Dear Ben,
This year marks a pivotal one as you officially enter your teenage years. Your mom and I are leading our couples community group through a Paul David Tripp study called Age of Opportunity, which focuses on parenting teenagers. I find myself excited for the years ahead, the unique conversations we will have, and, perhaps most importantly, the fun we will have together.
The first thing that stands out about you is your ability to ask great questions. I suspect I will mention this every year I write you a birthday letter. It is one of your defining characteristics, and quite frankly, one I want to emulate in my own life.
Another characteristic I find so encouraging is your positivity. I sometimes poke fun at it, especially when you are convinced one of our favorite sports teams is about to pull off an improbable upset. But my experience suggests that as life goes on, it becomes harder to remain positive and optimistic. My prayer for you is that your exuberance for life never wanes. I hope you always look forward to what is coming with the same enthusiasm you have today.
This past summer was a perfect example. Watching you and your baseball team win the Wasco league tournament, followed by your travel team winning its final tournament together, was an absolute joy. But what I will remember most is how you encouraged your teammates. Your belief in others, your constant cheering, and the joy you brought to that team were remarkable. Once again, these are qualities I want to bring into my own life.
As I close, two other things come to mind.
First, I simply have so much fun with you. I can say the same about Sadie and Will, and especially about the three of you together. Being your dad is one of the greatest blessings of my life.
Second, I have noticed you upping your game when it comes to personal discipline. Whether it is reading, schoolwork, or exercise, you are beginning to take more ownership of your responsibilities. I was particularly encouraged by your commitment to finishing your devotional this year. Even more meaningful have been your prayer requests about wanting to dig deeper into God’s Word. It is a joy to see you taking your faith more seriously and developing a desire to know Jesus better.
On a lighter note, it brings me great joy to hear you working out in the basement while blaring classic rock music that would make most middle-aged men fist-pump. Your taste in music is certainly something we can agree on!
I am proud of the discipline you are developing, but I want to remind you of something far more important. Your accomplishments will never determine how much I love you.
Above all, I pray you continue to grow in your relationship with Jesus. There will be plenty of successes and disappointments in the years ahead, but I hope your faith will remain the foundation through it all.
I love you. I will always be here for you. And I cannot wait to see the person you continue to become.
Happy birthday, Ben!
Love,
Dad