If you had only one birthday wish, for ever, in all of your life, across the span of your days, what would it be? I suppose you answer would depend on what age you were when the question was posed and whether it was the past, present and future or just the future, but what would be the desire at the center of it all?
I watched people gather last night for a friend’s birthday celebration. There was food, music, a great setting, live music, and dry weather; wishes coming true. I think the most important wish on this day for the birthday boy was simple to be with friends, lots of them! Nothing else really mattered and the birthday face shined with excitement. As the bands played on into the night you knew a wish was reality.
I am not sure if this would be a single, lifetime wish. Maybe it would be family or peace, to love, or something else.
I am coming up on a dreamy, never imagined I would make it this far, milestone in nine months. About now, a long time ago two people vacationing in Japan. I imagine they were in love, full of hopes and dreams. I for one am grateful for their love, engagement, and zest for life that they shared with each other then and with me over the decades since. It is a rare gift that everyone deserves but some never realize. For me this hints at what would be “the” gift.
My gift is simple sounding request. “For in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses.” (John 5.21) I most desire to give life, full, abundant, beautiful, exciting, and hope fill life to everyone I meet along the way, including myself. To be able to give life, without strings, without need to recompense, ah…that is the stuff of dreams!
You and I have that gift. Through God, we have it today! Have you realized what is already here?
