A Blessing...

May the Lord of the outcast, the King of fools, the great shepherd of our souls, come and place a kiss of peace on your cheek.

May He say to you, “You are mine and I am yours.”

May He give you the embrace of the Father that will heal a thousand wounds and speak a thousand hopes into life.

As He takes the dry ashes of misspent passion and gives you in its place a garland of praise, may you rejoice.

No, may you shout with a bold, confident joy at the dizzying delight of being chosen, of being welcomed in by your true Father and invited to sit with Him at the banquet table reserved...for His friends.

But, as you celebrate your delightful privilege, may you never forget that the one who called you His own is friend but also sovereign King — that He who gave everything up for you calls you to give everything up for Him. Timothy J. Stoner, The God Who Smokes