Our birthday is an occasion that we can either celebrate for its privileges or endure with reminders. 

All birthdays can have a special meaning when we factor in God.

Our birth parents are the Lord’s gift to us just as we are to them. 

Because of His wisdom in choosing them, we should take pride in our race and nationality.

The Lord has given us, through our parents, things that we would not have gotten from others. 
Our birth place gives us our special characteristics that help make us unique.

The location of our birth identifies us by the way we speak, the foods we eat, the way we dress and our social customs.
Our birth body, gender, skills and even our health are God’s choice for us. 

Whether we are tall, athletic, mechanical or able to bring life into this world, it is all from God.

Even our birth time is in His plan. The period in history when we grow up and raise a family is His selection. He also decides if we are to be the oldest, youngest or middle child in our family.

Our birth purpose comes from our Creator and Sustainer. 

Some call it destiny; the Bible calls it His will. Not only has God equipped us for a place in history but also to make history. We can affect one or the masses as He leads us through our life on His journey. He puts the pieces together for our life’s puzzle. 

All of us can see His providence in something that could have happened, but did not. Why do we have so much when others have so little? Grace is not something you try to understand, but is something you are thankful for.

Our birthday helps us to see we are not the product of chance or circumstantial luck. 

Every detail of our lives is important to Him for we are His special design. He has created us out of His love and wisdom, and if He says it is good, that is all that matters.

Recognize your birthday by thanking Him for all that you have and for all that you are because you are no mistake. 

When we celebrate our birthdays we are acknowledging God’s gifts to us and we can say, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

STEVE CONWELL, pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church, is heard mornings on WFLO and WVHL in “A Thought For Today.” His email address is steveconwell@outlook.com.