHDAYS ARE SPECIAL!!

 Birthdays are special no matter how 'young' you are. They are not something to dread but milestones of life to look forward to. This week our family celebrates two. Today is my younger sons' birthday and tomorrow is his fiancees' birthday. (Their wedding is Friday). Lots going on here. But anyway a birthday is a special  event. A time to reflect on the past year and time to look to the future.


When you are twenty you dread hitting thirty. Get out the hair color and cover those gray hairs. Then the Big 4-0 is around the corner and out come the 'Over The Hill' jokes and gag gifts. Next is fifty years old. The half century mark. All of a sudden those people you thought were 'old' when you were a teen are no longer old. "Fifty is the new 40" people say. Then you hit 60! Oh my! Beauty counters sell spot remover cream, wrinkle cream and  then there is a booming business by plastic surgeons to help stretch the face and neck back to their youthful appearance. Time to get to the gym and get back some muscle tone. Next is 70. "Wait just a minute! I'm not a senior citizen. That is when you are eighty!"  If you are really blessed you move on to 80 years old and should be proud of it. Especially if still in good health that is tremendous. If you are active that is great! You do not need to stop living and sit in a rocking chair. Go do something fun and exciting. Keep your mind alive. Go get a job or volunteer. Who tells you that it is time to just sit around? Wow and to be 90 now that is superb! There are stories to be told from these blessed individuals. Respect them and learn from them. Finally there are more people living to 100. Now Willard Scott can read your name on the Today Show and you can get a Presidential Greeting if you want one.

Society, in America at least, seems to coddle to the young and sort of put the elders on a shelf of sorts. This is an atrocity. When you reach a certain age if you want a job, go get one!

Psalm 90:10 says "The length of our days is seventy years, or eighty, if we have the strength, yet their span is it trouble and sorrow yet they quickly pass and we fly away." When we are living it seems we live forever but as you start to get older you feel as if time is flying by. James 4:13-15 reminds us "Now listen you who say today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money. Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for awhile and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say "if it is the Lord's will we will live and do this or that." Proverbs 16:31 says "Gray hair is a crown of wisdom. It is attained by a righteous life."

We have no clue how long we will live or how we will die. Live life to the fullest and  do not sit around pondering how or when you will die. Only God knows the day or the hour. Do not be angry with Him if a baby or young person dies. Praise Him for the life they did have. An infant may go to be with Jesus right when it is born and I have friends this has happened to and it takes some prayer and time to get over as there is no explanation. Don't blame God just rejoice in His perfect plan and for the promise of heaven to those who accept Him.

Be happy today and every day to be alive. Start this day by saying Psalm 118:24 which says "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for each year of life you have given me and the opportunities I have to contribute as well as learn from others. Help me always thank  you and not start putting myself down when I reach a certain age.help me always respect those who are in their  golden years.  Help me be an encouragement to those who are older who feel like life is over for them. Help me Lord stay motivated and active. Help me meet needs around me. Thank you for every birthday you have blessed me with. In Jesus name. Amen.