It was a
merry way to celebrate Sweet 16.
I still don’t enjoy being the focus of public attention, but I love
birthdays. Not gifts per se, but being
remembered, thought about and wished well. I enjoy this tradition of celebrating a particular
individual from among the masses, because people tend to get lost within the rushing eddy of life. The world arena is cluttered with drama, communities
are caught up in crises, churches are rife with conflict and families are battling
on multiple fronts. The needs of the
whole consume the wants and preferences of the individual. They have to. We raise families, manage
businesses, administer care, educate, and concern ourselves with all the other
tasks vital to keeping the machinery of life up-and-running.
And yet.
I like acoustic music best, and a good book in the right
chair with a lamp perched just so. I
enjoy different tea with friends than I do alone. My husband is my favorite dining companion. Snickerdoodles are my preferred cookie,
and flowers --anywhere-- make me
happy.
Those are some of the elements of me. And I like to remember that there is a different
list for each of us. Because, submerged
under the current of the collective, the faces of individuals are displayed
for anyone who takes the time to look. When I do, I acknowledge the distinct value of
each one uniquely made for a special purpose. I reflect God when I look closely at another
person, because He looks closely at me. It
is this personal attention that conveys the strongest argument for my confidence
in God’s promises to be a present help.
“I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name. You
are mine.”
So, I am thankful for the plentiful hugs, the dropped-off
cards, the tin of bath scrub and the homemade cheesecake. I am thankful for every whispered greeting of
“Happy Birthday” – because in the crowded floods and fires of life I love being
called by name.
No comments:
Post a Comment