IT’S MY BIRTHDAY AND I WILL CRY IF I WANT TO

Do you ever find yourself grumpy on your birthday? Do you find yourself disappointed that your favorite people did not meet your expectations of what you dreamed your birthday should look like? Or are you one of those happy and joyful people when your birthday comes around?

This may sound silly (please tell me I am not alone lol!) but I have spent many of my own birthdays feeling disappointed.

Sure, I have had some very special birthdays that have given me some incredible memories. But I usually find myself a little grumpy having high expectations for the most perfect day, knowing that this special day only comes once a year.

Why the grumpy? I have never really known, until now… I have spent much of my life with unrealistic expectations of my loved ones and myself to create the perfect moment on special occations. It’s all about the feeling the day brings. Why would my birthday be any less important? Unless it’s not about me at all…

As I celebrated my birthday this past month, I asked the Lord to show me why I was feeling grumpy on such a special day. A day meant to celebrate. That no matter how much my family and friends tried to make it special, I still found myself disappointed. I asked the Lord why, and this came to mind (one of the sweet ways He speaks to my heart);

I will never be satisfied with me

The more I live to meet my needs, and desires, and put my focus on me, the more selfish and unsettled I will continue to grow. It will never be enough when it comes to myself! Do you get that?

Why would this be?

Because we were actually created for more. We were created for a purpose. “Making me happy” is not the purpose, because we will only get more and more selfish and discontent the more we live for “me”.

We were actually created to reach out and serve those around us. We were created to worship our creator and not ourselves. Here is an interesting article here about the origin and focus of birthday celebrations. It is actually a very selfish day. This artical states that the Satanist feels: “Why not really be honest and if you are going to create a god in your image, why not create that god as yourself.”

We need to be careful where we fix our gaze, as we can quickly become our own god seeking pleasures with unending appetites that can never be filled. But when we fix our gaze and worship our Jesus, our focus changes from “myself” to Jesus. And when we do, we find peace beyond peace and joy unspeakable joy. So should we celebrate our birthday? I will leave this up to you to decide, but there is actually one beautiful reason to celebrate…

The Lord showed me we have reason to celebrate because we have been blessed with yet another year of living.

Yep, today is a gift from the Lord.

After watching a handful of younger family members pass away the past couple of years, I have seen what a gift each day we have really is. Life is a blessing and a gift.

So to be here for another year gives me reason to celebrate because we have a good God who has blessed me with yet another year to spend with those I love, and reach out to those around me. So before you go on to your next birthday with big expectations for the people around you to make it the most epic day, why not fix your gaze on the Lord in worship and thanksgiving and be thankful you were able to love on those around us for yet one more year. One more day to celebrate the gift that is today.

What are some ways you can shift your focus and be thankful on your birthday? Like what you are reading? Pop your email below for more inspiration right to your email!