I just had a birthday. I share that because it was one of those milestone birthdays, the kind that may have escaped your notice when you were waiting to turn 21, or maybe even 30. It was a birthday that greeting card companies handle with age gags that are amusing, but not necessarily funny. It was a birthday set for reflection and honesty. What do I really think? What do I really believe? What can I do even now to make a difference? Each birthday is an opportunity.
Each one is God’s way of saying you’re not done yet. Getting older might not sound like a gift you want to unwrap, but in truth. it is the absolute gold of your existence.
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Remember when you thought you knew your life direction, what you’d be, what you’d do?
Chances are good your early ambitions gave you a great start, but once you started moving, they couldn’t keep up with you. Your path may have seemed certain, but your steps changed along the way.
New priorities
With time, you discovered what was important, what mattered. You mastered a few specific skills that provided opportunities and options, but even they were not hitting the gold, the place in you that could be all God intended.
You had to have more birthdays to acquire heartaches, and skills that allowed you to reinvent yourself. You had to recognize truth and honesty and the joy of simply knowing life was always about giving, receiving, learning and believing.
Birthday candles are beautiful things because they reflect the light of every moment of grace, and beauty, kindness and love you’ve ever shared. They celebrate your wisdom and courage to continue on despite set backs and challenges. They honor the person you have become, the best, brightest, boldest version of you that exists. You’re the gold standard of positive energy and delight, because you know that God has blessed you, kept you safe, provided for you and cared for you since the day you were born. You know that each day is in His hands, and that His grace will keep you moving forward into a future He designed for you before you ever blew out a single birthday candle.
Boldly celebrate
It’s time to boldly celebrate the candles that keep lighting up your life, reminding others that you are wise and brave and truly content to be right where you are.
Make a wish and step into a fabulous new year. You’ve still got things to do!
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Karen Moore.
