Sunday, February 1, 2015

Happy Birthday Derek

1/16/2015
Happy Birthday, my Son.  A teenager – WOW!

While I am far away, please indulge me as I share some thoughts with you.  If you get nothing out of this, then at least it can be an object to rebel against.  When I was your age, I felt the need to rebel against something.  Perhaps, in time, you will re-read this and see that I do love you and that I want nothing but the very best for you.  The past cannot be undone, it can only be forgiven.

“Build me a Son, Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid… And then I, his father, may dare to whisper ‘I have not lived in vain.’” – General Douglas MacArthur

Derek, be strong, brave, careful, and considerate.  Men deal with the world. Boys are born to contest the world.  “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too.” – “IF” by Kipling. 
Then you will succeed in my eyes.  I am proud of you.  I am proud of what you have achieved and overcome.

“Forgive me, I’ve done everything wrong, I have done nothing right.  I was, as a model, insufficient, and as a preceptor, hypocritical.  Here is what I wish to have said: Our time is almost done, and I have taxed you with my pomposity and garrulousness and officiousness, and you have been supremely patient with me.  But perhaps you might listen for just this last time, in the hope that these words might aid you.” –Polonius

Derek, your distance from God is based on your own standing.  God is where He has always been. “The best way to know God is to love many things.” – Vincent Van Gogh.  The power of love is the greatest power in the universe.  It’s beyond defeat.  It never fails (1 Cor 13:8).  God is love.  Releasing love is releasing God into any situation.  Then Jesus becomes responsible for its successful outcome.  Talk about powerful.  Keep faith, hope and love, but remember that love is the greatest of those.

I love you, buddy!

            -Dad

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