Letter to Weston

I wouldn't normally post this, but since I referenced it in the last Porch talk, I have been encouraged to make it public. The night before each of our children have been born I have written them a letter. This was written Wednesday, 2 weeks ago at 11:35 p.m. on September 19th.

Weston,

I get to meet you tomorrow and I should be sleeping, but I am too excited. Not to mention, your grandparents just got here. I thought I would write you so that later in life you can read this.

I never thought my parents understood me. When I got older I realized they understood me much more than I gave them credit for. I spent much of my life looking for the next good time. I have tried to find happiness by keeping all the rules and breaking them. About 11 years ago I stumbled into a church after a life of thinking I knew God. It was then that I really understood that God wanted dependence from me; that He sent Jesus to purchase me with His life. I've looked at the arguments of science and evolution and I understand that the concept of God is quickly growing unpopular. I am, however, certain of Him. He is not just a good idea, He is.

I write this, because my biggest prayer for your life is that you would know Him, love Him, and follow Him. Your mother, sisters, and I have prayed for you every day over the past 9 months. They are so excited to meet you and they will want to hold you right away. I will probably have to tell them no, because they might drop you or bounce you around. I don't know what is in store. I am sure that I will disappoint you at times, but please know that I love you. Even before I've met you, I love you. I am committed to working through any differences we might have. I am committed to helping you in any way that I can. I am committed to teaching you things that I know and sharing any learnings that I've come across along the way. I pray that you are wise. I pray that you stand apart from the currents of culture and that you lead and shape culture—conforming it to what God has intended.

You need to know something else too. You have the best mom that anyone could ask for. She is an AMAZING woman and she cares better for her kids than anyone I've ever seen or heard of. You really lucked out! I hope to provide well for you guys, but if anything ever happens to me you need to take care of our family—as the man of the house. We've got some pretty good folks around us, so lean on them too.

I am going to try and go to bed now and I will see you in the morning.

Love,

Dad

It is my joy to minister to young adults and my prayer for them is similar to my prayer for my kids—that they would know God and give their lives to His purpose. Weston was born at 8:25 a.m. on September 20th. I hope the Lord will disciple each of our children through Monica and I and that they in turn would entrust their lives to Him. I pray you and I would do the same.

JP