Who needs a happy birthday?

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Colin is a ten-year old boy who is celebrating a birthday this week.  His story has made headlines because he asked his mom not to plan a party for him. He didn’t think he would have any friends to invite.  Colin has a condition that is similar to Asperger’s Syndrome and his mom shared that “because of Colin’s disabilities, social skills are not easy for him, and he often acts out in school, and the other kids don’t like him.”  

Colin’s mom wanted to prove to her son that he did have friends who would wish him well.  She created a Facebook page and a few weeks later more than 2 million people from all over the world have “liked” his page and sent him happy birthday messages.  Colin is in for a big surprise on March 9th!

I think that news is both happy and sad.  It is great that strangers would reach out to a 10-year old boy and try to send him some joy for his big day!  My next thought is this – why didn’t someone in his class go home and suggest to his or her parents that they throw a birthday party for Colin and invite everyone?  Colin is a boy who needs to be understood and appreciated by the children he attends school with each day.  Having millions of friends from around the world is fun – but just one friend who lived around the corner would be even better.

Are we raising our children to think about others, care for others and sacrifice for others?  The most fundamental truth of the Christian faith is that we are called to love God so much that we can’t help but love others.  Do our children realize that they can please God if they love other children?  Parents teach their children the most convincing lessons by living as an example for them.

This is the month we celebrate the birth of our oldest son.  It will always be a special time in our family because it was the day we became parents.   Sonograms were an added expense in those days so Jim and I didn’t know if we were having a boy or a girl – a Ryan or a Rachel.  God gave us a Ryan and we were so happy to meet him the day he was born.  Ryan’s wife, Candice, has a birthday this month as well.  Two of my best friends have March birthdays.  I think this is why Colin’s story touched my heart.  For me, this is a month to celebrate birthdays – and I want Colin’s to be celebrated as well.

If you want to wish Colin a happy birthday you can go to his Facebook page.  But – I would like to offer this suggestion as well.  Ask God to identify the “Colin” in your life.  Is there someone who lives on the outside of your normal circle that you could bless with a birthday card, a “thinking of you card,” a quick visit, text, e-mail or phone call?  

If everyone who reads this blog post asks God who we need to share his love with, I can guarantee that a lot of Kingdom ministry will take place as a result.  Would you share your ideas or the results of your ministry in the comment section below?  We exist to serve God and share his love.  I want to encourage you to seek God and serve under his leadership.  Interestingly, a lot of people could be blessed because of a ten-year old named Colin.  I would like for him to have that knowledge as a Happy Birthday gift this week!

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Posted by Janet Denison

Janet Denison teaches others to live an authentic faith through her writing, speaking, and teaching ministry. She blogs weekly at JanetDenison.org and often at ChristianParenting.org. She is also the author of The Songs Tell the Story and Content to Be Good, Called to Be Godly, among other books. Janet and her husband, Dr. Jim Denison, live in Dallas, Texas. When they’re not writing or ministering to others, they enjoy spending time with their grown children and their four still-growing grandchildren.