Birthday Boy

Someone's 12 today...

Someone who's becoming such a winsome young man!

Last night, at our first cast meeting for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, one of the directors reminded me that she had helped as an assistant coach on Bantam-then-11's soccer team last fall. She said, "I just loved your son. I thought he was so mature and respectful and fun.... When it turned out that he's going to be our Edmund, I was so excited! He's such a NEAT kid!" ("Neat," son, as in "cool." It was cool to say "neat" before it was cool to say "cool.")

We are so proud of you, son, and the young man you are becoming. You've always been handsome and funny, a boy who attracts friends. But I have been proudest of you when you have sought out the boy with no friends, and befriended him, when you have told the others, by your words and your actions, that it was not cool to pick on him--that in fact, you really liked him--and the others followed your lead.

You've always had a kind and patient streak. Being in the middle, you've had to deal with a teenage brother and sister, a brother 4 years younger than you--not quite as close in age as you'd have liked--and a baby (now toddler) and preschool-age little sister. It amazes me to see how well you've learned listen to each one, to adjust your expectations, even your tone of voice, as you relate to each one differently. I've seen you do the same in our theater group; consequently, the little kids love you, and the older ones think you're awesome.

I've seen you grow so much in responsibility and diligence this past year! I have been especially impressed at how persistently you have begun to practice piano and figure out songs for yourself. I also appreciate the days that you "get serious" about getting your brothers to clean up your shared room. I know it isn't easy to get their cooperation, but when you lead the way, it ends up happening! I see you working hard to master little skateboard tricks--instead of giving up quickly--that's persistence too. And I just overheard you saying that while, deep down, you didn't want a lead part in Tom Sawyer a year ago, you're ready, now, for the part of Edmund, and learning all the lines, the cues, and the songs--a big responsibility indeed. ("Edmund's in almost every scene because--well, the whole show is about Edmund!" your director said to me.) I know you're up for it--can't wait to watch you!

Though you pull off that "cool" thing very well, I love your sensitive heart beneath it. We still laugh at your words after your younger brother was born: I asked, "Are you my big boy?" You replied, with a long sigh, "Yeah....but I have a baby heart." Your heart has always been tender toward others--you're always the one to remember who needs prayer. And it's soft toward God, too. It has been a blessing to listen to your prayers each morning; it's like seeing through a window into the soul of a young man who loves God and wants to obey Him!

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
(Proverbs 3:3-6)