Birthdays never grow old, and though partying styles ebb and flow, every July 10 reminds me that God did an amazing act of love and grace in birthing me to parents and in a family that has always loved and treasured, has always shepherded me in His good way. In my childhood days my family went all out with cake and ice cream and gifts and parties to make me feel special. In my St. Marys days (teaching and working with youth prior to my missionary years) the youth and their parents managed to come up with a hilarious and typically embarrassing surprise to highlight each celebration. (I’m not sure that in eternity I will lose all of the blush from one “tick-lish” themed party there.) And over the years of our marriage my wife and family have treated me royally on the special day. But in my mind, the incredible truth of every person’s birthday is that they are all planned and uniquely arranged by our loving Creator, who chooses the time, the place, the circumstances; everything to fit into His eternal plan to love His world and every person in it perfectly.

Because You say “I Am”
I see eternity
Whether in a burning bush
Or to a prophet in a fish,
Or to a shepherd boy
Facing down a giant
With simple faith in God profound,
Or in a lonely man of God
Calling heavenly blazes down
To burn a soggy sacrifice,
Or for a queen
Risking death
To save her people
On such a day as this,
Or in a maiden
Bowing down
To nurture in her womb
Incarnate God into the world,
Or in Immanuel
Quietly born in Bethlehem,
Or for five thousand
Taught and fed
With two small fish–
Five loaves of bread,
Or in a young girl
Dead on her bed
Then alive
For parents joyous
No more mourning,
Or for a boisterous fisherman
Walking on a stormy sea,
Of for those with leprosy
With brand new skin
Set free from infamy,
Or with some giggling children
Sitting on His holy knee,
Or to that Mary in the garden
Recognizing
“He is risen;
Listen, hear Him!
Listen to Him!
Listen!”
Or the trumpet call
Soon now, coming
When we will join
Him in the air.

M.S.
July 7, 2019

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!

Revelation 5: 12