BIRTH days

by Robin

Forty-two years ago, a little baby girl was birthed into this world, screaming at the top of her lungs at 5:12 am. Today (actually yesterday now) is my birth day. It was a simple one, filled with many cards, calls from loved ones and surprised calls from friends I didn't expect to hear from. I got the numerous messages on Facebook with birthday greetings. I love that too. I even got e-cards and emails of kind words and well-wishes.

My hubby and I will have our official date on Friday when the kids are at a "lock-in" at the church. But today, it was just the simple things that blessed me throughout the day which made it great.

In the evening, I filled in for a friend and worked the DVD player for a class on discerning God's voice. An hour later, I was in choir practice. It was a great time, as always.

It was there that I learned that a dear, sweet older man (85 yo) from church had passed away just moments before. He was in pretty good health until pneumonia robbed him of a good quality of life the past 2 wks. He was blessed with a beautiful multi-generational, multi-ethnic family who loved him and loved Jesus. During one baptism, they had 3 pews of family members come visit the church to see their loved one get "dunked". They loved all the choir music and showed it with enthusiastic smiles & clapping with each song. It was always a joy to see this man and his wife praising God each week.

Let me share with you this touching testimony. On Easter, he was in ICU, surrounded by family and our pastor. They had to quietly sing "This is the day, this is the day, that the LORD hath made, that the LORD hath made. We will rejoice, We will rejoice & be glad in it." It was his favorite song. Even while unconscious, he still had the mind of Christ & squeezed Pastor's hand to the rhythm of the music.

I was taken aback by the news of his death. I sat in my chair a good minute after the closing prayer to think. You know what? I felt like God spoke to me in that small, still voice. "That is what birth days are all about. " Love. A good life. A second birth of salvation via your heart. Family surrounding you. The promise of heaven. And a new birth into His kingdom. It is nothing that MasterCard or Visa can give you. Nothing a stimulus "free" package can solve. Nothing found in any store around the entire world.

I am as blessed as my dear friend was. I have precious & beautiful family & friends that love me very much. It was a great birth day for me, as I am sure was his as he entered the presence of Jesus. I feel so at peace. What a gift.