It is so Like You

I am leaving for our church's women's retreat today, and wanted to post this before I left. Alan's birthday is on Sunday. Please join me in blessing him for his birthday.



From Jonathan:
Dear Daddy, I love you because you don't always yell at us.

From Elizabeth:
Dear Daddy, I love you so much and you love us, too. Thank you for the best hugs ever. And I hope you have a good birthday.

From Daniel:
Dear Daddy, I love you a lot. Please have lots of fun on your birthday. And I really love you.

From Linda:
Honey, thank you for watching the kids this weekend so that I can go to the women's retreat. It is so like you to encourage me to go so that I can be renewed and challenged in my faith. I appreciate the way you care for us, not only physically but also spiritually.

I had planned to make your favorite Crockpot Beef Stew so that you wouldn't have to worry about cooking. You told me, "Don't worry. Just give me the recipe. I'll make it." All so that I could leave earlier to take care of some much needed errands. It is so like you to offer to do that.

I often think about the many trophies and awards you bring home from company conventions. You always tell me to throw them away, that they are not important and would just collect dust. It is so like you not to care about the accolades of men. The only reward that really matters is the one that lies ahead, the one Jesus is holding out to you.

I'll never forget the time you turned down a prestigious company promotion. You didn't even mention it to me until after you had decided, because in your mind it was not even an option. You didn't want to commit to traveling 80% of the time and be away from our family. And God blessed your decision. Every time I see you reading a story aloud to the kids, I thank God that it is so like you to choose your family over your work.

Your spiritual gift is the gift of service. You're not the guy up on stage. You're the one in the background, sweeping the floor, setting up chairs, working the sound ministry or doing whatever thankless task no one else wants to do. That is so like you.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to tell you, on your birthday, how much I love and appreciate you. Every day I find more reasons to love you. As much as I loved the man I married, I love even more the man you are becoming.

Happy Birthday, Hon! We love you!

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage." Psalm 84:5