I’m writing this memo on my birthday although you’re reading it much later than that. I began saying it’s just another day many years ago, but as I woke up this morning God had something else to say about that.
It’s a pretty special day in our household when we celebrate the birth of one of our family members. But far too many times I characterize it internally on my own big day as less than that. Then I was reminded of how God clearly stated it in Jeremiah 1:5. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart …” He created each one of us for an individual purpose. Like parts of our own body, the body of Christ moves in harmony with itself. At least that’s how it was intended to be. The last thing I want to do is agree in deference to what God has clearly stated. I’m pretty special and so are you.
Speaking of special, if you haven’t read Max Lucado’s children’s book “Your Are Special” check it out. Every day the small wooden people called Wemmicks do the same thing: stick either gold stars or gray dots on one another. The pretty ones—those with smooth wood and fine paint—always get stars. The talented ones do, too. Others, though, who can do little or who have chipped paint, get ugly gray dots. Like Punchinello. Eli the woodcarver helps Punchinello understand how special he is—no matter what other Wemmicks may think. Our Father in heaven has that same view of us.
The next time you discount someone’s birthday, or worse yet your own, be reminded that God has a tremendous plan for all of us. The day you were born was a special one and all the days in between have meaning and purpose. Draw close to your Father as Punchinello did to Eli and ask Him what He thinks of you. His unique creation. His one of a kind.
One of my favorite quotes by Mark Twain. “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.“
And that’s the memo.
Steve