I’m not the type of person who throws or advocates for a big birthday bash; I didn’t grow up like that. However, with every birthday, I always reflect.

I look at birthdays as a time to scour the last 365 days of my life (maybe more) and check the progress. I reflect on where I’ve been, where I am are, and where I plan to go. Birthdays are more than celebrating your age, throwing a big soiree, and celebrating for the next 30 days; to me, a birthday is a moment of remembrance and an opportunity to be better.

So today’s my day, and first, I want to give God thanks. I thank God that I am alive and in good health. I thank Him for allowing me to live this long upon this earth. I thank God for protecting me and watching over me, always. When I think about the number of people who passed away this year alone and all the times, my life could have been lost makes me eternally grateful to Jesus. God has been good to me.

Second, I thank God that He has blessed me with gifts and talents. I can sing, write music, stories and poems, produce, and much more.

Third, I thank God that God has placed me in a family and with friends who care for me and love me. I thank Him because I have created memories and moments with these people that I will always remember. These stories will be told for generations to come.

Fourth, I thank God for my job. During the pandemic, so many people lost their job, but I was able to work. I give God praise that I was able to pay my bills and take care of my family.

Lastly, I thank God for my ministry and everything else I can’t even remember. When I wake up and open my eyes, I know God is good. I know He is real because I’ve proved Him for myself.

The Reflection.

Reaching the mid 20’s and teetering near the ’30s seems daunting to most people but not to me. As I look back, I’ve realized that I have grown so much. Who I was, I am no longer. My faith in God has increased, my knowledge in His word has excelled, and my desire to know Him more is what I seek. I know this is where people discuss their dreams and future, but the one thing I want more than anything is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, I won’t be able to live this Christian life victoriously. As my mom would say, you need the Holy Spirit to overcome the big problems. I seek for the Holy Spirit so I can walk right, talk right, and live right.

The next moves I want to make, I know I need Jesus more than ever, and whatever Jesus had, I want to have to.

It’s another birthday and another year. I am grateful that I am still here.