Today on my 36th birthday I would just like to praise God for so many things:

*For His amazing, saving grace that has transformed my life & given it meaning

*For all of the circumstances of my life, including the difficult ones, that He has used to cause me to grow spiritually

*For allowing me to serve Him in my home, at my church & in my community

*For giving me all that I truly need in this life

*For lavishing upon me the blessing of 5 wonderful children and a loving husband

*For giving me the freedom to worship Him and the privilege of homeschooling the children that He has entrusted to me

*For blessing me with 36 years of robust health & energy

*For being patient with my many failings [sins] and never leaving, forsaking, or giving up on me.  (Oh, if I can only be 1/2 as longsuffering & patient with my own children)

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for lavishing your many blessings upon me, even though I have done nothing to earn a single one of them.  I pray that the next 36 years of my life (Lord willing) will bring glory and honor to You, as You continue to conform me to the image of Your Son.