No Party ?

     I am one who looks forward to birthdays.  Not because I want to get older faster, I just enjoy parties.  The people, the laughter, the food, and all that comes with a party energizes me.  And this year I hit an age with a “0”.  It is a milestone age.  So, as I look forward to my birthday coming up, I have been thinking of my party. Who would my wife invite? Where would it be? What food will there be?

And as I was thinking of these things, my wife says she would like to go visit our grandkids in Georgia…the week before my birthday!  I immediately thought, how are you going to plan my birthday party?  And no more had I thought it, when she says, “Sorry we won’t be having much of a party for you this year”.  What?!  Honestly, I was a little put off by it.  So, I went to my office to have a pity party.  And then I started thinking about preparing for this devotion.

Normally, I would start in Genesis and go through the Bible looking for a verse with a reference of 12:3 for December 3.  Not this time, a wee thought said, “Start in Romans this time”.  So, I did.  And BAM!  I will admit my first thought was not to use this verse.  But God kept bringing it to mind…and each time I was more convicted. 

     Who am I to think I deserve a party and expect my wife to throw me a party?  My wife is a very hospitable person, she just doesn’t like all the preparation that goes with having a party. Once the preparations are done, she is in her “sweet spot” of serving others. So where does that leave me for this year’s birthday? I came to a sobering conclusion in pondering today’s verse.  Instead of thinking of myself “more highly than I ought”, I ought to make my wife’s trip to the grandkids as easy as possible.  So, I made the arrangements for her and put together a list of things I could do for her while she’s gone.  Maybe even replace the chair and sofa she doesn’t like.  And then when she returns, we will still have a party…it will just be hers.

Bret A.

’63 / ’79  Stewartville  MN