Go ahead! Make Those Birthday Wishes!

It had been years since someone put a birthday cake in front of me with a lit candle waiting to be blown out just as soon as I make a wish. But there I was celebrating my 50th and found myself there again. As I sat around the table with Mark and the girls listening to them sing the traditional tune, knowing the spotlight was on me and the big moment was closing in the pressure mounted, and I froze. Yep, when the waiter set the cake in front of me and said, “Okay! Make a wish and blow out the candle!” I just sat there poised like a deer in the headlights. He stood there shifting his weight from foot to foot getting a bit impatient, yet in an effort to remain gracious, he reminded me, “No one is going to know what you wish. You don’t even have to tell us what you wished after you blow it out.” I knew he was giving me an out. He was taking the pressure off for me- but all I could see in my mind’s eye were the memories of making wishes as a little girl. I struggled then too as I innocently questioned, “Are we even allowed to make wishes? Aren’t we supposed to pray and ask God for everything?” I was so fearful I would be breaking a Sunday School rule for sure. So, each time the moment came to make a wish, whether it be a birthday candle, first star of the night, or an eyelash, this little girl would shy away from making a wish. Suddenly, there I was again, for the first time in years with the opportunity to make a wish, and the same struggle flooded my mind. Am I even allowed to make wishes? Because, the truth is that even now at the age of 50, I am still a dreamer. I do have wishes. But is it really okay to just close my eyes, make a wish then blow out a candle, and believe it will come true? Am I free to believe there is some magical power in the childlike faith of a Birthday wish? Yes. That is exactly what I’m saying. Now as an adult birthday girl, I finally understand that it is not just okay to make a birthday wish, but that it is exactly what we should do. Jesus tells us in John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
He is the vine, and we are his branches. As we remain attached to the vine we will bear much fruit. Immediately coming to mind after reading these verses is the fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, goodness, faith. So, I think the real question is, as you cling to the one who loves you and made you, whatare you wishing for? Go ahead and close your eyes, make a wish, and believe in the transforming power of God’s love. The wishes of your heart are being heard.

Prob 3:5-6 teaches that He gives you the desires of your heart. Listen up, friend! Hear the desires of your heart. Let your wishes be heard by yourself and offered back in prayer with confident trust that your father hears you, and it is for his glory for you to receive what you’ve asked for and bear much fruit as a result.

He goes on to tell us that it even brings him glory and pleasure for our lives to bear fruit.

Go ahead and freely wish away! Wish for all the blessings of life, strength, and health for yourself and your family. Wish with me that as His children, the Lord will continue to bear his fruit in us for his glory because, friend, you are His delight!

Wishes like…. for my family to always me being together a priority to always be together do life together laugh and be healthy to bring glory to God and be a testimony of His love and grace.