My son Luke turned 13 this past Sunday (7/12). In the morning he opened a special gift that only a father can give: a Marlin semi-automatic .22 rifle with a 4×32 scope. He then enjoyed a fun day at the beach with family and friends.
After the festivities were over and my wife and I we were just about to turn in, Luke came into our bedroom and sat on our bed. He then jumped next to me to snuggle. I asked him if anything was wrong. He said no. Then he asked if I could pray for him. Now typically this is something we do together on his bed as he is going to sleep. But he had a specific request.
“Now that I’m 13, would please pray that I can get to know God better and that I can make faith in God my own and that I would live out my faith.”
Wow. I couldn’t have scripted this any better. Next to me was my oldest son, whom at 3 months of age was hospitalized for 30 days and almost died. I believed then that God spared his life for a purpose. And my prayer ever since has been that he would become a mighty warrior for Christ. In his own way, he expressed the desire of my heart.
Words fail in the ability to express my emotions then and right now as I type this to you. Humbled? Grateful? Sober? Amazed? Overwhelmed? So joyful that I just want to run outside and scream and dance and sing?
I share this to encourage your heart. Our faith is living and active and the investment we make into our children and others will reap huge dividends for the Kingdom. We do not serve an impotent God. We serve a ‘right here with me now’ Father who is actively engaged in advancing His Kingdom in our hearts and lives. This is what it’s all about.
Now, just be sure to remind me of this ‘Hallmark moment’ when he’s driving me so nuts that I want to pull out all of my grey hair. That will bring me back to reality real quick!
This is beautiful Matthew!! Thanks for sharing.