2014 comes with birthdays to celebrate, a year to reflect on; Seth is eight today.
How to fit it all into a pesky top ten list is a conundrum, but we do what we can.
1) Intensity is key. Call it enthusiasm for life or go-get’em attitude or passion or drive, whatever that “it” is, you’ve got it in spades. You’re all in and you’re pulling us all along with you.
2) Optimism is a close second. You had the privilege of going to a Vikings game and were seated in the last row of the entire stadium to which you responded, “Wow, Dad, we can see the WHOLE field!” At home you told me, “I think we had the best seats in the whole place!”
slugs
3) Since our move, you kids have had more chores and more play. With that, you’ve definitely increased your stamina for both work and play. Endurance is such an important thing and you’re growing in it and even on occasion finding that work and play can be one!
Carpet pool
4) You continue to enjoy soccer and football and gym class at co-op. Your above mentioned intensity, optimism and stamina are all fuel to your enjoyment.
5) You are an exuberant singer and piano player. It is delightful.
6) You are a good brother to three sisters. It may not always be an easy task, but it is a special and important one, to be a tender-hearted brother to the girls. You are learning to honor them.
drivin’
7) You are also a good brother to your brother. This new role has been embraced by you full throttle. I love seeing how you have a special bond with Titus and he responds to you differently than to his sisters, with more grunts.
photo credit: Jenny Rigney
8) You could play board games all the live long day. Quiddler, Rummikub, Five Crowns, Risk: you love a good game.
9) You take a lot of pleasure in your friends. After church you hurry to find your group of guys and visit for as long as we’ll let you.
tug o war
10) You are a problem solver. You like things running smoothly and logically and usually have a plan for how to get there. What a blessing.
Dear Seth, as you approach life with lots of vigor and an eye to solve things, I pray that you would know deep deep down that our Big Problem has been solved. And it was solved by Someone who loves us and gave a solution to us because we could not and cannot solve it on our own. You know I’m talking about Jesus and the problem of sin. He’s fixed it for us and we get to say thank you and be happy in the resolution. Even more, we get to use our gifts and abilities to solve other much smaller problems for his glory, because we are made in His image. We can solve things like the problem of a messy room or fixing something that’s broken or hard math problem or even things like a cure for a disease.
May you trust God to solve the Big Problem for you, may you read of his solving, resolving stories in the Book. And may you imitate Him in working to solve the problems he brings your way for the good of the people He’s given to you and in His strength, for His glory.
Our boy
We love you, son.
