For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord… (Ephesians 5:8-10)

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity… (Ephesians 5:15-16a)

Today our beautiful daughter, Naomi, celebrates one of the most pivotal birthdays of her life to date. Sure, there is a lot of significance to all the milestone birthdays such as “Big #5” and “13” (entering the teen years) and “old enough to drive”… then vote… and of course the traditional “Coming of Age” at 21.

But this time around it is 21+21, or Coming of Age Times Two. This is Naomi’s first birthday as a “Maul” again after a painful divorce, and now there is this opportunity to be 21 for the second time, and to forge a brand new path that is as beautiful and as full of promise as she is.

My words for Naomi:

So, Naomi. Happy Birthday! The old cliché says, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” But the idea I am floating is so much stronger. You are turning 21 for the second time and this can mark your first year as “Naomi 2.0” – Version2 with the upgrades of experience (sometimes painful), and wisdom (hard won), and a clearer idea of where you want to be, and – most importantly – a clearer understanding of who you are (not just a Maul but a child of God and the mother of three amazing children).

As of today anything is possible if you A) believe, B) hold yourself accountable, C) keep a level head, D) work hard and E) invite God into every area of your life.

Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord…

You are already proving yourself in your job. People there love you, they appreciate your leadership and your intuition, and they are amazed by your positive energy and your natural gift for engagement with people – customers and staff.

You know what is required of you to succeed in your job, and you shine! And when you apply the same belief in yourself, and the same self-discipline, and the same faith, and the same commitment to be your very best – to Life in General – then you soar, you rock, you sparkle and nothing can stop you.

So happy happy birthday, may this “Second Coming of Age” be the entry point into so much that is good, and encouraging, and inspirational and – in a word – WORTHY of a human being of your rare caliber.

We love you. We believe in you. We pray for you every day. You’ve got this!!!!

In love, and because of love – DADDY