An "It's My Birthday" Thought or Two

I just wanted to get the phrase "it's my birthday" in today's title so there'd be no question about it. Check the tail end of the post for "this day in history" things.

Referencing my post that received only one comment (maybe everyone thought it was rhetorical?), "Living," I'll try to respond to Christy's comment. My question in the post was, "If God guaranteed you that you would live through the rest of the day today, what is it that He would want you to do?" Christy's response was, "You first." I'm late, but here goes (not sure if hindsight is fair):

I wasn't really sure at the beginning of the day. As the day unfolded, though, my family and I were able to visit some people in the hospital, a couple of them people that I didn't know until that day. It was uplifting to be able to pray with them and to make commitments to pray over them every day from then on. One of them commented, "Maybe God knew that I needed you to come today." Hmm... maybe... just maybe...

"That doesn't count!" you may say, "You're a full-time minister." To this I'd I reply, "Whatever." If you're a Christ-follower, you're a full-time minister, too.

Other things that day... Ever since I began leading music for worship, Saturday evenings have been "Anxiety Night" for me -- a night my personality automatically sets aside to question whether or not I have, indeed, put together the music and the order of service that God specifically wants the Christians at Wall Highway to use to praise and worship Him corporately (and the non-Christians to see Him being lifted up) the next day. And frankly, I think that my anxiety about it has been a thoroughly rotten example to my kids and wife. So last Saturday I forced myself to let go of it so that Christ could be seen through me instead of my worry (see Philippians 4:6). Now, whether or not I actually succeeded would be a question for my wife and kids.

By the grace of God I was able to go to sleep the night of that post knowing that I had done what He required of me. Oddly, it feels really arrogant to say that, but I don't mean it arrogantly. I admit that sometimes I finish the day not being able to say that, and those are days when I ashamedly ask God for forgiveness.

So, today? It's my birthday!! I think that I'm supposed to do birthday things... You know, receive lavish gifts and money from people so that they can know the joy of giving to others, that kind of thing. Heh heh. (That is a joke, but I promise I won't make it difficult on you by refusing your gift, just so you'll know.)

For your enjoyment:

This Day in History (thanks to History.com):

• 1752: Benjamin Franklin flies a kite during a thunderstorm
• 1692: First Salem witch hanging
• 1944: Joe Nuxhall (youngest modern-era MLB player to appear in a game) makes his debut at 15 years old
• 1963: JFK has a busy day
• 2002: Donut truck thief arrested (huh?)

Posted in: Age, Christianity, Life