“It will go by so fast.” “Enjoy every stage.” “The next thing you know, you blink and they are grown.” All true statements spoken by the parents who have gone before me. I can still remember the day I went into labor with you. The first time there was a thunderstorm after we brought you home from the hospital. I rocked you as the thunder rolled and the rain pelted the window of the nursery. In that moment I missed my Dad and thought about how much he would have loved you and how grateful I was to have you to pull me from my grief. Little baby Brad. My heart still melts every time I look at the picture of your own Daddy holding you for one of the very first times. Blink. Now you tower over me when you hug me and tease me about being a little mama. Blink. You are now a young man.

Watching you grow into the young man that you have become has been one of the greatest joys of your father’s and my life. As you prepare to leave the nest, there are a few things I hope you will cling tightly to as you navigate the world. If you follow these principles, you cannot fail.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

The Lord will never leave you, no matter how difficult life may be, or how distant you may feel from him. Relationships change, dissolve. People are fickle. Jobs are temporary. But God is constant. The Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. As a believer, you possess the power of the Holy Spirit. Let this power give you the strength and courage to face whatever obstacles you encounter in life.

Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

Just because you saw it on TikTok, it doesn’t make it a good idea, a good investment or a good use of your time and resources. Stand firm in your foundation and beliefs. Don’t just follow what everyone else is doing. Continue to be you. Wonderful, amazing, talented, smart and kind, you. Don’t get lost and caught up in following the things of this world. This, too, will lead to disappointment. God will light a path for you. It is best to follow that. When you get lost, reach out to him and he will guide you back.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men. (Colossians 3:23)

If you work to please humans, you will be perpetually disappointed. If you constantly seek the approval and praise of people, you will be left feeling defeated, deflated and exhausted. Whatever your task, even if it seems menial, do it for the Lord. He sees you and is pleased with you.  

Rejoice in your sufferings, as suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

Even when you follow God, he does not promise that life will be all rainbows and sunshine. There will be pain, sadness, loss, anger, and grief to name a few. But it is through these experiences that God writes your story. In all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). And remember, he will never leave you nor forsake you, even in difficult times. It is during these moments we can draw closer to him. He will continue to mold and shape you if you will let him. And oh what joy will come from following him!

Pray continually. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Know that I have never stopped praying for you. And until my last breath, I will pray for you and your future wife, your children and your children’s children. I encourage you to do the same.

As you enter into adult life, know that you always have a safe place here at home. We are so excited to see what God has in store for you!

My sweetest Bradley, you are the cutest, little boy I’ve ever seen.

Oh how your mommy and your daddy, love you unconditionally.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

You make me happy when skies are gray.

You’ll never know dear how much I love you.

Please don’t take my sunshine away.