Daniel, on your 14th birthday....

Daniel, I was struck by your words the other day that 13 means you're a teenager and 15 means you're now in high school, but 14 wasn't really anything significant. That's the way life is, in between the milestone events are the times of humdrum and waiting, but would you believe it, it is the most crucial in God's plan. For it is in these times, He is preparing us for the huge events, by building relationship with us.
And this is my blessing for you this year...relationship....with God.

You have been named after Daniel in the Old Testament....here are some key quotes that speak to Daniel's character:
...but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]. (11:32-AMP)
...But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself (1:8-AMP)

Daniel’s Babylonian masters changed many things about Daniel’s life: his homeland, his diet, even his name, but they could not change his heart....who he was...a friend of God.
Daniel's bravery stemmed from the fact that he knew God.   He had a spiritual reservoir from his relationship with God from which he drew his convictions that enabled him to make a right decision in an hour of crisis.  

So my son, that is what I bless you with this year, a persistence and hunger after God, in spite of what your peers are engaging in. You have already shown that you will speak out for truth. You have hard, strong convictions and I pray that like Daniel, you will handle them in a humble and gracious way. You will need that spiritual reservoir that is built in relationship to draw from in today's world that so easily shows contempt for the holiness of your God.

And in so doing, may you be recognized and honored, as Daniel was by the king, as.."full of the Holy Spirit...a brilliant mind...incredibly wise..." and may you always be gracious and humble knowing full well...that it is God and His glory spilling out from a heart in sync with His.

Happy 14th Birthday, my son--have a great year!!

Love, thoughts and prayers,
Your Mom (:
(P.S...since I'm at the library, I don't have access to recent photo..but I'll correct that later..Ok(; ?)