Happy birthday Tracy! As if there is the tiniest chance that you are actually reading my blog today! 🙂
But either way, let me tell everyone reading this that I not only married WAY out of my league, but I realize that you are still every bit the gift from God to me that you were almost sixteen years ago when we got married.  The only difference is that I love you more now as I know you so much more now.  Happy birthday.  Store-bought cake is on the way! 🙂
Today’s prayer…
FOR Christ’s sake, God, give us the strength to be your servants.  We are ministers of your gospel, called to service, but we confess we fear the power you bestow on us to be able so to serve.  Help us, therefore, be servants of your joy, as through joy are we freed from coercion and violence of the everyday.  We thank you for making us representative of your kingdom.  AMEN.
— Stanley Hauerwas,  from his book,ÂÂ
Peace, Jim