BIRTHDAY GLOW

Lots of responses come as birthdays face us. From childhood, most were hilarious. We couldn't wait until we turned sixteen, eighteen and twenty-one.

Then, as the decades hit us with the reality of the passage of life often with physical problems, birthdays became serious stuff. Even the lists of birthday gifts wanted became shorter and some faced depression as they viewed  life as empty and forgot when gifts were special.

A pair of coffee mugs in my kitchen which were gifts, have statements on them that speak volumes."Give Love: Gather Love."

One doesn't realize the power of small gifts scattered through life. In fact, they may easily be  forgotten until our mind is jogged by one of these monumental birthdays.

Hours away from my present home, I worked with neighborhood children new to our church. These children were blessed with faithful Sunday School  teachers and youth leaders who constantly inspired them to work hard, serve God and life could be better. I treated them as my own children and a long bond was made that has continued to this day,even with my children. We encouraged them to pursue college and life did improve.

One of these ladies and her husband who live locally invited me to have a birthday breakfast with them. Before we left,  they brought out a huge gift, a topiary spruce tree surrounded with blooming pansies. It would proudly stand on my porch.It was a gift from three of those children who grew up to become outstanding graduates and adults with their spouses who recalled that small gift of love that permeated their lives over
forty years ago.My eyes dampen in thanks as I recall the joy that filled my heart many times by their accomplishments. It was more than a birthday gift to me today, but a mature  sense of gratitude.

"Give love" like you are scattering seeds and watch them produce. "Give love" to those you know and those you don't.When life seems futile and worthless, here is an antidote for the gloomies.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Heaven will reveal a lot of rewards to those who scatter seeds to those who are helpless and hopeless. What a dividend!

And this birthday was a special time to be reminded of this message again!