Amor Sui

When lost in the darkness of self-doubt, search for the light of belonging reflected in the eyes of who finds you worthy; not only of living for, but to shed their own blood to save. You were not saved to be a slave, but a harvester and a soldier. Care for yourself as He would, and treat what He gave you as sacred, be it object, spirit, flesh, or other. In working for others, you must remember not to destroy another of His creations.

You are as you see those others whom you devote yourself to, worthy of your love.

Remember that challenges aren't forged to bring your heart down with you. They're given to you to offer you the opportunity to rise with strength, conviction, and wisdom you'd not have achieved through being handed. To learn is to earn, and to earn is to rise to be who you're intended to. All the while, when you see the pair of footsteps in the sand shift to one, know that He never left, but in fact carried you over the stones you were not yet ready to trek on alone. For He so loved you, and saw you greater than you view yourself, that He never stopped giving to you. For He so loved you, that He used his scarred hands to give you the rest that you've denied yourself for far too long now.

As for me? Well, I'd never expected that the companionship I'd prayed for would come in this manner, but as the days go by abord this ship of a world we ride together, I see more and more that such requested gifts were worth waiting for. Love, and celebrate yourself as His child, as my brother. As He does, and as I do.

Happy birthday, and may this year bring you what you never knew you needed.