{"id":14674,"date":"2024-12-09T23:19:33","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T05:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joannalo.org\/?p=14674"},"modified":"2026-07-02T23:56:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T04:56:41","slug":"birthdays-why-its-so-hard-to-celebrate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?p=14674","title":{"rendered":"Birthday&#8217;s &amp; Why It&#8217;s So Hard to Celebrate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #e6a8a8\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">S<\/mark><\/span>ixty-one birthdays and I finally feel like celebrating. I&#8217;ve never thought December 9th worth singing about. Many beautiful people have surprised me, blessed and gifted me, but none has ever convinced me my birth was a happy day. And here&#8217;s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No one but the Creator knows what it took to make us.<br>God alone is Author of who, what, and why we are.<br>The blood of Christ confirms our worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Celebrations, in general, have left a bad taste in my mouth. Always on guard for the other shoe to drop. Growing up not knowing who you are leaves an awful scar.<\/strong>&nbsp;And it\u2019s a familiar story for most of us. Fear does not discriminate between wealth and poverty. It only prefers the dark hours of childhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The courage to celebrate\u2014the good, the bad,&nbsp;<em>and<\/em>&nbsp;the ugly\u2014is an inheritance no saved soul need run from.&nbsp;<strong>God always has more gift-wrapped we\u2019re not ready for<\/strong>. We may have grown up alone\u2014guessing at the wrong, betting on the worst\u2014but&nbsp;<strong>Christ makes everything beautiful in its time<\/strong>. (<strong>Ecclesiastes 3:11<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pause &amp; Pray<\/strong>: Lord, you know my sitting down, my rising up, and when I run away. My thoughts, my paths, my ways are all familiar to You. I can\u2019t run from Your Spirit or hide from Your presence. No matter where I go, Your hand always leads me. You won\u2019t let go. You formed me from the inside out. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Search me, my God, and hold my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything that grieves You\u2014and lead me along the highway right with You. (<strong>Psalm 139<\/strong>)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sixty-one birthdays and I finally feel like celebrating. I&#8217;ve never thought December 9th worth singing about. Many beautiful people have surprised me, blessed and gifted me, but none has ever convinced me my birth was a happy day. And here&#8217;s why: No one but the Creator knows what it took to make us.God alone is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":143625079,"featured_media":14677,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5205],"tags":[773157844,28433,35890,12188,773157870,258876,86178],"class_list":["post-14674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebration","tag-celebration","tag-childhood","tag-featured","tag-healing","tag-holy-spirit","tag-trama","tag-transformation"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pacmrQ-3OG","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1429,"url":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?p=1429","url_meta":{"origin":14674,"position":0},"title":"Days&#8217;d and Confused","author":"Jo Alo","date":"May 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Forgive me. But today I\u2019d like to scratch all Days off the calendar. Volunteering many moons ago at a Pregnancy Crisis Center, my first director was a lovely hearted woman. She housed a host more wisdom than I. She taught me, Every appointment of our lives is God appointed. But\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;contentment&quot;","block_context":{"text":"contentment","link":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?cat=102201"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/0c5f0-50821ee2-b67b-4e5f-a51d-0337c160e539.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/0c5f0-50821ee2-b67b-4e5f-a51d-0337c160e539.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/0c5f0-50821ee2-b67b-4e5f-a51d-0337c160e539.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/0c5f0-50821ee2-b67b-4e5f-a51d-0337c160e539.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":18424,"url":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?p=18424","url_meta":{"origin":14674,"position":1},"title":"A Grave Waits for Us All","author":"Jo Alo","date":"April 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In America we tend to exalt athletes, actors, public figures, big business execs\u2014people we know next to nothing about. Their talent, success, and standing wow us. We envy their abilities and covet their power. What baffles me most is how we equate financial worth with possessing wisdom. It's almost as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;The Bible&quot;","block_context":{"text":"The Bible","link":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?cat=54418"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pisit-heng-ci1f55havwq-unsplash.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pisit-heng-ci1f55havwq-unsplash.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pisit-heng-ci1f55havwq-unsplash.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pisit-heng-ci1f55havwq-unsplash.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1171,"url":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?p=1171","url_meta":{"origin":14674,"position":2},"title":"Early Will I Seek You: A Rich Breakfast For Your Soul","author":"Jo Alo","date":"August 30, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"A sweet, soft voice comes from the kitchen echoing up the stairs.\u00a0My grandson is here.\u00a0They traveled all day yesterday so he could stay. And we'll delight in the sound of him three whole days. We've enjoyed him before but never by his six-year-old self. Bravely admitting his nervousness, we surround\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;bible reading&quot;","block_context":{"text":"bible reading","link":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?cat=115908"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/3f6002ea-81cf-461e-aed9-a8ffce40a3a1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C714&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/3f6002ea-81cf-461e-aed9-a8ffce40a3a1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C714&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/3f6002ea-81cf-461e-aed9-a8ffce40a3a1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C714&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/3f6002ea-81cf-461e-aed9-a8ffce40a3a1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C714&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/3f6002ea-81cf-461e-aed9-a8ffce40a3a1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C714&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12187,"url":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?p=12187","url_meta":{"origin":14674,"position":3},"title":"A Word About Tradition","author":"Jo Alo","date":"December 8, 2023","format":"image","excerpt":"It seems the older I get the fewer traditions I keep. Life is becoming more about the moment, ya know what I mean? Less fuss. Your face is what I'm wanting most. It's more about the person right in front of me, than the ones I may not have the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;The Bible&quot;","block_context":{"text":"The Bible","link":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?cat=54418"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/benjamin-davies-Zm2n2O7Fph4-unsplash.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/benjamin-davies-Zm2n2O7Fph4-unsplash.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/benjamin-davies-Zm2n2O7Fph4-unsplash.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/benjamin-davies-Zm2n2O7Fph4-unsplash.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/benjamin-davies-Zm2n2O7Fph4-unsplash.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12365,"url":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?p=12365","url_meta":{"origin":14674,"position":4},"title":"A Word About Trouble","author":"Jo Alo","date":"January 1, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I woke to a troubling sound in the night. At first it sounded as though it was beneath me. A single clink from the heat vent. What could that be, I wondered. Then it grew and I walked around the dark room for a clue. To the window I went\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Holy Spirit&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Holy Spirit","link":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?cat=33380"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/img_2300.jpg?fit=1077%2C810&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/img_2300.jpg?fit=1077%2C810&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/img_2300.jpg?fit=1077%2C810&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/img_2300.jpg?fit=1077%2C810&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/img_2300.jpg?fit=1077%2C810&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7200,"url":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?p=7200","url_meta":{"origin":14674,"position":5},"title":"CHRISTMAS IS BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE","author":"Jo Alo","date":"December 25, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Driving in circles at the Christmas tree farm, we argued almost the whole time. Our sweet little grandsons, Paul, and Martin, bored in the backseat, \u201cCan we get out and walk?\u201d Tripping over stumps, we found the perfect one to cut down. Not to wide, nor too high, we acted\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;The Bible&quot;","block_context":{"text":"The Bible","link":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/?cat=54418"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tony-litvyak-EN7gAcMYy7w-unsplash.jpeg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tony-litvyak-EN7gAcMYy7w-unsplash.jpeg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tony-litvyak-EN7gAcMYy7w-unsplash.jpeg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tony-litvyak-EN7gAcMYy7w-unsplash.jpeg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/joalo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_1130-1.png?fit=951%2C960&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14674","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/143625079"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14674"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19277,"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14674\/revisions\/19277"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14677"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joalo.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}