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Boys,
Wow, what can I say? There is so much that I want you all to know, and my prayer is that God gives us time and moments that will show you how much you mean to your mom and me.
I am writing this because we are 3 days away from the one year mark of a defining moment in our lives. I know that this has been a tough year for you guys, but know that we are moving forward. We left a home that you guys loves, a city that you had grown up in, and a church that you were free to worship in and call your own. We will have all of that again.
Know that God has great things in store for us. Know that He hasn’t forgotten us. Know that your mom and I do all we do for both Him and you.
Love you,
Dad
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Boys,
I had a thought tonight that I have already shared with two of you (Jonah and Isaac) on the way back up the mountain. I hope you learn this before I did.
Always give your best.
When I was a boy (and even after I had “technically” reached adulthood) I didn’t do my best. I competed in sports and activities, but I always seemed to hold back. I never jumped my highest, never used my full strength, would pass instead of shoot or casually run after the ball.
I was never out of breath after a race.
To give an example, when your Uncle David would wrestle me I would never use all of the strength I had. The reason is that he was bigger and stronger than me, and I knew that my greatest strength would still fall short. I also knew that if my strength fell short then he would make fun of my weakness. Its what brothers do…
If I didn’t use my full strength, and I lost, then I had an excuse.
Its what I did…
I want you to always give 100%. I don’t want you to miss out on opportunities because you think you will fail. You need to know that if you give your best it will ALWAYS be good enough. Win or lose… it will be good enough. Just give your all!
Don’t be afraid of failure. Don’t miss out. Don’t ever give yourself permission to question, “What IF I had given my all??”
Feel the burn in your muscles. Get a burn from diving on the floor. Be out of breath at the end of the race.
It will be good enough.
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Boys,
2010 is just about over.
I have been amazed at you guys this year. There has been major transition, and you have been strong through it all.
Through this next year, I hope to make the posts on this blog a very regular occurance. I really have no idea when you will find this, and when the proper time will be for you to make a constant page to look at and study. However, it is my hope that through all of the instruction and ponderings you will come to understand these things about me:
1) My devotion to God. He is absolutely the utmost reason that I live.
2) My love for your mom. She is incredible, and I am the man I am today because of her.
3) My love for each of you. You are each different, but I love you each the same.
I will be honest. I will write what is on my heart. I will look to lead you to be the men that I and God want you to be.
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Boys,
I need you to know that I am so totally impressed by you… all three of you. There are reasons too many to name, but let me try to give you a general idea.
Isaac,
This past year you have gone through some trying physical setbacks. These setbacks have had you missing school and traveling to the doctor two times each week as well as a massive change in your diet. It’s not been easy, son, but you stood tall and are making it through. Your laughter and imagination in all of your daily activities constantly bring life to me.
My, how you love your brothers!
You are mighty. You are huge. Never back down.
Jonathan,
Sometimes your thoughts are way ahead of your words, and I know this makes you nervous. I watch you, though, as you are a leader and the pivotal player in the eyes of others. Know this about yourself… you are strong and smart and fun and fast. Others look to you. Begin to look at yourself as you are.
You stood up for your brother at a new school. That speaks volumes!
Jonah,
You had the most time (in knowledgeable years) at Shelbyville, so this move has probably affected you in ways greater than the other boys. However, you have taken the bull by the horns and stepped up with honor and guts by not waiting for life to come to you, but by grabbing all that is life as a 13 year old and wrestling it into submission. Not another kid I know would take on two school sports without knowing a soul.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, or lag behind your skills. Be yourself. You can lead the way for your brothers.
I love you, boys. Our lives, though totally different right now, are moving toward the great plan that God has designed for us. You mom and I are totally in love, and we look at you guys with wonder.
It doesn’t matter what you do or do not do…
We are impressed by you.
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Jonah,
First night of baseball practice 2009. Not sure why they started at 7:30 in the evening, but you look great out there.
Have fun this year. Don’t let anything deter you.
I love to see you smile.
Dad
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Boys,
Jonah,
You are a tender warrior. Your strength is slowly becoming known to you, so don’t let it become the enemy of your compassion. Let them grow together so that you will become the leader that God intends you to be. An understanding heart will be the compass of your ability; flow with it and become complete in all that you do.
Jonathan,
You are concrete. As it pours slow and steady, it is made to become rock solid. Our job (mom and dad) is to form you correctly. You are fast and love the “run”, but the speed is not your strength. Your strength is your endurance, and this will be how you will lead. Your strength is your deliberate nature. This nature, if given to God completely, will allow you to continue on in all that you do.
Isaac,
You are an imagineer. Your “wonder” directs your movents, and you must never lose that. You also have the ability to put imagination to work by engineering a reality around it. Create. Dream. Keep the awe that you have, because we serve THE creative God. The world needs leaders that haven’t forgotten that the “anything” can become real.
Guys,
Don’t ever be afraid of giving your best for the fear of your best not being good enough, and that others will know. Don’t hold back and “play” because a weakness might be revealed if you fight your hardest.
I love you,
Dad
Boys,
You please me. I just needed, and need, you to know that. There is never a time that I am not pleased with you as my children. I am sorry that I don’t do a great job of showing that 100% of the time.
My frustrations get the best of me sometimes. It’s one of the struggles that I have, and I talk to God about it constantly. He’s working in me. I want you know know that God cares about the seemingly little things like internal frustrations just as much as He cares about the salvation of the world and healing the sick and all of that. The internal can be handed over to God at any time in your lives.
I also want you to know that any frustrations that I have are not because of you or your mom. I love you guys infinitely. Again, I don’t show that love enough; or at the very least I show something other than true love. I cherish you guys, and I want you to always know that. I don’t want to give any reason for you to doubt my radical affection for you three.
When I let things on the outside of the home get to me unfortunately you guys have to witness my venting. It’s not fair to you or you mom, and I’m sorry. I’m working on letting that part of me die to the Cross of Christ, so stick with me and by me. I want us to go on this adventure together; and I NEVER want to push you guys away. I want to do my best to earn the devotion and desire you have to please me. I want you to know that you gave your love to me and you received so much more in return.
Man, I love you guys.
Dad
It honestly doesn’t seem like summer should be over. Probably because it isn’t over; but they just keep moving the start of school sooner and sooner! From the date of this you can tell that I haven’t kept up with things too much on the blog. I’ll do better.
Jonah, you are growing up so fast. I know these first few days haven’t been the best in class; but always remember what we talked about in the car. You just do your best and the truth of who you are will come out! Be a leader. Don’t let the circumstances and trouble (and troubled people) around you dictate your day. Speak to the situation and lead both by example and voice and stand higher than every thing around you. You are a Scott. Make that mean something in your school (and world)!
Jonathan, it’s going to be a different year. 2nd grade!!! Take it by storm, and continue to make friends and be the leader that you have been. Don’t let them weaken your spirit. Be who you want to be. By the way, I knew you would be ok when I asked you about the first day and you said Mrs. Yockey gave you “a lead pencil and a snack.”
Isaac, got a couple of pictures of you. Today was your first day, and your mom cried a little bit. All in all, she held it together pretty much because of our understanding of the miracle that you are. Some said you shouldn’t be here today. You are, and you are full of life. Keep your bright eyes wide open and enjoy this ride! Also, notice the language on the third picture (on the sign). You live in a diverse world… embrace it while fighting for what you know is truth.
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Boys,
I remember when each of you were born. Jonah, mom almost died having you. Believe me, whenever you try to mess up as you get older, she will remind you! Isaac, you almost died at birth. God’s hand was miraculously on you and still is. Oh, and don’t you try to mess up either.
Jonathan, tomorrow is your birthday. I love you so much, but I need you to know that I like you. You really are a neat kid; and your life seems to be just like your birth.
Your mom and I went to the big hospital early so we would not be surprised by anything. Mom’s doctor was concerned about her because of what happened at Jonah’s birth, so they were not taking any chances. We were there for a while and they did a procedure to “induce” your birth. That means they were trying to speed things up a little bit in a “controlled” way. Well, they broke your mom’s water (I’ll explain at a later date) and knew they had enough time to give the epidural (which would take away the pain). Well, the pain came on a little quicker than normal so we asked for the epidural NOW, but it was too late. You had the plans that you were going to come out fast into the world. You did.
Mom is my hero. I almost passed out… REALLY! They got me a chair and all was well. You didn’t cry much, and we thought something was wrong. It wasn’t; it was just you being you and taking it all in.
Jonathan, you have a good temperament; please learn to stay that way. You are strong, funny and fast; and I know that you value that last one the most. You know, you don’t ever have to like it or hang around when someone pukes; so don’t let others try make you change. Realize that you are popular, but with that comes responsibility to wear your influence well. Be kind to all, build wonderful friendships, and don’t let that caring heart get hardened.
I love you,
Dad
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Boys,
I know that you don’t understand, but it really was a blast back to my younger years to watch the Celtics beat the Lakers last night. Thanks for hanging with me on it!
Found a neat picture that I thought I would share:
