A Word for My Son

Eleven years ago, he made me a mom. At 12:21 am, following 27 hours of labor, they placed a 9-pound, 1/2-oz baby on my chest. And I was FOREVER changed.⁣ That was a year and a decade ago. Now my firstborn is more than halfway to college. They tell you the time passes quickly, and it’s hard to see such truth when you’re smack-dab in the middle of those early years. And yet it’s true. The days pass slowly, but the years … the years fly.⁣

And my dear boy, today on your birthday and always, here’s what I want you to know:⁣

God has given you a heart that is both fierce and tender, compassionate and strong. I see it displayed in the way you so tenderly love your sisters (all four of them). I hear it in your voice when you hurt for the hurting or seek mercy for those wronged. I sense it when you quietly come alongside me, not yet too old to find solace from your mom.

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And yet you long for adventure and the rugged grit of a young man. God has given you a wild, masculine heart. Never let anyone extinguish that, for the world needs more Godly men with wild hearts. Men who will stand up for the truth, defend the oppressed, protect the fatherless, fight for the weak.   ⁣

The world is a wonderful, beautiful creation, and yet it can also be harsh. The same sun rises across both breathtaking splendor and stark wasteland. It is the same with the human spirit: it can be both beautiful and ugly.

Love people anyway. ⁣

Show kindness. ⁣
Share the gospel. ⁣
Be the hands and feet of Jesus.⁣
Laugh often.⁣
Cry without shame.⁣
Memorize scripture.⁣
Listen.⁣
Then listen some more.⁣
Pray without ceasing.⁣

And my dear son, know this … You are wise beyond your years, and you are grounded with roots that stretch deep. God has written the pages of your story before one of them came to be, and it is a magnificent masterpiece. Trust Him even when the way seems dark or the path unclear. ⁣

And know that your dad and I love you with a depth we can’t explain. Watching you grow into the young man you are becoming is an unspeakable joy. We are so proud of you, and we cannot wait to see what the next decade holds!⁣

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Like what you see here? Then you’ll love my first-ever children’s book, Bruce the Brave. Available on Amazon! For more like this, connect with me on Facebook or Instagram! To receive more encouraging posts AND get a free printable, enter your e mail in the box to the sidebar at the right. Then just click “I want to Follow F&C!” Be sure to check your inbox for the confirmation and the link to your free printable. You can also follow F&C on BlogLovin’.

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