Hey Son,

I am super proud to be your dad. You bring so much joy to your mom and I. We have had such a great adventure getting to know your personality and seeing how smart and loving you are. My heart is full when I think about you and I am excited to see what God does in and through your life.

I’ve learned a few things about you in the last 3 years.

You have a huge heart. It is amazing to watch you express your love, concern, and care for others. You have loved your little sister since before she was born and to see you talk to her, sing to her, hug her, and hold her makes my heart swell with pride over you. Where ever we go you say “Hello” to others and I love to hear you say “Don’t cry. It’s ok.” when we see another child that is upset. Lately, your favorite phrase is, “Let’s do this TOGETHER.” You want to do everything as a team. You love to help. You love to make others happy. I believe your capacity to love is as large as anyone I’ve ever known.

You have unlimited energy. I hope that you can grow to see that this means you have unlimited potential. From the minute your feet hit the floor each morning you are off and running. You are constantly moving and if our car could run on the kinetic energy we would never have to buy gasoline again! I love this about you. I hope that you never lose your passion and zeal for life.

You love music. You are definitely my son. I love to watch you dance and perform. While it drives me crazy, I do like how you study and strum my guitar (One day, when you stop messing with the tuning keys it will stay in tune!). You have a beautiful voice and when you sing it floods my heart with joy. You pick up on songs and lyrics so quickly. I love it! I can’t wait to see if this love for music will continue as you get older. I sure hope it does.

You are always out in front. I’m not sure whether you are a Leader or merely The Ringleader but more often then not, you have a parade of boys and girls behind you. You are the most visible, the most vocal, and the one with the most personality. If I’m being honest this is the part of your personality that I pray over the most. There is a responsibility to others when your put yourself out in front. You have to watch where you go, how you treat others, what you say, and how you say it. Character trumps personality and integrity trumps volume every single time.

As I think about these things I’ve shared with you today I can’t help but think about Proverbs 4. As your dad, I want the two us us to discover the instructions in this passage together. My prayer for you and for me is that we will grow to use our hearts to love others. I pray that we my spend our lives and our energies to serve those around us. I want us to use our gifts and talents to lift others up. I pray that your desire and my desire is to help others and bring joy to the lives of those closet to us.

I love you Son and I am honored that God chose me to be your Dad.

Proverbs 4:1–27
“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

Question: What are some things you want your children to know about growing up and living out of the unique way that God wired them?