I am copying a letter that I wrote to my kids about year ago, inspired by reading through a book called "Sacrilege"(a worthy read) by Hugh Halter. I find it as a good reminder for me to go back to this letter often.
Hannah & Hudson ,
I wanted to take some time to write you a letter about one of the most important topics in
my life: Jesus. As we grow as a family, you will hear me talk a lot about Him,
and we will pursue His kingdom together by His grace. But at the same time I
know that as you look at me I hope you will not confuse me with who Jesus really
is. That’s why I wanted to write this letter to tell you about the Jesus I hope
you know and meet. I want you all to know the Jesus who pursued me with His love
when I was far from it. Your daddy was a pretty big loser and yet Jesus was
patient enough with me to give me chance after chance after chance. He gave me
time to seek Him and yet when I was totally lost it was Him who sought me. I
want you to know the Jesus who loves sinners, and screw ups, like me. HE
literally took my life and transformed it to where I was able to marry your
beautiful and wonderful mother. I want you to know the Jesus of the Bible, who
is full of power(I’ve seen it), and full of mercy and compassion. He is really
patient and long-suffering, which is exactly the opposite of me at times. I
don’t want you to know the doctrine of Jesus, which is important, or think that
if you know certain answers I’m satisfied with that. No, I want you to know Him
personally, even if you disagree with me on certain things. He truly is all
there is to life. Without Him, I don’t know where I would be. Still to this day
He is gracious towards me, which means He doesn’t just destroy me on the spot
when I don’t reflect His character and nature to you guys. As you look around
the world, you will try and find value and identity in things or in people,
maybe even in us(your parents), but I promise you, Jesus is the only one worth
placing your identity in. He loves you, created you, and was willing to be
killed for you. He also is your best friend. I am writing this to you so that
you don’t get lost in the poor image of Christ that I display at times. Jesus is
bigger than me and my understanding. If He can love me and continue to show me
grace, undeserved, than I promise you, nothing is impossible; nothing. At times
I know you will doubt and maybe question what your mom and I believe, and I
understand that. I hope you know that I don’t want or desire you to agree with
me on everything about God, I just want you to know Jesus. The Jesus of the
Bible. Jesus is a way better daddy than me to you two, He is a better husband to
your mom than me, He is the best. Even though I will let you down, Jesus
won’t.
The 2nd reason I am writing this is to tell you why we do the things we do as a family.
It isn’t for praise from people, or so daddy can look better(although at times,
I admit, I want to), but I really want our lives to be about Jesus and for
Jesus. You are my kids and that will never change, and I want you to hopefully
someday know this Jesus. He really is saving the world. He is powerful and
understanding, He is in control, and yet shows mercy to us in our weaknesses.
You will never have to hide from Him, there is no shame or guilt in His love. He
is perfect and He is willing to show this to you and pour out His love on your
life. So I hope that even though the image of Jesus and the Father will be
distorted by my actions at times, I pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit
you will be able to see past my sins and see the one who is
sinless, and
who made a way for sinners to be saved.
I love you so much.
Daddy
Hannah & Hudson ,
I wanted to take some time to write you a letter about one of the most important topics in
my life: Jesus. As we grow as a family, you will hear me talk a lot about Him,
and we will pursue His kingdom together by His grace. But at the same time I
know that as you look at me I hope you will not confuse me with who Jesus really
is. That’s why I wanted to write this letter to tell you about the Jesus I hope
you know and meet. I want you all to know the Jesus who pursued me with His love
when I was far from it. Your daddy was a pretty big loser and yet Jesus was
patient enough with me to give me chance after chance after chance. He gave me
time to seek Him and yet when I was totally lost it was Him who sought me. I
want you to know the Jesus who loves sinners, and screw ups, like me. HE
literally took my life and transformed it to where I was able to marry your
beautiful and wonderful mother. I want you to know the Jesus of the Bible, who
is full of power(I’ve seen it), and full of mercy and compassion. He is really
patient and long-suffering, which is exactly the opposite of me at times. I
don’t want you to know the doctrine of Jesus, which is important, or think that
if you know certain answers I’m satisfied with that. No, I want you to know Him
personally, even if you disagree with me on certain things. He truly is all
there is to life. Without Him, I don’t know where I would be. Still to this day
He is gracious towards me, which means He doesn’t just destroy me on the spot
when I don’t reflect His character and nature to you guys. As you look around
the world, you will try and find value and identity in things or in people,
maybe even in us(your parents), but I promise you, Jesus is the only one worth
placing your identity in. He loves you, created you, and was willing to be
killed for you. He also is your best friend. I am writing this to you so that
you don’t get lost in the poor image of Christ that I display at times. Jesus is
bigger than me and my understanding. If He can love me and continue to show me
grace, undeserved, than I promise you, nothing is impossible; nothing. At times
I know you will doubt and maybe question what your mom and I believe, and I
understand that. I hope you know that I don’t want or desire you to agree with
me on everything about God, I just want you to know Jesus. The Jesus of the
Bible. Jesus is a way better daddy than me to you two, He is a better husband to
your mom than me, He is the best. Even though I will let you down, Jesus
won’t.
The 2nd reason I am writing this is to tell you why we do the things we do as a family.
It isn’t for praise from people, or so daddy can look better(although at times,
I admit, I want to), but I really want our lives to be about Jesus and for
Jesus. You are my kids and that will never change, and I want you to hopefully
someday know this Jesus. He really is saving the world. He is powerful and
understanding, He is in control, and yet shows mercy to us in our weaknesses.
You will never have to hide from Him, there is no shame or guilt in His love. He
is perfect and He is willing to show this to you and pour out His love on your
life. So I hope that even though the image of Jesus and the Father will be
distorted by my actions at times, I pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit
you will be able to see past my sins and see the one who is
sinless, and
who made a way for sinners to be saved.
I love you so much.
Daddy