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In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Somewhere a way off down the ribbon of time, He created you Will, and you’ve reflected His creativity everyday since. You waited until the very last minute, then decided to find a creative way to exit the birth canal. You spent the entire day on this, your 10th birthday creating. Stuff for everyone in the family. Handmade, personally dreamed up, individually meaningful.
I know you’re an artist, because you’re the only one who doesn’t realize it. Humility. Nothing you do is ever good enough, but only for you. I’ve learned from Dallas Willard’s commentary that you are “pure of heart”, perfectionist, always striving. You will see God. I see Him in you everyday.
You see the beauty in every little thing that God infused with beauty. You brim with the knowledge that king Solomon in all his glory was never clothed like one of these flowers. Everything takes on a deeper meaning for you. The damp smell of morning, fog on the river, bird songs, junk piles. You remember people and places with all your senses. You smell the cranberry river. You see Cherokee. You feel camping.
I’ve heard you many times wonder over another unknown sense. A sixth sense. What would it experience? You are prime “ears” for the whisper of God. Prime nostrils for the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Eyes to see His glory. Taste the goodness of God. Touch the lives of everyone around you. You are the best hugger ever born. You make everyone feel like your favorite person.
You are a walking encyclopedia of scientific facts about God’s creation. You know every strange detail about every exotic creature that most of us have never heard of. Yet, you are one of the most unique, quirkiest, fascinating creatures that I’ve ever experienced. I am quite sure that some day, college students will study your unique visual perspective, vantage point, use of light and color, shape and form. Some generation of pre-schoolers will squeal with delight at the rhymes and lessons of “Uncle Willby”. Someone’s everyday will be made a little easier by some invention that I can’t even fathom. Someone’s spiritual insight will be deepened by your ability to tell a story.
All our lives are made richer because of you.
So… to a wordsmith.
You’re double digits, a face card, little Indians, a dime.
Perfect ten.
May God give you more than three score more.
Happy Birthday, most important reindeer