“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  -Jeremiah 29:11

You may be a person that loves to celebrate your birthday every year with your friends and family and even throw big parties, or you may be a little more private and low key about your birthday. For me personally, there has not been one birthday in my 37 years where I didn’t have those around me that loved and cared about me. I know this is not the case for all people in this world, and for that I feel so blessed to have so many that value and love me. I feel our “being born” day is very significant because that’s when God decided for us to be a blessing to our families and to this world! However, some kids in Cambodia and other parts of this world never have known what a blessing they are to their families because of mistreatment or the fact that they have been sold to traffickers or suffered major abuse from others.They may even wonder if they have any worth, and the answer of course is YES! You too, are designed special and unique and there is no other you that God made! Say right now, “I am awesome in God’s eyes!” (smile)

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” -Psalm 139:13

I got the opportunity to celebrate “Rose’s” birthday in Cambodia with her and the XP staff, and it was pure fun! [I have chosen to use the name “Rose” for her privacy] This was her first official birthday party at 19 years old. Yes, what some people may take for granted in this world, was definitely cherished every minute by this amazing young woman of God. We hear so often of the children, women, and men being transformed in Cambodia, but I wanted to take time to recognize the love and the heart of one of the people pouring love into them! She is currently attending college – a lifelong dream of hers, but when I went to visit in 2016 she was in charge of being the caretaker and helper to a few of the special needs children at the Children’s House.

This is a safe home that was established by XP Missions as a place where rescued children from sex trafficking or other types of abuse can come and feel the love of Jesus, be healed from the trauma and pain of their past, and also receive an education through our special needs curriculum.

The picture above is Rose wiping her tears of happiness and us singing happy birthday to her! This was a monumental day of God showering His love and kindness upon Rose. We sang, laughed, danced, and worshiped the Lord together. I even brought my worship flags to teach her the fun and power of praise! Blessing others is what we are called to do in the kingdom of God! After we sang her happy birthday, we all gathered around her and blessed her with prayer and words of encouragement! God told me to put my gold worship flags around her, because God sees her as royalty, and that He doesn’t remember her past. He only sees her future, which is decorated with treasures both physically and spiritually.

Never forget that your “being born” day is a momentous day in your life! You are not a mistake, or an accident. God knew you before you were born. God loves you with an everlasting love, and will never leave you nor forsake you. If others haven’t celebrated you in the past, receive God’s love for you today. He is only a prayer away from asking Him personally into your life and accepting that Jesus is His perfect Son that lived a sinless life to be the sacrifice for you. He took the weight of the world on His shoulders and died for you, so you could be celebrated not only in this earth, but eternally with God – FOREVER!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”  -Jeremiah 1:5

 Written by: Hilary Lynne