It is my birthday today. I normally try not to make a big deal out of it. I sometimes didn’t like it when it rolled around, and a few were spent in places where I celebrated only by saying a quiet, “Well, you’re a year older, old man.” But today is different. Today, I woke up to a southern breakfast (biscuits, eggs, grits, and bacon) with coffee and orange juice, and my wife and son rattling off the Happy Birthday song. I will talk to my daughters today and that will complete my day, well before it is over. And my wife gave me what I think is THE perfect card – it reads:

My Husband, My blessing
I love the life we share.
because even though
we’ve been through
some difficult times,
we can thank God
that we’re not just stronger,
we’re closer than ever…
…and we know
that as long as we have Him
and each other –
we have everything
we’ll ever need.

God has a purpose for me, He has a job for me to do and my birthday just brings me one day closer to that purpose. So I say with a peace in my heart and a joy in my spirit, “Happy Birthday to me!”