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“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”  John 1:12 (ESV)

It was unlike any day I’d ever known – first breath, first cry from my quivering lips.  An introduction outside the comfort and security of my mommy’s womb into a world brighter  than I could have ever imagined.  My arrival left me helpless and dependent – definitely not the state I love to find myself in.  Gravitating toward the voice I’d heard in my fetal position, I found comfort and calm nestled in my mommy’s arms.

March 11 is the celebration of the moment God birthed me into this world and now my candles are blazing that luscious chocolate-drenched cake!!!  Birthdays come ever so fast. The calendar flips to January and it starts all over again in the blink of an eye.  Where did all those days go…..from firsts to lasts our life unfolds. Pivotal moments when choices are made, victories enjoyed and sorrows mourned cultivate deep growth. Creating a lifetime of memories.

Yet, sweet friends the best day ever is the one when we first realized how much we needed Jesus.   I remember it well….my six year old self slowly raising tiny fingers…declaring I wanted to invite Jesus into my heart.  Beautiful moment.

Interesting how quickly the enemy slips in creating doubt, “Was I really His?”  “Did Jesus save me or was I too young to know what I was doing?”  Strategic attacks aimed to discredit the rebirthing of my soul.  And those doubts would slay me into my early adult years, until the exhaustion of wrestling found me face down at His feet.  Desperately searching and seeking, I settled my doubts and never again would I question Jesus’ saving of my soul.

Helplessly lost in this journey called life, we long for the comfort and security found in drawing close to Jesus.  Our souls hunger and thirst for the voice of our Creator God – the very One whose image we are to reflect.  Our only comfort and peace is found nestled in the arms of One who gave His life so that we could experience eternal life in the presence of God.

Life is fleeting (James 4:14), a mist appearing for a short time and then vanishing away.  Yes, friends those candles multiply fast and our days evaporate quickly.  But the sweetest days are yet to come when we step into God’s presence and see Him face to face.  Endless days of worshipping at His feet.  Goodness and mercy following us from the moment we  invited Jesus into our life.  For those who place their faith and trust in God,  this earth is the worst we will ever know.

Yes, I’ll blow out those candles despite how many and remember the Giver of my life, the Redeemer of my soul, and the Restorer of all the enemy sought to take.  I’ll reflect not only on the moment I took my first breath, but the moment I released doubt and fully trusted in my God.

What about you dear friend?  How will you celebrate another year?  When you blow out those candles will it be a celebration of you or a celebration of remembrance of a life reborn?

“Sweet Jesus thank You for the gift of salvation.  Praising You for the moment I met You and my life was forever changed – what a glorious day!”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life