A Letter To Isaac
My son is 15 months old and I asked myself what I would tell him when he is growing up to be a man. It will probably be a letter of hope, encouragement and resilience. I hope that when he grows up, he will keep these words into his heart. I do this to share about the need to influence people towards greatness.
Isaac Trying To Climb Up Daddy's Leg
Do read my personal letter to him:
—
25 Aug 2010
Dear Isaac,
I just want you to know that you are really the apple of my eye. Do you know that every time I look at you, feelings of fondness and love for you will flow out from me? Whenever you lay on your bed and sleep, I will endeavour to steal a glance and watch you slowly drift into sleep. I will walk up next to you, crawl onto the mattress and give a kiss to tell you that you are a beautiful gift that God has blessed mommy and me.
I pray that you will be a man of character, standing strong in a world where values are constantly shifting and eroding. I pray that I too will be such a man that can lead and teach you to do what is right. Sometimes the weaknesses of my soul and flesh will betray me. Even my words may not match up to my actions, but I hope that you will forgive my fallen nature and know that I am a father who is giving his best to teach you life lessons within my capabilities. Focus on building integrity and acting on good intend rather than the outward appearance of looks and impression.
If you handle your inner world in a correct manner, your outer world will be great as well. Your inner beauty will radiate outwards when you hold fast to the values you are taught. Remember that situations do not make a man, but they merely reveal the size of character in a man.
The world awaits you with much excitement and snares. I am excited for you on how you will handle this journey and yet at the same time concerned for the snares of unpleasantness it can hurl at you.
Whenever life throws you disappointments, failures and heartaches, remember that everything has a season. When you are suffering in coldest winter, remember that spring is coming. When darkness is at its fullness, remember that dawn will break forth soon.
Your perspective and resilience in handling what it can throw at you will set you apart from the rest. Never give up on dark situations, but instead ask how you rise above it. When you keep asking the right questions, I believe that you will find the right answers. Emotional resilience is important in an uncertain world where everything happens so fast. Hold on to God and allow Him to guide you through.
Isaac, I also pray that you will grow in wisdom in handling situations around you. I also know that wisdom comes from making wrong choices. Therefore be courageous in making mistakes because there is always a gem of wisdom that we must learn from every one of them. Mistakes are also a gentle way of reminding us that we are still human and not as invincible as we think we are.
Let love for mankind and God guide your every action. Let it also be the guiding principle of your decision making. People around you may not respond or reciprocate in the same manner, but do it anyway. Love is an intelligent willingness to do what is the best for the other person. It is not a feeling, but an action. Do not let others influence you that love is a feeling and is only there while it lasts. There will be many times you will not feel like loving, especially when you are hurt by others, misunderstood or even hated, but do it anyway. Love need not be done in an extraordinary manner, but just you being faithful in loving people around you, is already extraordinary.
Isaac, remember that your mommy and I will always love you. We want you to know that you are precious and that having a resilient character is important. Be the man you are supposed to be and be a person after God’s heart.
With the sweetest love,
Daddy.
P.S.: I still look forward to watching you fall asleep.
Isaac sleeping on his favourite boaster
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Tagged with: encouragement • God • greatness • influence • Isaac
Filed under: Mindset and Inspiration
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Hi Kenneth.. This letter was awesome!!! it make me want to cry.. I’m hoping the best for my son too who will turning 1yr old in Sept 2010.. you know what, I’m look forward watching my son fall asleep at night too.. looking at his innocence face, make my heart beat faster..
Hoping the best for your son too..
Ha Ha Kenneth,
Shows you are still new to the parenthood game. My daughter is Primary 3 currently. Yes, I too want to tell my daughter what you have just written down except of course mine is the female version. Unfortunately wait until they are say 12 years or maybe 15 years to actually understand what you mean. The only way you can get this type of message into your son is by praying it into him. The reality of your daily conversation with Issac will most likely be one of the following sentences…
Isaac… time for bed… go to sleep now…. do not waste the food.. this food is good for you…hurry up now…. do your homework….. stop making so much noise…..stop playing now….give me back my phone, my computer….. etc…. etc…..
When Isaac reachese Pri 3, you will find you will be talking more to the teachers in school and the chinese tutition teacher than you do to Isaac. Welcome to the real world.
At the end of the day when you come home from work and Isaac is happy to see you, please treasure that moment. It will not last.
Please remember: To the world you may not be someone, but to someone you may be the world.
I wish you the joys of Fatherhood.
John
AWWW! That’s real sweet! I bet he would be in tears, reading this letter.
Thanks for sharing. I am sure when Isaac is old enough to read it, he will have already made you proud in many ways. Something that I watched recently which also talks about a message from a father to his children which was very inspiring. Please follow the link to view the video. This is done on one of the Ophrah shows http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oaz7uODm48
@Ching Ming: Thank you for the Ophrah link.
@Matthew: Thank you for your encouragement.
@Dr Heng: I’m still new to the parenthood. Thanks for your advice. I loved your last few statements: “To the world you may not be someone, but to someone you may be the world.”
@Siti: One year old is a beautiful age. Looking at them fall asleep with the sense of innocence is really amazing. They are so small and adorable.
Hi Kenneth,
Its wonderful to read this letter and couldn’t come at a better time. I’ve just been thinking yesterday about writing a letter to my sons as well and now that I’ve seen yours, I’m more encouraged to write one soon. Its nice to do it on the net, but I hope you have a hand-written version as well, there’s nothing better than to hold a piece of paper 20 years old and see his own father’s hand-writing telling him of all your dreams and desires for him, something he can physically hold on to for life, maybe even pass it down to his children. I hope you do that.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Laine.
Hi Ee Laine,
Agree with you that I should be physically giving him a letter. Nothing really beats a hand crafted letter that expresses your inner most thoughts.
Let’s do something to encourage our next generation.
Hey Boss,
I may not be a father right now but i have a tiny glimpse of your heartbeat for Isaac as I look after the younger generations in Rage. It may not be at the same intensity as yours yet the love poured out is similar to the heart of the father as he looks at his children. As you continue to love Isaac, I too am praying that it carries the same revelation of the magnitude of God’s love for you, your family and his people. May you continue to be in awe of the persistent and consistent love of God as you love Isaac as he grows up. I will rmb this letter when I think of what i want to say to my children next time. thanks boss for sharing! =)