Today Is My Birthday! (?)
Planning ahead so it would be nice and toasty later, I switched on the electric blanket that is situated ever-so-carefully on my side of the bed and noticed the date on the alarm clock; "Ha! Tomorrow’s my birthday!" I declared.
Later, as my husband finally fell into bed and turned to kiss me goodnight, I made mention that he should be aware that when he woke up it would in fact be my birthday...according to the “smart” alarm-clock, though my actual birthday was months ago.
Of course, the morning came, Happy Birthday was wished to me and we both laughed. Actually, it did feel like my birthday, which is always just another day.
Just another day...Another day to live. To wake up and move about, or to sit around and endure. How do you look at a new day?
What if you looked at each new day with the excitement and expectation of a child who knew it was their birthday?
When your eyes pop open, or crack open one at a time, what is the first thing you think of? Coffee? 5 more minutes? Why-do-I-sleep-best-right-before-the-alarm-clock-goes-off? Maybe you have a mile long to-do list or you’re facing something really difficult that will make getting up especially hard. I don’t know, there’s a myriad of different things that you could be facing when the day breaks for you.
But what if- what if every day was wrapped up in a neat package with a huge bow waiting for you at the foot of the bed? What if the very moment your eyes opened, sparklers crackled and confetti came down with balloons and party horns blasted, “Hooray! It’s a new day!”?
That would probably make me very grumpy...I might like a soothing instrumental, a low flickering candle and a hot bath drawn while orange juice and strawberries sat on a table beside the tub. No list, no chores-until I have finished soaking...oh! And bubbles! Yes-Quiet. That would put me in a good mood first thing in the morning.
Today my morning started by being pushed out of bed by an 85 pound canine. But that’s okay. It’s wrapped in pink and orange hues, as the fireball sun comes up over the east horizon. It is a gift. Every day is a gift. No matter what lies ahead, what hard thing must be faced, what task or duty has to be completed, we have today.
I choose to start my day giving thanks for it...why? Because I know who holds tomorrow. I know that no matter what happens today I will not face it alone. No sickness, no loss, no celebration, no hardship, no blessing is unknown to He who carries me.
When I encounter days that are hard, scary, painful, I always know that day will end and there will be a new one tomorrow. And so, I look forward to each one-one at a time.
