Jack’s Birthday Letter

August 18, 2009 in Personal with 3 Comments

This past April, my wife and I and our daughter Anna took a road trip to Kansas City to attend worship at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. We had a great time together and had the opportunity to attend 3 of the weekend worship services at Church of the Resurrection, which is the largest United Methodist Church in the country. It was a “scouting” trip for me which means that the reason for my visit was simply to observe and learn from a sister Church, but I was given an unexpected gift during that visit.

The weekend that we were in worship, Adam Hamilton opened up a new sermon series on parenting, and during that first message he shared a practice that he had implemented into his life as a Dad. Each year on his children’s birthday, Adam writes a letter to his children in which he reminisces on that particular year of their life and takes the time to identify ways in which he has seen them growing in their life and faith.

I personally was brought to tears as Adam talked about how important this practice has been to him in his role as a Dad. In talking about the role he plays in his children’s lives, he said, “I was so scared because I couldn’t imagine failing at this… because this is the most important thing in my life.” It was a moving experience for me to hear Adam, a pastor I deeply respect and admire, talk about that which is most precious to him.

So last week, when my son turned one, I began a new practice in my life… a birthday letter for my son. I’m sure one day I will have to explain to my daughter why she didn’t get her first birthday letter until she turned six [in January of 2010] and her brother got one on his first birthday. I am a little late with her, but I do look forward to sharing this gift with my children. As Adam shared in his message, “I don’t expect them to appreciate this gift every year of my life, but one day, when I’m gone, I know they will treasure these words from their Dad.”

Here’s what I shared with Jack on his first birthday.

If you’re child’s birthday is coming up and you cannot figure out what gift to give… how about a letter from you?

  • Melinda Bridges

    Just another reason I like you so much. You do such a great job for our church!

  • Michelle

    David, this was amazing. I wish that I had something like this from my father, who passed away when I was ten! Thank you for sharing!

  • Becky Ruesnow

    Reminds me of God's letter to all of us to show His great love. How wonderful for you and your children. Mine are grown but maybe I can try it out on my grandchildren.