Birthday Psalms

I am lucky to share the same birthday as St. John the Baptist. I have once wondered, if I was born a boy, would I be called John. Anyway, I got an sms from my sister, who shared this beautiful prayer to God with me. It's really meaningful especially when said on your birthday, which was also the responsorial psalm for St. John the Baptist's birthday liturgy that day.

Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15.

O Lord, you know me;
you have scrutinized me.

You know when I sit and when I rise:
from afar away you discern my thoughts.

You observed my activities and times of rest;
you are familiar with all my ways.

It was you who formed my inmost part
and knit me together in my mother's womb.

I thank you for the wonders you have done,
and my heart praises you
for your marvelous deeds.

Even my bones were known to you
when I was being formed in secret,

fashioned in the depths of the earth.

It seems, everyone has their own birthday Psalm, but I still couldn't figured out mine yet. I chanced upon some websites which said that every year of your life has a corresponding Psalm. It's your age + 1. How true it is, I'm not sure. For now, I'll settled for this...

I thank you for the wonder of my being

This has hit me so powerfully because it gives me a sense of worth, something which I have long overlooked. God made me for a reason. That I'm sure. But for what reason, I'm still searching. The news of Michael Jackson's death jolted me, he's 50, and his birthday is on 29th June. He could have made it to 51 in another 4 days. That struck me. Life is so short. Did we make full use of it?

We made new year resolutions, what about birthdays? God has given us another year, have I make good use of it? Did I make another friend or another enemy this year? Have I touched a life, make a difference to the people around me, or do something which I could be proud of? Well, these are the questions that flood my mind now. Maybe next year, instead of looking forward to things from others on my birthdays (birthday wishes, present, meal treats, etc..), I should be the one giving, and reaching out.

I do noticed that I was a little different this time, though. Last time, I used to wear new clothes, eat something special on my birthday, and do little little things to make it more perfect. But this year, I didn't get any new clothes for myself, I wore a broken shoes on that day, and eat like any normal days. Those were the physical thing, I guess. I spent my voucher discounts on health products, not only for myself, but mostly for my loved ones. Well, that's something different. I would have bought presents for my loved ones too, if I've got time to shop around. But I didn't get to do it this year, because I was in a hurry.

I guess, I didn't need to wait until a special day to do something different, because every day is a special day. Birthday is just a checkpoint, I'd say. To evaluate if we've done the things we wanted to, or a reminder to go do that thing before it's too late. That thing could be anything - really. That's where the birthday wish come into the picture.

So, it's only very right that we should praise the Lord for giving us another year, to love and be loved. That our being is really very special, and we should cherish it, and live life to the fullest.