Birthdays

Congratulations, it's  your birthday . 

Wow another year God is good

Enjoy your day

These are some of the many ways we express our emotions on birthdays

So what is it about birthdays?

I've been celebrating the birthdays of some of my very close friends this December. They were celebrating attaining a certain age and I've joined in on the fun. Having not been out in ages for obvious reasons, dressing up and hanging out was extra fun for me. 

So what is it about birthdays that causes us to remember and celebrate? 

I think birthday is a Remembrance Day. We either chose to remember or forget.

For most people birthdays causes them to remember good times, breaks they may have had and lost, disappointments, failures, successes etc. for some group of people they'd rather the day pass unnoticed. 

Yet for others it is a time to give thanks for the good and bad, and celebrate the future. 

Yes, they may not be where they would like to be, but they are grateful for where they are and where they want to get to. (My friends are). 

They see the future with the eyes of faith. Things are tough, but they can get better. They celebrate either with a few friends or with a crowd. They have no qualms about troubles and failures,  for they know God is in control.

For me birthdays is an opportunity to give thanks to God for where I am in my life, to reflect and improve on my person. To take stock. I may not throw a party but I celebrate, get myself a present. 

Another reason some are afraid to celebrate is the age they attain on their birthday. They see themselves as old, perhaps to them it's a reminder of eternity. The thought of getting nearer the grave fills them with dread. 

Friend, if you live a life that is right before God you need not fear any day or year you grow older. Make a promise to yourself to make each day count, that way you will not fear the future or dread your birthday. 

As the celebration of Christ birthday draws near, I urge you to take timeout to reflect.  Its not just another year of giving and receiving present, its a reminder of what his birth did for humanity. He is saviour, Lord and Ruler of all. 

What does his birth mean to you in the past, in the present and in the future?

In the past he set the stage for you to love him 

In the present he is always with you

In the future he is your assuring hope, guide and light. 

Leading you in a safe path and whether you celebrate with friends, family or alone. Remember that each birthday is not to be feared because Jesus is alive and has your back. 

No matter the disappointment you may have experienced, or heart ache faced, 

If you are alive to see another birthday, then there's hope for your future. 

So straight from my heart is this piece encouraging you that 

Christ in Christmas makes crisis bearable

Christ in Christmas, our mistakes covered and guilty past erased

Christ in Christmas, our fears crystallised, evaporates as Stars in the sky. 

Christ in Christmas lights up each Christmas tree, brighten each tinsel 

Christ in Christmas makes all things beautiful all year long. 

Change

 I am a mum of 2 beautiful girls. They  are full of surprise. I marvel that I was once like them. I look at my first daughter and marvel, she's developed and changed in just over a year. Singing, screaming talking and throwing a tantrum, already displaying her own personality.

I look at the second only 3 months old and also marvel. How much she's changed since the day she came out.

They've brought out the best in me. I am more patient, calmer, tolerant and less inclined to rushed or be in a hurry.

In what way have you changed since change happened to you. Changes which may have happened to you over the years may include: relocating, getting married, graduating, getting a job, losing a job, losing a loved one. Having kids, buying a house. Getting divorced. The list is endless. 

I've discovered that we change along with our circumstances. Either for the best or worse.

Some people become negative if the change which occurred in their lives are negative. I.e. divorce, bereavement, loss of job, homes or absence of a desire. While negative circumstances can cause us to be sad, I believe we can allow ourselves to move on pass them to become better for it.

It is double tragedy if we are worse off than before our circumstances changed. If you are faced with a loss, or disappointed,  grieve, take time out, but come out your best.

Same can be said when good happens to us. Some people are completely transform by it and become people of hope, joy and all that's good. They abound in joy, when you meet them you can tell they've undergone change and are better for it. 

Some people are deliberate in how they allow change in their life. They may decide for instance to be better at loving, caring, or sharing due to either the bad or good changes which they've experienced 

Straight from my heart to you is this piece,

challenge you to be deliberate in loving, giving and caring. Regardless of the negative.

Allow your experiences to make you better. A reference point for all to see. 
Be open to love for life is love. 
Be open to giving for life is giving. 
We live when we take up hope and leap pass the place of pain to the arena of friendship and possibilities. 
Your relationships don't have to suffer because something bad or good  has happened to you. 
Be ready to live again, a Renew you after change has Occurred.

Rejection

What does it feels like to be rejected? To not be wanted or acknowledged.

Rejection does not have to be out right refusal of your person. It can be subtle

Gradual or outright silence of an idea. ( I.e you suggest an idea and are meant with silence) no affirmation or refusal.

I have felt rejected before and I know most people have. I've come to realise that being rejected sometimes have nothing to do with what we do or did not do, but may be the inability of the other person to handle us. (Our successes or failures).

A feeling of rejection of whatever kind can lead to dejection, sadness, and depression.

This is the reason  why a lot of abandoned children grow up as adult feeling unwanted amongst feelings of sadness, depression, and dejection.  

Rejection from loved ones, close friends, siblings,  families,  hurt the most and through no fault of our own we sometimes carry the guilt for a long time...

I have decided to live life without feelings of rejection

I know I am accepted in the beloved, when Christ died for me, he included me in a big family of love and nothing can separate me from his love. 

I've been ignored, turned down, overlooked, insulted and been outright rejected. Regardless  I've felt loved. It's important not to allow yourself to feel unwanted. 

Go to therapy, seek help, deal with the issues, but do not think less of yourself. 

I urge you straight from my heart,  if you've been rejected or feel rejected to shake off the guilt, 

See your self in a new light, loved and wanted

Fulfilled and empowered

Renew your strength in actively living life

Strife to love those who may have rejected you

Near or far.

Return no ill for ill

But rather love until you are spent.