I was feeling down on Paul’s birthday, not unexpectedly.
And Dianne gently and kindly suggested with think on this blessing, adapted from Ephesians 3:14-19:
And now, may our great and eternal Father bless you. May he strengthen your inner being with power from the Holy Spirit. May Christ dwell in your heart through faith. May you be rooted and grounded in love so that you will comprehend with all the saints the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. May you be filled up to all the fullness of God according to the riches of His glory. And may you exalt His glorious name forever and ever. Amen! Taken from Ephesians 3:14-19It was on a bookmark given to the 1st Grade Sunday School workers at Bethlehem.
And it was tremendously helpful to think on!
I continue to be deeply blessed by my wife, the faithful mother of our children:
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26
P.S. Paul provided his own present on Monday – a little song and a smile. This was how he used to be most of the time; today we enjoy these flashes of his old self with much greater appreciation and gratitude to God!
In case you were wondering, the bandage is mostly to protect his hand since he bites himself during his ‘spells.’
The Works of God 
John, I’ve been a subscriber to your blog for months, though I rarely click on over to comment.
I just wanted you and your lovely Proverbs 31 wife to know how much I appreciate you sharing your life with us. Your family – all of you – is a gift to the Body of Christ. You have no idea how many families your encourage with your candor and transparency. Thank you and may the Lord bring blessings in abundance to you and those you love this day.
John, we have never heard Paul speak before! What a precious gift to hear him sing. Thank you for sharing.
We had the privilege of working with your oldest daughter when she was in the 1st grade Sunday School class at Bethlehem (my husband was her small group leader). This was during the time when Dianne was battling cancer so we spent much time that year praying for you and your family. I’ve been following your blog for awhile now and want you to know how much I have been blessed by it. Today was no exception! What a delight to hear Paul sing! Some day Paul will be whole again with eyes that SEE Jesus. For now he blesses us with songs about Jesus.
How great to hear Paul sing that. What a gift.
Happy Birthday a little late Paul! I follow your dad’s blogs everyday and my favorite blogs are of you singing! How amazing is that! I know a Paul in the Bible that said “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice.”
I have a little ten year old daughter who does not speak and is disabled. Thanks you for reminding us of Rejoicing in the Lord, Paul. I look forward to this blog everyday.
I am not sure how I came across your blog. What a sweet balm it is to this weary Mom.
Your relationship with your son is very touching.
Your blog is very instructive to me. Life is difficult, but for the past few days, because of your blog, it have been very encouraged.
Our son is 21. He is the 2nd of 5 children.
Thank you for sharing your family.