Tim is 37 today.  If you asked him, he might tell you that he doesn’t feel like he’s accomplished much in those 37 years.  He might point out that our house has far more projects that need to be done than have been done already.  He might note, with discouragement, that our bank account shows our finances barely in the black.  He might express worry that he doesn’t spend enough time with our kids, or that he’s doing something wrong in how he’s prioritizing life.

But I would disagree with him.  I do disagree with him on this, often and unwaveringly.  He has always and consistently put God first, and me and our children above every other pursuit in life.  If projects seem to be slow around here, it’s [almost only] because he’s been going to (and helping coach) basketball and baseball games, and serving me in innumerable ways, and taking time to read and sing and pray with our kids every night, and watching the same movie for the tenth time (or more) on Tuesday nights.  Or it’s because he does everything with excellence, which sometimes means things take a lot longer, and sometimes means things need to be re-done, and sometimes means project plans and priorities need to change.

And it can be hard to see that the money isn’t always there to do everything we’d like to do, but there has always been enough.  Through two rounds of unemployment in the past 7 years, there has been enough.  And we know that what is there is there honestly.  He has always handled our money with the highest integrity.  He has gone out of his way to never take advantage of, never cheat, never be miserly.  He gives generously and faithfully and without fear of what tomorrow will bring.

He’s not a perfect father, but he is a good dad.  As much as he wishes he could do more with our kids, I am positive none of our children feel a lack of attention from him, and every one of them loves the time he spends with them.  They know he loves them.  They know they’re more important than money and projects.  They know he is principled and kind-hearted.  They know he makes mistakes, and they know he knows that he makes mistakes.  They know what it is to be tucked into bed every single night by their dad.  He teaches them about God and tools and science and repentance and work ethic and honesty and vacuuming and cars and honoring parents and serving and giving and so many other things.  Our kids are blessed to have him as their dad.

It’s true that the world might look at Tim and see a life that isn’t filled with many things that are considered valuable in our society.  And it can be hard at times, not having immediately tangible results to show for how you’ve spent your life.  But I just want to take this opportunity to say that there is so much that Tim has accomplished in his 37 years.  His value to me and to our children is absolutely immeasurable.  The investment he has made in them will be bearing fruit beyond anything that any other investment could bear.  I am so proud to be his wife, and to be celebrating his life with him today.