What will it look like?

A.J.,
I was think of you today as I was thinking about the seminary class that I am beginning. The class is about the mission (purpose) of God in this world, and the place that the church plays in God's plans.
As my mind began to wander (and it always does, and quite often to thoughts of you), I began to wonder what "church" will look like by the time you become a young adult. I am not certain, but I feel that it will be somewhat different than it has looked in the past.
I find that very exciting, mostly because I have become a little bored with the way that we have done church in the past. One person said it this way: we need to stop "doing church" and start "being the church." And by "church" I mean the body of Christ here on the earth. We are supposed to be (and to have been being, if that makes sense) the hands and feet of Jesus, going to and touching the people of the world with the love, power and purpose of God.
My hope for you is that you will be on the leading edge of what God is doing in and through your generation to reach the world with the love and the message of Jesus. Trust me, it is the greatest endeavor that you can ever connect with on this planet.

Your Teeth

Hey Beautiful Girl,

We just left your house a few days ago after spending four days with you. I wanted you to know that at this time you have the two smallest little bitty teeth that I have ever seen....and they are so cute! In fact everything about you is so cute, and put together results in the most beautiful girl in the world.

I tell you this, and want you to remember it, because there will certainly be days when you don't feel beautiful or valuable or loved. So remember this: even when you don't feel all these things, you still are all these things...... I hope that makes sense.

Love you,

Pops

Thanks for coming...

Hey Beautiful Girl,

You came to St. Louis earlier this week (you came with your mom, riding with your Grandma and me as we were returning from Wichita, KS). You were a good girl the whole time, and you actually started to play with Bella a little - very little, but it's a start.

I am writing this to tell you that I am looking forward to your visits in the future when you can come by yourself and just hang out. There are a lot of things I want to talk to you about that I don't want anyone else to hear or read about (mostly your parents). I have stories about your mom and dad that they will never tell you (remind me to tell you about the time we played musical chairs at your mom's 5th birthday party), and secrets about life that are too powerful to let out in public.

Anyway, I look forward to those times with you.

As always, I love you.

Pops

Spoiled is what you're supposed to be

Alexa,

Someone has to tell you this, so I may as well be the one. So here goes: you are spoiled.

But I want you to know that that is OK; in fact, that is the way it is supposed to be, the way God wants it to be. God delights in spoiling His children, as do your parents.

The problem is that being spoiled can lead to being a brat, and that's not the way it is supposed to be.

What is the difference between being spoiled and being a brat you ask. Simple: thankfulness. As you exerience the goodness of the heart of your mom and dad (and of God), you MUST be thankful...consciously, verbally, extravagantly thankful. Gratitude is one of the most powerful attitudes that you can develop.

Think about it. When you give someone a gift, or do them a favor, and they go out of their way to express their thankfulness and show their appreciation, what does it make you want to do? To help them or give to them again. BUT, if you give to someone and they take it for granted, how motivated are you to do it again? Not very.

SO, know you are spoiled and don't be ashamed of it -- be thankful for it. But never allow yourself to become a brat. (I actually believe that when we allow ourselves to become brats we tie the hands of God from blessing us -- after all, He doesn't want a bunch of brats for as His kids).

Changing....

Alexa....

Tonight I had the honor of changing your VERY poopy diaper. I won't take the time to describe it in detail, but just know that it was a work of art.

It also made me think about something........there are only two times in life when someone wears diapers: when they are very young and very old. I plan on living to be very old.

And remember - I changed your diaper when you needed it.

'Nough said.

What will the world be like....?

Alexa,

Your grandma and I just got to your house for Christmas week ... and it is so wonderful to see you. Everytime I see you after having been away from you for a few weeks, you seem to have changed so much. Needless to say, you just keep getting more and more beautiful (I can't wait to see how breathtaking you are when you actually get hair!).

Watching you change as time goes by makes me think of something else that continues to change with the passing of time: the world you live in.

In many ways, the world keeps progressing in very positive ways. Advances in communication, entertainment, technology, travel, etc, make the world a much better place to live. On the other hand, the world is also progressively moving in a negative direction: away from the character and nature of the God who created it.

As I think of you and your future, I can't help but wonder what the world will be like when you become a teenager, when you get married, when you have kids, and when you have grandkids.

Although I cannot predict with any sense of accuracy what the world will be like in those various seasons of your life, I can tell you that the more your life is connected to and anchored in the person of Jesus Christ, the more the world around you will make sense. He is the only one who is truly trustworthy and faithful, he will not let you down, and he will never deceive you.

Please stay close to him. Watch your mom and dad closely, and follow them as they live their lives in relationship with the person and truth of Jesus.

I love you.

Your first Christmas

Alexa,

Your first Christmas is just around the corner, and I can't wait to see you, and that reminds me of last Christmas, when I felt the same way, only different -for you were still warm in your mom's tummy.

You have brought a tremedous amount of joy since last Christmas, and our world would not been complete without you. So... I simply want to say thanks - for just being you.

I hope you realize that just the fact that "you are," brings us joy. You don't have to do anything or prove anything. Simply because you are you, the world is a better place.

Your value resides in who you are, and not in what you do.