In our family March Birthdays dominate! Shout out to all the March babies out there.
Whoop whoop!
However, my birthday happens to be 6 months later in September... yet, everyone in the family decided that they didn’t want me to be the Lone Ranger while my Dad, sister, brother and cousin got celebrated and lavished with presents... they decided I should celebrate a 1/2 Birthday! Now, hold it right there....I know what some of you may be thinking at this point, as I had mixed feelings about this too...or some of you may not? Anyway, parts of me thought, “Uuhhmmmmm.....booyah!!!!! What a privilege, to celebrate a 1/2 birthday and open gifts when it’s technically not my real birthday...on the flip side I was torn thinking “Why should I be taking away from everyone else’s big day? I should sit back and watch while the real birthday recipients get celebrated.”
But, WAIT........an epiphany!!!!! My perspective changed forever......
I could have been excluded from festivities and have been told, “Wait for your birthday when it comes around in September...." But, no - my family decided to take time to Include and make me feel special and apart of the celebration- despite the fact that I had no reason to get the special “birthday treatment.”
Who hasn’t felt excluded at least once in their life???? I know I have and it’s not necessarily a confidence booster....makes you feel worthless and puny doesn’t it? You start to question your self-worth. Correct me if I’m wrong, but can’t think of one person that doesn’t want to be included or feel like they’re apart of something???? Right?
As Easter weekend has arrived, my mind gets fixed on the selfless sacrifice of Christ. He did not have to die on the cross or even acknowledge us. The correlation that Jesus could have easily Excluded us from his grand plan of Eternity... rather chose to Include us instead. Why you ask???? Because of four simple letters.....
L-O-V-E! Lets reflect even further.....there are 7.6 billion people on this earth and to think that the God and Savior of the universe would take time out of each day to make each of us feel like we’re His favorite! He meets each of us uniquely where we’re at in life so we can better relate to Him.....that’s pretty astounding to think of....He chose to include us!
John 10:10 (MSG)
“ I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
1 Peter 2:9 (MSG)
“ But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you- from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”
2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”
I’m not sure who will read this post or if this will resonate with anyone but I can tell you....believer or not, that you are INCLUDED, you are Worth it and you are CHERISHED!!!!
In realizing all that’s above cheers to living life like it’s your 1/2 Birthday!
Loads of Love,
X ~ Jenneka & The Sibs
