My dear son,
You carry my name but you also carry your own. My hope is that you would see Jesus in me. I want to be a man you want to grow up to be like. Not in skill or talent but in character. You will find your gifting. You will answer your calling. You will fulfill your purpose. You may not always see it but I see it. I see it even now. In the hopes that I will see this come to fruition, I also pray that you will let my courage inspire you. Let my love convict you. Let my dreams ignite you. Let my voice elevate you. Let my shoulders carry you. Let my prayers remind you and my songs come to your aide in time of need. Let the words I have spoken over your life be a beacon in the darkest night. Let my fears teach you and failures comfort you. Let my consistency bring you awareness of what it takes. Let my stamina and perseverance be a marker to measure your progress.
May you value what I protect. May you forgive what I have willfully ignored and tolerated. May you see God’s love burn in the hearts of your generation. May you lead them well. May you teach them truth faithfully. May your weaknesses by guarded and strengthened. May your innocence be protected. May you build greater than me, reach farther than me, and influence more powerfully than me. May God instruct me to instruct you. May God carry me to carry you. May God father me so that I may father you. I pray that I would be a good example to you as we watch each other’s lives. May you see what true friendship is. May you see how a man is supposed to treat his lady. May you see how a man handles injustice. May you see how a man is to properly handle his money. May you see what it takes to run a business and family. May you see the humor in life and the joyful rewards of patience. May you find the beauty in nature and in the love of God. May you enjoy the benefits of focused academic study and may the discipline you practice in private be rewarded with observable results. I want to live life in front of you in such a way that you may find your way long after I’m gone.
With Greatest Love,
Dad