Why My Father Never Liked My Birthday!

I know that title sounds terrible, but I can assure you it’s not as bad as it sounds.  You see, my father was a public school teacher.  Early on, when the family was young and his salary was on the lower end of the spectrum, he would work summer jobs like driving a bus for a local day camp.  Later on, however, he would use his summers to do projects around the house and spend time with the family.  I believe he really enjoyed his summers.  But as any school teacher can understand, when the last week of August came, his mind would switch to preparing himself for going back to school and starting the new school year.  Well, that is exactly when my birthday came: August 25^th (yes, that was yesterday!). 

It wasn’t that my dad wasn’t glad that I was born. It was just that my birthday became the signal that the new school year was about to start.  My birthday brought about a shift in his mind—i.e. the end of the summer had arrived and it was time to get back to the classroom!  Thus, in a half-joking way he would almost always comment, “Oh, no! Tim’s birthday is here!”  I understood.  My feelings were never hurt, for it was true not only for him, but for all of us as a family. My birthday was the signal that the last week of summer had arrived and in a very short time we were all going back to school!

Throughout our lives we receive hints, signs, signals—whatever word you want to use—of the changes that are coming.  As we see our children grow we begin to realize their independence is on its way.  As we see our parents age we realize that soon they will need us more than ever before.  We look in the mirror and realize that we are about to embark on a new season of life.  Seasons pass, birthdays come and go, friends move away, loved ones pass from this life to the next, and we are reminded us that life is not stagnant.  We are always moving from one season into the next.  Change is always around the corner.

And the challenge for each of us, as we see the signals that life sends our way, is to determine that we will not become angry or bitter or afraid, but rather move ahead filled with faith in God, continuing in the hope we have received through Christ, and filled with love for others.  We must continue to trust God, knowing that he will be with us and take care of us in every season of our lives. 

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 – NIV) 

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris