Today is my birthday. I feel beyond blessed, overflowing with both tangible and intangible gifts. I received so much—cosmetics, perfume, gold, diamonds, clothing, flowers, accessories, electronic money gifts, meat, Starbucks drinks and snacks, heartfelt messages… you name it, I got it all! I am truly thankful.
But I want to make sure that my gratitude is real, not just something I say out of habit. I want to feel it deeply, to let it shape how I live and how I respond to the love and kindness around me.
Life’s Challenges and the Gift of Presence
My little sister is coming over from Brisbane, and I’m looking forward to seeing her. At the same time, my mom is in the hospital, and life feels quite challenging right now. Balancing joy and worry can be overwhelming, but as I take a step back and observe myself in the midst of it all, I realize something important: everything is feasible.
It’s like the verse that came to my heart today:
“Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely.” (Psalm 139:4)
It’s incredible to know that there is Someone who truly knows me, even before I speak. That thought gives me a sense of calm—a deep, inner peace that helps me stay cool, both within myself and in how I appear to others.
Taking Action on My Birthday
I have important matters to attend to—things that I need to address and carry out with intention and purpose. This birthday feels like a turning point. I want to start doing what I can right now, without waiting for a more “convenient” time.
Today, I will take steps toward my goals:
- Audio Book: I will work on the audiobook for Author Wada Hideki.
- Research Paper: I will continue writing the paper under the guidance of Dr. Teo.
- Essays: If Professor Karn finds them valuable, I will keep working on them.
And most importantly, I will take time to read the Bible and talk to Jesus. I need to learn to hear His voice more clearly.
Otherwise, what am I busy for? I thought I was wise and good enough for my family, but if I don’t spend quality time with Jesus, I’m just existing—just breathing and living, and that’s not enough. Life would feel boring and empty without that connection.
A New Start
Today, on my birthday, I choose to live wisely, intentionally, and gratefully. I will make the most of the opportunities that come my way and hold on to the strength and guidance that God offers. I want my actions to reflect my gratitude and my faith.
No more waiting for the “right moment”—today is the day to begin.
Verses for Today
Ephesians 5:15-16
NRSV:
“Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.”
Hebrew (Modern Translation):
היזהרו אפוא איך אתם מתהלכים, לא ככסילים אלא כחכמים. נצלו את הזמן, כי הימים רעים.
(Hizaharu efo eich atem mithalkhim, lo ke-kesilim ela ke-chakhamim. Natzlu et ha-zman, ki ha-yamim ra’im.)
Phrase Breakdown and Meaning:
- היזהרו אפוא (Hizaharu efo) – “Be careful then”
- היזהרו (Hizaharu) – Be cautious, watch out
- אפוא (Efo) – Then, therefore
- איך אתם מתהלכים (eich atem mithalkhim) – “how you live”
- איך (Eich) – How
- אתם (Atem) – You (plural)
- מתהלכים (Mithalkhim) – Walk, live, conduct yourselves
- לא ככסילים אלא כחכמים (lo ke-kesilim ela ke-chakhamim) – “not as unwise people but as wise”
- לא (Lo) – Not
- ככסילים (Ke-kesilim) – Like fools (unwise)
- אלא (Ela) – But
- כחכמים (Ke-chakhamim) – Like wise people
- נצלו את הזמן (Natzlu et ha-zman) – “making the most of the time”
- נצלו (Natzlu) – Make use of, seize, utilize
- את הזמן (Et ha-zman) – The time
- כי הימים רעים (ki ha-yamim ra’im) – “because the days are evil”
- כי (Ki) – Because
- הימים (Ha-yamim) – The days
רעים (Ra’im) – Bad, evil
Psalm 90:12
NRSV:
“So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.”
Hebrew:
לִמְנוֹת יָמֵינוּ כֵּן הוֹדַע, וְנָבִא לְבַב חָכְמָה.
(Limnot yameinu ken hoda, ve-navi levav chokhmah.)
Phrase Breakdown and Meaning:
- לִמְנוֹת יָמֵינוּ (Limnot yameinu) – “to count our days”
- לִמְנוֹת (Limnot) – To number, to count
- יָמֵינוּ (Yameinu) – Our days
- כֵּן הוֹדַע (Ken hoda) – “So teach”
- כֵּן (Ken) – So, thus
- הוֹדַע (Hoda) – Teach, make known
- וְנָבִא לְבַב חָכְמָה (Ve-navi levav chokhmah) – “that we may gain a wise heart”
- וְנָבִא (Ve-navi) – And we will bring, gain
- לְבַב (Levav) – Heart
- חָכְמָה (Chokhmah) – Wisdom
Psalm 46:1
NRSV:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Hebrew:
אֱלֹהִים לָנוּ מַחֲסֶה וָעֹז, עֶזְרָה בְּצָרוֹת נִמְצָא מְאֹד.
(Elohim lanu machaseh va-oz, ezrah b’tzarot nimtza me’od.)
Phrase Breakdown and Meaning:
- אֱלֹהִים לָנוּ (Elohim lanu) – “God is for us”
- אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) – God
- לָנוּ (Lanu) – For us, to us
- מַחֲסֶה וָעֹז (Machaseh va-oz) – “refuge and strength”
- מַחֲסֶה (Machaseh) – Shelter, refuge
- וָעֹז (Va-oz) – And strength
- עֶזְרָה בְּצָרוֹת (Ezrah b’tzarot) – “help in trouble”
- עֶזְרָה (Ezrah) – Help
- בְּצָרוֹת (B’tzarot) – In troubles
- נִמְצָא מְאֹד (Nimtza me’od) – “a very present help”
- נִמְצָא (Nimtza) – To be found, present
- מְאֹד (Me’od) – Very, greatly