Different Kinds of Birthdays and a Dash

“I’m grateful for another trip around the sun.” That seems to be a popular statement from the older generation. Last week an octogenarian celebrated her birthday and told me she has no aches or pains. That’s a reason to celebrate! Among friends and family, we recognize years, but we also recognize-sometimes joke about-new decades. Just check a card rack in a store and you’ll see “Big 50” or You’re 70! cards.

Children love birthday parties and lately they have become major events with trampolines, laser tag, and other activities. When we remember historical figures, we see a birthdate and death date, separated by a dash. The dash is why we celebrate; what they accomplished in their God-given days.

Years ago a friend told me birthdays should be celebrated to tell someone we’re glad they were born and glad they’re in our life. I agree.

In my family, we celebrate UNbirthdays. No, we’re not denying birthdays. The cousins live far away from each other so they have never celebrated birthdays together. Sixteen years ago, we started a tradition. When we have our annual reunion, we celebrate that year’s birthday.

We sing “Happy Birthday” recognize they’re all a year older, and acknowledge a milestone or accomplishment. Maybe it was starting kindergarten, moving to double digits, getting a driver’s license, or graduating from high school. Moving from toddlers to college is right before our eyes. We have a living illustration of the brevity of time and how the dashes are filled in. (And we have dessert and a gift from Non).

This October, I’ll remember another birthday, my spiritual birthday. On a quiet October night in a dorm room on a state university campus, a girl in the next room, shared the Gospel with me. I had attended church and read my Bible, but hearing the news that Jesus Christ died for me, led me to make a life-changing decision affecting, so far, fifty-eight years of my dash.

We all have a dash. I see it in my grands each year. The older we get, we are well aware of our dash and how we want to use our days. But the dash since a spiritual birthday takes on a different meaning and is something to ponder: spiritual… Share on X

How do you feel about birthdays? Birthdays and spiritual birthdays are tremendous gifts. Tell us about yours, and gratitude for your dash.

“As your days, so shall your strength be.” (Deuteronomy 3:25 ESV).

“The Dash” is a poem with variations from several people. I found this one by Ron Tranner ©

Speaking of birthdays,  I’m speaking at Taylors First Baptist Church for a Taylors Women Breakout on Saturday, October 11.  The topic is When Gray Becomes Radiant and we will encourage each other to see that age is just a number and gray (hair) is only a color. We’re meeting from 9:30-11 and serving a light breakfast. There is no cost to attend, and it’s open to all women. You can register here so we have enough handouts and coffee:) Hope to see you!

And one more note: 

It hardly seems possible but  Destination Hope: A Travel Companion When Life Falls Apart is celebrating its 4th birthday. The pages offer a beacon of hope when life is interrupted and sometimes even falls apart. Offer hope to someone’s “dash” today. Amazon and Christianbook.com are offering sale prices to celebrate.