It's My Birthday

Normally I don’t celebrate my birthday. I’m not sure if this is an introvert thing or a Virgo thing. It’s probably a bit of both. Each year this day rolls around, I wake up and thank God, for allowing me to see another day, and for keeping me another year. There is no cake, party, or ice cream. I generally tell those around me that they don’t have to get me a gift. My gift is, is the” gift of life.” I don’t request the day off from work, either. My birthday is just a “normal'' day. This is because I really don’t like to be the center of attention. I never have.  It’s awkward to me, to have everyone’s focus, on you. That’s why we have extroverts. My mom, and a few others I know, celebrate their birthday all month long.  I’ve always just tried to just blend into the background.
 
Last year, however, was different. The members of our congregation, surprised me! They went all out, with a beautiful cake, balloons, flowers, and gifts! It was supposed to be a surprise, but someone let the cat out of the bag, right in front of me, two weeks beforehand. The others were not happy about that. But, I told them not to worry, and that I would still act surprised. I told them it was perfectly okay, because, between you and me, I really don’t like surprises either. I know what you must be thinking. What does she like? Plenty of stuff. I like lots of things. Just not all that. I don’t like to be caught off guard. I like to know what’s going to happen. I like to…prepare.
​
So yeah. I had two weeks to think about this whole birthday surprise, beforehand. At first, I was nervous and apprehensive, about the party, because of all the aforementioned  reasons. But then, something happened. The Holy Spirit began to remind me, that God appointed the day I was going to be born. He designated the month, the day, and the year. He created me on purpose, for purpose. He created me uniquely. Every one of my character traits, whether people understand them or not, He embedded in my DNA. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and the day that I was born, should have value to me. His Spirit ministered so many other things to me, about myself, as well, but I won’t go into all of them here. At the end of the two weeks, my whole perspective had changed. And, for the first time in 43 years, I had a sense of excitement about my birthday!
 
When the congregation sang the Happy Birthday song to me, and presented me with all the nice gifts they’d gotten me, I absolutely felt special! I felt loved and truly, “thought-about.” I thank them, so much, for their kindness, and their desire to make my day, memorable. It most certainly was!
 
That of course, was last year. Today, I turned 44 years old.

In June, the Holy Spirit began to minister to me again, about today. And about what this 44th birthday “should” mean to me.

We are truly, in one of the most prophetic years, that I’ve ever seen. We know, from the Bible, that God has always used numbers to confirm and further convey, what He is saying. 3,7, 12, 40, 50 just to name a few. As well as derivatives of them all. (If you’ve read any of my other prophetic blog posts, then you understand what I mean.)  Shortly after, my fellowship, with the Holy Spirit, I began to see the numbers 4, 44, and 8, everywhere. It may sound weird, but it’s true. And get this, after I would see them, the next numbers I would see would either be 333 or 777.  #TrueStory.

So, I began to research what the number 44 symbolizes, and I’m glad I did. Here are a few things I found:

44 is rooted in the number 4. This is the number of creation, namely the earth. The four is doubled to symbolize the contention or struggle, between two people, or groups of people, who each have the desire to rule or inherit the earth. This includes the first two people on earth, as well as the two kingdoms that contend, in this spiritual war, we're in. 44 is also the doubling of 22. The number 22, represents the number of the Sons of Light, that the “chosen ones,” are linked to.

44 of course follows the number 43.
44 is the number of chosen people. 43, however, represents contention, rivalry, and strife. (With those who desire to be chosen.) The contentions of 43 are designed to bring us the resolution of conflict, that is given, or manifested, in the number 44.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, for example, we see God contend with Peter, and then resolves the issue, with a resolution, by saying, “This is my Son, My Chosen One, listen to Him!” Jesus had been mentioned 43 times in Luke 9:33, but when He is mentioned for the 44th time, in verse 36, He was found alone. For the Divine Decree, of the Father, had settled the issue forever. This speaks volumes to me! The depths of which you cannot fathom, my friend. The CONTENTION has been real, this past year. The likes of which, I couldn’t fully explain, in this post.
Just know…it’s been REAL.

But over the past few days, I have come to see, exactly what the resolution, to it all, is. And I know, the divine manifestation, is just around the corner! It’s on the horizon. It’s within sight.

4 plus 4 of course, equals 8.

8 in the Bible, symbolizes resurrection and regeneration. It is the number of new beginnings.
Being that it can also be equated as 7 plus 1, and eight comes right after seven, sequentially, it is associated with the beginning of a new era.
A perfect example, is Noah. The 8th person coming out of the Ark, and beginning a new generation of life. The resurrection of Jesus, rising on Nisan 17, which was the 8th, day of the month. (He was resurrected after 3 days, but it was the 8th day of the month) It would include the future resurrection of the saints, and boys being circumcised on the 8th day, under the Law, and under the New Covenant, symbolizes circumcision of man’s heart through Christ, and being reborn, regenerated, and given a new life, in Christ. God, Himself, chose the 8th day to begin a new week.
​
I could go on and on, but I won’t because then, this won’t be a birthday post, it will become a Bible Study lesson. But, I said all of that to say this, I’m ready for it. All of it. Especially, new beginnings. I’m so grateful to God, because He knows what we need and when we need, and He’s still answering prayers. Mine have already been answered.  Isaiah 65:24 says “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear. I’m just awaiting the manifestation.
 
As with, birthdays past, I’m grateful that He has kept me another year! I’m so thankful for life itself. I’m blessed to have my health and strength, a sound mind, and people who love me.
 
Happy Birthday to…ME!
 
Be blessed and encouraged today, God loves you and so do I.

At midnight my girls sent me these wonderful messages. I was in tears, tears of joy and laughter. Already this birthday is off to a great start! The baby and I have a running joke after every type of accolade I give her, I always end it with "girl". She thinks it's so funny, so now, she says it to me. Just clarifying, in case anyone was confused, and was pondering if she was "not all there". She is. LOL!  And of course, Google would wish me a happy birthday, too. Because they know everything about you. I could've sworn, I didn't give them an accurate birth date. They be knowin'! Ugh!