The Blessing is Ours

With parties, cake, and candles, and with laughter, fun, and mirth,

Today’s the day you celebrate the moment of your birth.

But on your birthday, we’re the ones who truly celebrate,

For we’re the ones to whom the gift was given on this date!

Your life is such a blessing—such a testimony clear—

And how we are encouraged as we see your faith sincere!

Among our greatest treasures is your friendship strong and kind,

And when we count our blessings, your name often comes to mind.

Since mercies past are tokens of the things God yet will do,

We look ahead with joy to see what God will do through you!

May you have a blessed birthday!

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:

and he delighteth in His way,

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.

I have been young, and now am old;

yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,

nor his seed begging bread.

He is ever merciful, and lendeth;

and his seed is blessed.

Depart from evil, and do good;

and dwell for evermore.

For the Lord loveth judgment,

and forsaketh not his saints;

they are preserved for ever:

but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

The righteous shall inherit the land,

and dwell therein for ever.

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom,

and his tongue talketh of judgment.

The law of his God is in his heart;

none of his steps shall slide.

Psalm 37:23-31

An Arrow In My Hand

I used to wonder why the Lord would draw a likeness clear

between an arrow in the hand and little children dear.

Nor could I tell why He’d compare a parent blessed with child

to one who, with his quiver full, steps out into the wild.

But now that you have grown, I find I fully understand

why God would thus describe you as an arrow in my hand.

As arrows fly to places where the bowman cannot go,

so you have followed pathways that my feet will never know.

And, like an arrow, you have reached beyond my narrow sphere

to speak God’s love to many who my voice will never hear.

The marksman feels such pleasure as he watches from afar,

and I am overjoyed to see you serving as you are!

So now, to God’s comparison, I heartily attest—

and, watching as you serve the Lord, I feel supremely blest!

I am so thankful to God for you!

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord:

and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;

so are children of the youth.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.

Psalm 127:3-6

The Gift is Ours

With parties, cake, and candles, and with laughter, fun, and mirth,

Today’s the day you celebrate the moment of your birth.

But on your birthday, we’re the ones who truly celebrate,

For we’re the ones to whom the gift was given on this date!

Your life is such a blessing—such a testimony clear—

And how we are encouraged as we see your faith sincere!

Among our greatest treasures is your friendship strong and kind,

And when we count our blessings, your name often comes to mind.

Since mercies past are tokens of the things God yet will do,

We look ahead with joy to see what God will do through you!

May you have a blessed birthday!

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:

and he delighteth in His way,

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.

I have been young, and now am old;

yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,

nor his seed begging bread.

He is ever merciful, and lendeth;

and his seed is blessed.

Depart from evil, and do good;

and dwell for evermore.

For the Lord loveth judgment,

and forsaketh not his saints;

they are preserved for ever:

but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

The righteous shall inherit the land,

and dwell therein for ever.

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom,

and his tongue talketh of judgment.

The law of his God is in his heart;

none of his steps shall slide.

Psalm 37:23-31

A birthday is a day for celebration!
'Twas on this day God's very special plan
Was turned into a tiny new creation--
Then, with a breath from God, your life began.

A birthday should be spent in calm reflection
On rivers crossed and battles fought and won;
We feel again the sweetness of the triumph,
Remembering His grace when day is done.

A birthday is for sweet anticipation;
For though we do not know what lies ahead,
We feel no fear at trusting our tomorrows
To Him Who to this day has safely led.

A birthday should renew our dedication
Of body, heart, and soul, of mind and will;
For a birthday is an annual reminder
That He Who made us walks beside us still.

May you have a blessed birthday!

I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee. Psalm 139:14-18.