Spiritual Birthdays

{Guest Post by Gayle Veitenheimer}

I never knew when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Certainly not the exact date. But I always wished I could. A spiritual birthday is worth celebrating.

I was raised in a variety of denominations as Mom and Dad tried to hash out Baptist vs. Episcopalian. I prayed “the prayer” often, have been baptized at least four times, (christened once and dipped three) and attended confirmation class in middle school. As an adult, I remember God speaking to me during a run. He reminded me that the work had been done and told me to stop wheeling and dealing.

So I did.

That date was December 7, 2000. Was God moving when I was a child? I believe He was, but I remember my adult experience best, so I claimed that date.

When I had kids, I committed to note the date of each child’s salvation and to celebrate it—and I still do, even though they’ve left the nest.

Why?

Gravity

God-moments have gravity. Too often they slip by. Spiritual birthdays recognize the significance of God moving in a heart.

• “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.” John 6:44a NIV
• Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2-3

Let the salvation experience be the first of many journal entries—even if your child is very young. Start the habit of recording God-moments and answered prayer. A written record can serve as a lifeline for future struggles.

Remember what God did.

Remember when God spoke.

Remember how God moved.

Growth Gained

Jeans that are too short. Sneakers that pinch toes. We’d be concerned if we didn’t have to buy our kids a new wardrobe each year. Spiritual birthdays celebrate growth. The hard-fought victories. The stretching. The being pushed out of the comfort zone. Growth is expected.

•  ^“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:15-16 [emphasis, mine]
• “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3 [emphasis mine]
• “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 [emphasis mine]
• “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 [emphasis mine]

Friends and family can encourage the birthday boy or girl by giving evidence of the last year’s progress. Patience. Leadership. A new freedom in worship. Self-control. These are praiseworthy both to God Himself and for the one who walked them out in obedience. Celebrate!

Growth to Come

Spiritual birthdays present a great time to reflect and to set goals for the coming year.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-8

Gifts make tackling those new goals fun. Keep them age-appropriate and think outside the box. What boy wouldn’t love a biography of King David—if it came with a genuine shepherd’s sling? Family and friends can offer prayer and accountability as the birthday kid identifies new areas that could use some work.

Add spiritual birthdays to your list of family traditions. My Spiritual Birthday Celebrations bundle offers a fictional story which explains the concept, a Spiritual Growth Chart, and a sheet with tips for celebrating and suggested gifts.

Happy celebrating!

-Gayle

About Gayle

Gayle Veitenheimer writes inspirational stories and creative nonfiction that encourage kids to walk out their Christian faith.

Gayle loves two things, adventure and a good book. She’s hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim, kayaked the Nepali coast, run five marathons, and read more books than she can count.

Gayle married her high school sweetheart. She is Mom to four and grandmother (GG) to three. Gayle has a ginormous Belgian Malinois named Valor. He makes sure she gets up from her writing spot and out into the real world.

Gayle has taught in a number of church venues, ranging from children’s ministry, youth, and adults. She has written her own teaching material for years as well as discipleship content for her own children. As a speaker, Gayle has taught writing workshops for a public school, spoken to preteens, and led women’s groups.

Now that she has finished seminary, she writes full-time from her home in Fort Worth, Texas. You can find Gayle at https://www.gayleveitenheimer.com.

Thank you, Gayle for sharing this beautiful post with us. I’m heading to my journals now to find the exact dates of my children’s spiritual birthdays!