Happy 43rd Birthday, Joe!

On December 4, 1968, the future tallest 5’5″ man in the world was born.

The lyrics of an old 4 Him song state that a measure of a man “is not how tall you stand, how wealthy or intelligent you are.” No, that’s not a pun on your height but I certainly agree with 4 Him.

The world may measure a man by these standards but I know that man is nothing without God. God saw enough worth to send His only Son to die in man’s place. That said, how is a man measured?

I don’t know if I can fully answer that question but I know this—you are worth more to me than any earthly treasure. You stand taller at 5’5″ than any other man to me. It’s not the amount of money you make or the knowledge you’ve gained in this world that makes you who you are. It’s the knowing who you are in Him that makes you who you are. It’s the integrity you’ve allowed Him to grow in you. It’s the character you’ve gained as you’ve allowed Him to work through your personality.

Women so often measure themselves against the Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman. Though we should forever seek to follow after those virtues with the help of His Spirit, we often fall short. It’s not the perfecting of the virtues that make a woman virtuous. It’s the determination to allow her Lord to work those virtues in her life. Though she falls, she gets back up.

Likewise, a man of integrity isn’t a perfect man. He’s a man who will persist in seeking his Lord to develop out integrity in his life. Though he falls, he gets back up. A man who knows his faults and weaknesses will do this more readily than one who sees his own greatness and falls from pride.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? ~ Micah 6:8

Over the years of watching you grow and growing with you I’ve seen you fall and I’ve fallen three times for your every one. I’ve watched you struggle. And I’ve watched you get back up. What makes me so incredibly grateful to be the woman standing by your side is your willingness to see weakness and run to Him and your determination to seek Him not only on your behalf but ours.

Though this year has been difficult in so many ways I’m forever grateful for the trials and the struggles. He is using them to cement our marriage. Your hard work, loyalty and determination for not only me but the girls as well has always been evident.  But this year I’ve watched your character grow tremendously. Jesus stressed that worry certainly won’t cause a man’s stature to grow.   But you know what? I wonder if the opposite could be said by having faith because this year you’ve grown taller than Goliath in my eyes.

I love you more than ever before. Your price is worth far more than chocolate and Diet Coke.

You ROCK!

Your Angel

P.S.

I love that your height has never bothered you.