2

Happy Birthday, James-Lawrence!

I'll never forget the day you were born. It was instant love.

used to

I used to like the thought of being famous;

now I just want to be known.

I used to love the idea of wealth;

now I'm learning to give what I have away.

I used to want to be beautiful;

now all I want is God's glory reflected on my face.

I used to want to be well-dressed;

now I'm clothed in the garb of Heaven.

I used to wonder why I am the way I am;

now I know that my origins are from among the angels.

No fame, no wealth, no beauty have I, 

except that which Christ bestows.

dance

"My daughter dances with me. Her face shines from the reflection of my glory. How I love to gaze upon her. She is my beloved."

I thought I knew You. But we've been reacquainted, and this reintroduction has completely altered my existence. I wish I would find adequate words to capture what I never knew. Your love language and posture toward me radiate to the point of exhaustion. I've been laboring for this breakthrough for months. And now I am ruined. Your heart toward me in nothing less than lavish. Your romance, Your passion, Your charm consume my every thought. How I consume Your every thought in return. I become shy at Your advances. You draw me again to Your closeness. You give me Your heart and I learn to understand You, to pour out myself the way You pour Yourself. In Your presence, I find my joy. I am free to enjoy, free to laugh and free to dance before Your throne. I am Your child and daughter. May my life entertain You and bring Your lavish praises. I'm forever lost in your love.

blameless

Philippians 1: 9-11

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.

fair enough

Having pale skin has never been easy for me. I have enjoyed few days with it. I have often found it too different and unglamourous. However, as of late, as of scorching my precious arms and legs on an Atlantic beach, I have never loved it and longed for it more than I do now. I cannot wait for my limbs to return to their original glory. And I hope I cease to open my mouth in a complaint about how fair I am. I am just fair enough.