Today is her birthday - my first born daughter. The day of her birth is still such a vivid memory. Gentle eyes and spirit that even now melt my heart with the words, "I love you Daddy."

Amazingly in two days I will walk down the aisle to give her away in marriage. As a young woman with maturity, intellect and a godly spirit, I am confident she is ready but... Why is it so hard to let her go?

I realize now that she never was mine to let go of in the first place - only borrowed for a time from the One who created her in His image and likeness. We were brought together for a time to learn more about God. For me - lessons of loving, instructing, and disciplining in the ways of the Lord. Sometimes I did well, sometimes I didn't. For Emily there were lessons as well.

Walking down the aisle with Emily is a special honor for me. Weddings were important in the life of Jesus, too. His first miracle took place at a wedding ceremony at Cana of Galilee where He turned water into wine.

"This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory and his disciples put their faith in him." John 2:11 (NIV)

Would you celebrate with me this joy in my life and the opportunity to learn new lessons?