22nd Birthday

22 years ago today my mother gave birth to me.

22 years ago today I came into the world.

But O Lord, my God, You knew me long before that.
     You loved me long before that.
     And You knew all of the plans You had for me long before that.

For you created my inmost being;
     you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
     your works are wonderful,
     I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
     when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
     your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
     were written in your book
     before one of them came to be.
--Psalm 139: 13-16

You've been carrying me for 22 years,
     and have been upholding me prior to that moment.
No matter the years that go by or the time, heartache, and joy that passes
     Jesus will be my sole (or soul? pun.) sustainer.
No matter the times I turn from Him, His grace carries me still.
     And rescues me from not only the evil forces that work against Him,
     but He rescues me from myself.
Jesus alone is my God.

For this is what the LORD says--
"Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
     all you who remain of the house of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since you were conceived,
     and have carried since your birth.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
     I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
     I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
--Isaiah 45:18a, 46:3-4

So on this birthday I praise You.
On this birthday I acknowledge that it is only
     by Your grace that I can celebrate another year.

My birthday isn't a day to honor me.
It's a day to remember that I have a Maker Who put
     together all of the intricate workings of my body (and brain!)
It's a day to remember that the Maker of the universe also took the time
     to create me,
          and love me,
               and carry me.
It is for His glory that I was born,
     And by His grace that I was born-again.

Let this birthday be a testament to Jesus' grace.