The day before I had gone over to the nearby mall to get my phone plan changed. There was apparently a special offer applicable only on the date 5/5. The young man who attended to me fiddled with his computer and nodded his head as I mentioned my plan is decades old. Yea, he commented, "It's not even available anymore, aunty." He was very efficient, in a jiffy I was signed onto a new plan at almost the same monthly charge and added benefits. I liked the package name...40. It immediately reminded me of the 40 years end of the Israelite run-around in the desert in Exodus and the cross-over into the Promised Land. That's what I declared to myself as I stepped out of the store - an end to the run-arounds in my life, and a stepping into the inheritance reserved for me as daughter of God Most High, on the eve of another birthday.
Since I had some time on my hands I decided to treat myself to some nice ice-cream at Baskin Robbins, which I had not had for umpteen years. My eyes popped out at the price-list...9 bucks for a scoop... since when did ice-cream get so expensive? I guess I have been stuck in my home-cave too long. Yes, I do know prices have increased, but 9 bucks....gee, no thanks. I will just get a whole box of ice-cream potong next time the motorcyle guy does my neighborhood rounds.
So I walked off to get my car. Only to realize it wasn't where I thought I had parked it. I know, I know, I should have snap-shot the location right. That's what hand-phones with built-in cameras are for. But I didn't. With dread, I remembered how once a long time ago, I had lost my car in the maze of KLCC. Now I tried to recollect which entrance I had used after parking. But the more I thought as I rounded the car park, the more confused I became. 3 rounds later, I approached the security guard at the elevator and asked for help. He asked me to try the next level, so another 2 rounds by which time my sprained ankle which had just healed was feeling the strain somewhat. So I gave up and went back to the man, who obligingly called for a buggy-guard and simultaneously asked if I had checked the "other side" behind him. Immediately I knew that had to be the place. Apparently I am not the exception in losing cars at mall car parks. A man (much younger than I) who saw me walking around was in the same predicament. He shrugged as he told me to pray, to which I replied I am. On his neck and wrist was a whole chunk of amulets from every religion. As the buggy took me to the spot, I felt a profound sense of the meaning of Lost and Found. Mine was just a car. Imagine how God feels every time a lost soul is found, and safely returns to Him.
That's a lot to chew on just from a trip to the mall. This year though, I am feeling a bit pensive. I know I said birthdays are no big deal. But both my daughters have flown the family nest; no. 2 is literally on the other side of the world. My one and only son had gone off to work. I spent my birthday all alone in my big double-storey house, eating a dinner I had cooked by myself (the family one was shifted forward to Mother's Day week-end). Even the 2 cats had no interest to keep me company; they sauntered in to be fed and then out to gallivant around the neighborhood, like the kings that they are. The free-lance maid came and went; at least the house is nice and clean. And I am gloriously alive, after 2 close brushes with death barely 2 months ago. So I have a lot to thank God for, and I do, really.
Because even as I am about to descend into a pity-cave of my own, I recalled the night before a sister I really didn't know very well had treated me to a sumptuous Japanese meal. She was the one who welcomed me to teach at the home she heads for Orang Asli children; something I consider myself so blessed to do regularly. Another dearly beloved sister presented me a very delicious walnut-carrot cake in a special greeting box.... all that even before my actual birthday. Early in the morning a notification had popped up on my phone, informing me someone had posted on my fb. It was a parent I hadn't contacted since teaching his daughter some 5 years ago in my-then church kindergarten. And his was one of the families that came to know Jesus from there. As the day wore on, other messages came in...from people I have not kept in touch with for years. From folks who regularly without fail will wish me every year, even though that's the only message exchanged in that period (and no, there's absolutely no strings attached to their greetings). More came even from my foreign prayer partners overseas.
I am so so touched. God was telling me through all these how much He cares for me on my birthday even if I (or other people) don't think it's a big deal. He reminds me He remembers me as the Psalmist penned in Psalm 139:16 : "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
So yes, indeed birthdays are a big deal to remember the care of God and the people who care to just say Happy Birthday.
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