Happy Birthday Giles. . .

If we look at things outside of time as God does, then the day before my horrible day, He had already provided for me, before I even stepped in that house, He had provided for me the way back out. As I thought about that last night I found myself praising Him who cares so much.

I am often grateful to Steve for leading me to you, allowing me the chance to know you and be blessed by you and your life. You have already taught me so much and although I know I'm not out of that house yet, and I don't know how long that journey will be I am glad that I am no longer alone in it; that I have you walking with me, struggling with me, and at times crying with me.

You are such a blessing to me, such an encouragement, such a good friend. Your family has also blessed and continues to bless me and I am often encouraged in my own role as a parent by how I see you parent. I am blessed to have a friend in your beautiful wife and the blessings just continue to come as I get to know the wee ones.

I do not know if you can know completely the impact your life is having on others but you definitely are having an impact by the few around me that I do see. You are kind and gracious, patient and loving, and so many times you have demonstrated Jesus to me in your humility and your grace. Thank-you for being a Jesus with skin on for me when I desperately needed that.

My prayer for you this day is that you will glimpse not only today but in the year ahead a portion of what you have done for others that it will encourage you in what God can yet do through you. I pray that your blessings will abound until they are almost too much, in every area of your life, your family, your work, your ministry, your friends, your walk with God. I pray that God will draw so close to you and minister to you in such an amazing way it would eclipse any other experience and you will once more be in awe of Him. May He rain down His blessings upon you, lighting up your days in color like the leaves outside. May He fill your days with more joy and love and passion than even you can imagine or dream about, and may He meet you daily in your dreams, that you might catch those glimpses of Him all around you and with you, and may you have that peace that that surpasses all understanding.