Birthday thoughts...

I was just thinking about M’s 10th birthday. (TEN!)

…And that led me to thinking about our Ethiopian “blessings” – does anyone celebrate their birthdays?

Now, I will readily admit we don’t do big birthday celebrations in our family. We don’t spend months planning the huge party that costs hundreds of dollars. We don’t invite everyone we know to bring a pile of gifts so huge we need to rent a U-haul to get them all home. In our family you get a cake, a gift, and a little singing. Maybe you’ll even get to choose what we have for dinner on your birthday. It’s not fancy, but we make sure you know that you’re loved and that we’re thankful that you’re a part of our family (which is what birthday celebrations are really about, anyway).

What I want to know is if our beloved Ethiopian children have anyone to say to them, “This is a wonderful day that we celebrate because you’re special, we love you, and we’re glad you were born.” I wonder if anyone (besides God) even knows their birthdays. I will be so glad to get them home and celebrate their lives. I can’t wait to let them know how special they are and how happy we are that God has chosen them to be a part of our family. And I pray that in the mean time God will let them know in His own special way that they are special to Him and that He has an awesome plan for their lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

(Hey, M, what do you want for dinner? I love you!)