This weekend I’m celebrating the sixty-first anniversary of the day I made my debut as a living, breathing, being here on planet Earth.

I know, we all have birthdays, and March 26 is certainly not unique to me, but there’s something special about acknowledging the particular day we were born, and I always like to use the opportunity of this annual marker to thank God for this amazing gift; to renew my commitment to live as fully as I can; and to remember to live in gratitude.

• To thank God for the amazing gift of life;
• To renew my commitment to live as fully as I can;
• To remember to live in gratitude…

My understanding of providence tells me that my very existence was a great idea that God imagined, developed with care and compassion, and then followed through on with love and purpose. I honestly believe that my Creator had something special and wonderful in mind – and in heart – when I was formed; and that my life – moment by moment and day by day – is best experienced as a grateful and purposeful response to God’s great intention.

My life is best experienced as a grateful and purposeful response to God’s great intention.

Rebekah and I are blessed in many ways, and one huge blessing is the fact that Naomi, Craig, and the grandchildren live up the road in Richmond. So they drove down for a quick visit and a dinner party; Naomi cooked, my parents came over too, and the children made me smile.

That’s all I needed, really, to be filled up; four generations of commitment, faithfulness, love, and promise.

Blessings to each and every one of you. May the good news of what it means to be a grateful child of God fill you up, overflow from abundance, and cause you to be the reason other people live in hope – DEREK

with Rebekah

my parents – who got the ball rolling so long ago!

cooking with Naomi

thanks, Naomi!

grandaddy with David and Beks