My eldest son, Lincoln, is 13 today.
Of course, he’s been going crazy, waiting for this day to come… and sending me and his mum crazy in the process.
But in his overwhelming excitement, I don’t think it’s really dawned on him just how significant this day is.
Oh, don’t get me wrong…
He’s been checking his muscles out everyday, since I don’t know when, hoping they’ll be bigger than they were yesterday.
He counts every new hair that appears on his body… and shouts it loud and clear when he discovers a new one.
We’ve also been having lots of little “talks”… about “stuff”… boy and girl “stuff”, if you know what I mean.
But, as important as all of that is… there’s more to it, hey. So much more.
So, I thought I’d share the message we wrote into Lincoln’s birthday card.
It’s not long, but hopefully, it goes some way towards preparing him for the amazing journey that he’s about to embark on.
And not just Lincoln… but all the young men – the men in training – who’s journey towards manhood has begun…
Dear Lincoln,
You’re not a boy anymore.
No… you’re a young man now.
A young gentleman… about to embark on an exciting journey.
Towards manhood.
It’ll be fun… and funny as well. Exciting, challenging, full of adventure.
It will also be terrifying… sometimes.
But you won’t travel alone.
We’ll be with you… loving, encouraging, teaching, cheering… sometimes steering you, crying with you, celebrating with you.
More importantly… God will be with you… protecting you, moulding and shaping you, building His character into you, leading you… transforming you into the man he has always destined you to be.
So be strong and very courageous.
Always trust what God is doing in you… and always live from your heart.
Happy Birthday, our precious young man. We love you.
Mummy & Daddy.