It's Just a Number

It’s Just a Number
 
I want to begin by saying happy birthday to our sweet granddaughter, Jamie and wonderful son in love, Cody.  Both, of which, were born on my birthday, February 21st.  Since this is our special day of the year, I am going to take opportunity to speak to a couple of truths that have become important to me especially as each year is quickly adding up to more candles. 
 
As a missionary, with the agency that we were connected with, birthdays were a special time.  Actually, it was the day of the year that many missionaries hosted special mission events.  The reason?  Missionary birthdays appeared in our mission publications. This encouraged people all over the world to pray specifically for us on our birthday.  What better way to have God involved with mission work than on a day when the prayers of his people are so focus on the birthday person and their events of the day. Certainly, those days on the mission field, I felt the love and prayers of so many saints.
 
There is a common phrase associated with getting older, “Age is just a number”. I think the intent is not to focus on the actual number but on one’s vitality. Certainly, some “numbers” are highly significant such as the 1st, 16th, 21st, and others.  I am sadden when I think of people throughout the world who don’t even know their number.  No concept of their beginning and certainly no knowledge of their ending time.
 
So, as I reflect on God’s watch care over me all of these years, I am reminded of some truth.
 
Scriptures says, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalms 139:16 NIV) When I was in my mother’s womb and her appendix ruptured when she was 6 months pregnant, the doctor had to preform surgery, which was risky especially way back then. God knew me even then.
 
At about 2 years old, I swallowed a piece of a toy, which lodged in my throat and cut off my airway.  My parents and grandmother were in a panic to rescue me.  But Matthew 6:27 says “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”  God knew my days and that the plastic was just a “bump” in my life, not changing His plan.
 
At about age 8, while riding in the rear passenger seat next to the door, my father turned a corner and the car door flew open.  The event was certainly unnerving to a child especially in an era of pre-car seats and seatbelts.  Matthew 10: 29-31 reminds us, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” God’s watch over me shielded me from harm that day.
 
One Monday afternoon, 7 years ago, I left my Houston office later than normal and began the hour-long trip home.  Not long into the freeway trip, I experienced a terrifying event.  Up high on an over pass, where the freeway split west to Sugarland and north to downtown Houston, another driver made a last seconds decision to go west.  The driver clipped the big yellow, weighted barrels and went airborne landing on my car.  In those few seconds prior to impact, I knew something was about to happen.  I pulled to the left, clipping the driver in the other lane.  I heard the metal on metal of the airborne driver going over my car, landing in front of me and driving off.  I pulled to the side of the freeway, high on the curve of the overpass and began to assess myself.  My first thought was of heaven.  I wondered if I was there; however, looking around, I knew my damaged car would not have made the trip with me. I assessed my arms and legs for damage.  I tried to look at my face in the rearview mirror only to discover that the entire roof of my car was gone except for the 18 inches above my head.  All I saw was sky, which could have been the reason I thought I was in heaven or on my way. I don’t share this to traumatize anyone but to say the truth of His Word, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).   God was not finished with me.
 
Last year, on my 62nd birthday, my heart was in great turmoil so much so that I stayed home from church and spent hours praying, wrestling with the Lord and committing again to Him all of my days. My life verse Joshua 1:9 reminded me even in these uncharted steps of this age to follow his Word.  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
 
I have no doubt that throughout this span of 63 years, there have been many other situations and times that God guarded my life; me being totally unaware.  God has been counting my days for His purposes and giving watch that His number is the sum of my life.
 
As each of us face another birthday this year, I challenge you to find peace and comfort that God’s “got this”…our days and life are in His hands. So as some of you may face hardships, surgeries, changes in abilities, just remember, none of this surprises God.  He knows all so trust Him. Suggestion: In addition to saying “Happy Birthday”, speak a prayer over your dear friend and ask God to bless them.  Have a blessed birthday this year and eat cake!
 
Blessings,
Karen

If I could ever be of help to any of you or pray for you, FB message me. 

***Next week, the blogs will expand to another member of our family.  Our oldest daughter Tiffany will be sharing her blog.  You will be blessed! ***