Happy birthday, Sara!

Sara and her son (and Katie's BFF) Daniel, Fall 2007

(l-r: me, Larry, Sara, Becky. and Bob at Sara's bachelorette party, 2002)

Tomorrow is my best friend Sara's birthday. For the last 6 years or so, Sara has been more than a friend to me -- someone who will tell it to me straight and yet love me nonjudgmentally no matter what I've done. One of the things I love most about our friendship is the lack of drama -- I rarely have to worry about stepping on her toes or having to watch my words around her. Even when I say stupid things around her, she shows me God's grace rather than taking my big mouth personally. And her prayers for me have been sacrificial and amazing. I've never had a friend like her, and I thank God for her.

Six years ago, when Sara was preparing to marry the wonderful man God had prepared for her and when I was just beginning to realize how much I treasured her friendship, I came across a song that put into words exactly how I felt.

"More Than You'll Ever Know" by Watermark

Something brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you
Something about just being with you
When I leave I feel like I've been near God
And that's the way it ought to be...

CHORUS:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah

You had faith, when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be... (CHORUS)

You have carried me
You have taken upon a burden that wasn't your own
And may the blessing return to you
A hundredfold, oh yeah... A hundredfold, oh yeah... (CHORUS)