“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” 3 John 1:4
Wow! Five years old! What a great and, at times, crazy year it has been; Superheroes, trampolines, Moana, Power Rangers, hospital visits, and some of the most joyful moments of my life! Such a great year and yet, I feel like I can only remember a small percentage of it. Sons, as you get older and have a family of your own, I would strongly encourage you to find a way to capture the memories while you are in them. Especially something like a memory journal, so you can write about what happened and the feelings surrounding it. I know when you are living in the moment, those things can sometimes seem inconsequential, but sometimes those seemingly insignificant moments are the ones that we end up treasuring the most. As things happen, you feel like you will remember it for the rest of your life. No need to write it down because how could you ever forget this. However, especially once you have kids, it seems like you are having those moments on a weekly if not daily basis and your mind just simply can’t keep up with it all. Trust me; you want to take some steps to help you hold on to those memories.
This week you are starting your first full week of kindergarten. I’m sure you are going to have fun and I’m excited to hear all about things you learn throughout the year. However, I am the most excited to see what the two of you are going to learn about God in the coming year. Shortly after turning 4, Cash caught me watching the end of “God’s Not Dead 2” and quickly pointed out the lawyer shouldn’t be mad at the lady for believing in God because God is real. Both of you have started to talk about what you learned at church and even singing the praise songs you learn. Both of you have memorized John 3:16 and it makes me so proud every time either of you decide to randomly recite it. You both say your own prayers every night when Mom puts you to bed and you have even reminded Mommy and Daddy that we needed to say prayer a couple times when we were rushing to have dinner before bed time.
Cash, you seem to have a passion for leading people as you always want to lead people in workout routines and even ask Mom if you can speak to challengers in her Facebook live videos. Also, in just the last couple weeks you have developed an interest in cooking and ask to help Mommy make dinner. You even made everyone a banana and chocolate chip pancake dinner just last night. I see you developing into a strong leader and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you.
Raylan, you have started to really develop an ability to solve problems and work things out. I notice it the most when you are playing games and I see that you don’t really need much help getting through levels as long as you don’t let yourself get frustrated. You are great at working through it and finding out what you need to do. You have also become somewhat of a shark/fish expert throughout the year. Mom and I bought you a shark book and it didn’t seem like you put it down for weeks. Now, when we watch shark documentaries or look at pictures you are telling Mom and I what type of sharks and other fish we are looking at. I see you becoming a passionate man who has the ability to really work through problems and I can’t wait to see what God brings out of that.
Sons, just as I did last year I want to take some time to lay out a plan for what I want to work on this year. Things I want to work on at being better as a father and spiritual leader as well as things that I want to begin or continue teaching the two of you to help you develop into strong godly men. It is of the utmost importance, as you become leaders, to always have a plan. You will likely learn this as you start to do more group activities and eventually when you join the workforce, but there is no leadership role more important than the role of leader you will take on when you start a family. I want you to know how seriously I take it so that you will do the same. I hope as you grow you see an example set by me that is worth following; an example of what a good leader, husband and father look like, of how to love and care for your family, and most importantly, of how to love, follow, and obey God.
Ok so let’s start with me, what are some things I need to work on to ensure I am setting a good example for the two of you? First of all, I want to continue not just getting into the word, but getting into the word where the two of you can see what I am doing and realize it should be a part of our daily lives. I also want to start getting into the word as a family. To that end, I have already bought a family devotional; I just need to set a time to start it. I need to get better with my phone. I know I said this last year, but I need to continue working on this and make sure that I am in the moment with my family instead of staring at some life-sucking device. I know that technology has it place, but that place is not between my family and me. Being in the moment will also give me more opportunities to teach and love, which is something I want to do much more of. As you start school and start to meet new friends,I know that I will need to be even more vigilant about being a strong spiritual leader and I intend to step up in that regard. Finally,I want to just enjoy life with you, often parents don’t do that enough with their kids, but I want to create as many memories as I possibly can.
Now, to lay out a plan for what I work on with the two of you. I want to continue to work on honesty with the two of you. I know that both of you understand what it means to tell the truth, but I know that sometimes you struggle with it and so we will continue to work on that together. I want to find opportunities to speak to you on what it means to be a Christian. I know that you know who God is and you know who Jesus is, but I’m not sure that you really have a true understanding of being a Christ follower. I don’t want to bring it up in a way that pressures you to do or say something you aren’t ready for, but at the same time I want you to start understanding that Mom and Dad are Christians and that we live our life always trying to obey and follow God. I want to find ways to get you as excited about the Bible and those stories as you are about watching superheroes and power rangers. I want to continue to groom you into strong kingdom men that God will use to bring people closer to him. Godly Men, that will stand up for their faith and not be led astray by false teachings or clever lies. Men of faith, who call on God in both the good times and the bad.
Boys, I want you to know that I pray for you every day and every night. I pray for your safety, your health and your spiritual growth. I thank God for letting me be your father and for giving me the opportunity of teaching you about Him. I thank God not just for the boys you are, but also for the godly men I know you will become. I hope you understand how much I love you. I hope you know I am always here to listen, guide, help and protect. I hope when you look at me, you see an image of a godly man. By the time you read, this I hope you are already far along on your journey with Christ. I can’t wait for that day. The day when you come to me and tell me that you want to accept Jesus into your life. I pray for that day, too, and I pray for it often. I pray that it happens soon and that it is the beginning of a lifelong journey for God. Sons, I have prayed for you every day of your life and please know I’m not stopping. I will keep going and keep praying as long I have breath in my lungs because I love you and I know God loves you even more.
Follow God.
Obey His Word.
Sing His Praises.
“Come, let us shout joyfully to the LORD, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation” Psalm 95:1
