1 Samuel 7:12

“…. Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

My little niece turned six last month. She celebrated most of her birthday at school and she seems to have had a fabulous day judging from the pictures and videos that I received. I even tried calling her later that evening to let her know I had been thinking of her but she was so tired from all the day’s excitement that she had gone to bed early. My sister says that before she went to bed she said, “mommy, thank you so much I had the best birthday.” That really warmed my heart. 

Now as I look back at my own life as a little girl I remember I would look forward to every birthday and would be counting down days as soon as a new year started. I could not wait to be older!! Fast forward a number of years later and I can honestly say that I do not always look forward to my birthdays. Certainly not with the same amount of zeal I had when I was my niece’s age. Is there somebody out there who can relate to what I am referring to? 

Why all this talk about birthdays? Well, tomorrow is the anniversary of my birth and on my way back from work this evening, instead of going through a pity party about my growing age I was overcome with so much gratitude as I looked back at what God had done for me throughout the year. I realised that contrary to how I may feel at times, my birthdays are very special blessings. There is so much more to be grateful for as we get older.

Birthdays can be a great opportunity to reflect and ponder upon the victories and the milestones we have encountered in the past. Have you ever looked back at your life and remembered some difficult situations and thought, wow, I got through.. here I am, still standing? As we look back at the past and what God has done for us, we can be strengthened to move ahead in the future even though our current situations may not appear to be favourable.  

Looking back at my past year, I am filled with so much gratitude. There were times in the year where I faced huge challenges and did not know the way forward but God sustained me. Thus far the Lord has brought me. Through the tears and the laughter, the setbacks and indeed the milestones that came when I least expected. Through the lonely moments and the moments I was surrounded by loved ones, through the victories and the disappointments God has kept me and for that I am really thankful. 

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history..”- Ellen G. White. 

May you find encouragement as you reflect on your past experiences and even so on your birthdays. I pray that that as you reflect you may find strength to go through each day with hope knowing the God who came through for you before is the same God yesterday, today and forever more, Amen.