Happy birthday to my courageous son

Happy 29th birthday to my wonderful, courageous son Bryson. I don’t know another person who has been called upon to take up more difficult challenges than you have had to battle in your life.

Lesser men would have given up the fight long ago. Yet your determination never to give up, but to keep reaching out for more in life has inspired many, even as you have inspired me as your dad.

Together we have learned what Jesus taught, that in this world we will have tribulation (Matthew 16:33). No doubt, we have experienced our share of trouble, pain and sorrow here. It has sometimes seemed as if darkness, meaninglessness and even death would have the last word in our lives.

Yet we have learned that only our Creator, Jesus, gets the last word, and that nothing is impossible for Him. Jesus always shows up in His own way, and in His perfect timing, defining victory as Heaven defines it, not necessarily as the world defines it. He values faith, hope and love, the things that have marked your life.

Paul said: “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor 15:19). How good it is to know that a day is coming, after all our birthdays are brought to an end in this world, when Jesus will come to carry us home.

In His presence there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, and never another tear will be shed. There will be only joy forever. We will finally be home.

But there is one thing that won’t change in Heaven, Bryson. For as long as eternity lasts, I will still be thanking Jesus for the awesome privilege He has given me, of being your dad.

I love you Bryson. Happy birthday my son.