Happy Birthday, Little Brother!I couldn't let the day go by without thanking God for your life and the blessings He has given us all through you....so with that said, here goes...
1. Thank You, God, for Joseph Robert Kern, and the amazing passion you have put inside of him. Anyone who knows him...knows that Joey doesn't ever do things half heartedly. Whether it be a baseball team, duck decoys, helping me hang a heavy mirror on the wall...to even his very own wedding... he goes all out...and gives it everything he's got. He wouldn't and couldn't do anything less. I love how I can have a conversation with him about something he really loves that I know nothing about....and sure enough, within 10 minutes, he's got me loving it right along with him.
2. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the huge amount of love you have put in Joey's heart towards the people in his life. He is a faithful friend. And a faithful brother. It is only by your grace working in his life that he loves the way he does. I think I saw the biggest example of this when Sugs died. His careful detail to giving her a place to lay, and his loyalty in caring for her until the very end, was just one example of his commitment to the relationships in his life.
3. Thank you, God, for shining your light in Joey's life...and for opening his mind to question... and wonder... and struggle...and consider... all that life is, and why he is here. So many people go through life avoiding the big questions. And just taking life as the here and now. But you opened Joey's heart and caused him to see the beauty of Yourself through Your Son...
'For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.'
(2 Corinthians 4:6)
4. Thank you, Jesus, for letting me be his Sister. Thank you for letting me be his BIG sister. Being almost 10 years old when he was born was a great thing. I remember so much...from the falls down the stairs, dropping him off of the counter as a baby, the bruises, the broken collar bones...even from the very beginning...that incredible physical strength and endurance was there.
Yet, as big as he was, he still was sweet baby Joe-Joe. Maybe not to poor Mom...but he was to me. What ten year old girl doesn't love having a REAL baby in the house to play with? He had a special place in my heart from the very beginning...
5. And lastly, Lord Jesus...as I close in my thanks for Joey's life...I ask you now to please bless and keep him. Make Your face continue to shine on Him. Protect him, at work and in his coming and going. Use his life to glorify You. Do not let him stumble...and cause his eyes to be fixed on the cross.
When he is feeling let down that he can't live up to You...remind him that that is EXACTLY why you sent Your Son in the first place... You loved Him that much. You died the death he deserved to die...and you lived the perfect life he never could. Remind him he is more loved than he ever dared hope.
And when his birthday's in this lifetime run out...encourage him in the knowledge that he will have the incredible, indescribable privilege, of being in your presence and living a life of excitement, joy and utter amazement in eternity that he never thought possible.
Thank you, Father, for showing us Your amazing holiness, love, compassion, creativity, and even your sense of humor, in the creation of this man...who you call your friend..........and Your son, Joseph Kern.
How blessed we all are by just this one, yet very important life...
In all these things, I pray in Your name. Amen.
Happy Birthday, Joey.
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