🎂 Birthday Devotion (August 28): Another Year of Grace — and an Extra Miracle

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12

Birthdays aren’t just candles and cake—they’re mile markers of God’s mercy. On August 28, I paused to look back over the year and saw a thread of grace through every high and low. Some prayers were answered with a joyful yes, others with a gentle wait, and a few with a loving no that protected me in ways I couldn’t see. Through it all, God remained faithful.

Our Extra Miracle This Year

This year was especially special because God gave us an extra miracle. Our son faced a sudden, terrifying health crisis—the kind that steals your breath and sends you to your knees. Monitors beeped, doctors rushed, and we prayed like we have never prayed before. In those hours, we learned again that God is near to the brokenhearted and mighty to save.

By His mercy, our son pulled through. Today he is our walking miracle—a living testimony that the Lord still answers prayer. As our family often says, “Had it not been for the Almighty, my son wouldn’t be here today. He has always looked after us, and His mercy has shined upon us even when we didn’t recognize it.” We are forever grateful—to God, to every person who prayed, and to the hands that cared for him.

A birthday is an altar moment. We lay down the old—fear, hurry, disappointment—and rise with renewed trust. Our days are gifts, our breath is borrowed, and our purpose is anchored in Him. We don’t carry yesterday’s weight into tomorrow; we step into a fresh chapter with gratitude and holy expectation.

How I’m marking this new year with God:

1. Remember: Write twelve blessings from the past year—one for each month.
2. Release: Forgive what hurt and surrender what still confuses me.
3. Renew: Choose an anchor verse for the year (mine: Lamentations 3:22–23—His mercies are new every morning).
4. Re-center: Start and end each day with a 3-line prayer: “Lord, thank You for this day. Lead me in Your will. Keep my heart tender.”
5. Reach out: Bless someone quietly—a note, a meal, a prayer—so celebration becomes ministry.

Birthday Prayer:

Father, thank You for the gift of another year and for the miracle You worked in our family. Order my steps in Your wisdom, deepen my love, and make my life a testimony of Your goodness. Help me walk in courage, humility, and joy. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Scriptures to carry into the year: Psalm 139:13–16; James 1:17; Psalm 103:1–5; Lamentations 3:22–23.

Reflection prompt:

What miracle—or mercy—did God give you this year, and what word or verse are you carrying into the next?

Share in the comments—I’d love to celebrate and pray with you!