Undeserved Gifts

When I was reading the devotional from April 30th that stated, “When you realize that everything you have is an undeserved gift from a gracious creator your countenance more clearly reflects joy, gratitude, and generosity”, I couldn’t help but notice the truth behind this when I was celebrating my birthday this week. 

In the past years I never looked forward to my birthday because as an introvert, I never felt comfortable with the amount of attention I received from family and friends. May 2nd was always a day of being overwhelmed, so much that it got to the point of me deleting it off of my Facebook so people wouldn’t know its my birthday— call me crazy I know. But this year looked completely different when I took this devotional into account.  

Instead of making it a day all about me, I used it as a day to celebrate all the people who have made me get to my 22nd year of life. Why? Because the moments and experiences (small or big) created with the people around me are all undeserved gifts I have received from God. To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my birthday this year and I noticed my countenance reflect the fullness of Christ. Understanding that another year of life is something freely and extravagantly given by God brought me so much more joy and gratitude for my 22nd year. I hope I can take this lesson not only into all of my birthdays, but also every other day this year.