Sprinkles, Candles and Imperfect Birthdays {+ Cake Batter Overnight Oats}

To most people July 10 is just another ordinary summer day. But to me it’s a very special day, because July 10 also happens to be my birthday.

I don’t know how it works in your family, but birthdays are a big deal on my mom’s side of the family. Not only did your birthday mean you got to choose the meal for Sunday dinner at gramma’s — it also meant you got to choose your favorite kind of cake to eat. It meant that people would shower you with love and presents all day long; It meant almost 20 people singing “Happy Birthday” to you; It meant a day totally dedicated to you.

Since my birthday is in the summer, July 10 also meant boat rides around the lake my grandparents live on. These traditions made birthdays anything but ordinary, and I felt completely loved, cherished and cared for.

Then … I grew up. Mr. MLS and I moved away. The hoopla of the magical year 21 came and went. And somewhere along the way it began to feel like my birthday was just another day. Just when I think it couldn’t get any more lackluster, this year happened.

My sweet parents were kind enough to drive to Iowa to celebrate with me in person. We were having a great time together, until Sunday rolled around. Have you ever had a day where one thing after another goes wrong? And eventually, after awhile you just start laughing at how bad the day is? Yeah. That was my birthday this year. I don’t need to go into details but I will tell you this: I’m thankful I had a sucky birthday. Why?

Because it taught me that birthdays are not about receiving attention and having everything go your way.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say everything will be perfect on our birthday. Nowhere are we told that it will be a sunny day with rainbows and butterflies and a perfectly made cake. Nowhere are we told that we will get every present we hoped for. But you know what we are told and what we are given? We are told that because of our birth, we have been given not only the free gift of life here on Earth, but also — for those who believe — the free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord {Romans 6:23}.

Now, this is something worth celebrating not just on our birthday, but every single day of the year … but on the other hand, I think birthdays have a way of making us think about this precious gift even more. It’s a time to reflect on where you’ve been and who you are becoming. And even if everything seems to go wrong on your special day, it’s a time to be grateful for the chance to live, learn and love another year.

[Tweet “Birthdays are a chance to live, learn and love another year.”]

My hope is if you ever find yourself having a birthday that’s less than spectacular, you’ll remember the lesson I learned this year. And even on the days when it’s not your birthday, thank God for the free gift of life that you have in Him. Thank God for imperfect days because they are still a blessing. And thank God for allowing us to enjoy delicious things, like this simple recipe for Cake Batter Overnight Oats. (You don’t have to be celebrating a birthday to enjoy this delicious and healthy breakfast!)

[Tweet “Thank God for imperfect days because they are still a blessing.”]