I wanted to do something special for Samuel's 16th birthday. We weren't giving him a car or a great vacation, so whatever we did needed to be fabulous.
A few years ago (Samuel was 5 or 6) I attended a women's conference. One of the session speakers shared a story about her teenage son. He had rebelled and was coming back home, seeing that his faith and his family were true. His parents asked a few wise, Godly en to Coe and pray over him. They did, and the mom said their was a noted difference in him after that evening. I remember thinking that that's what I wanted to do for my boys for an important birthday or graduation.
So here we are. Samuel's 16th birthday. I knew that we wouldn't be able to get all the men that we would want to pray or give advice to Samuel in one place at one time. So, we chose to ask a few Godly, wise men that Samuel respected to write letters to him.
In the letter we told them about Samuel, what he liked, that he knew God wanted him to be in ministry, and that we wanted them to encourage Samuel. We know that the upcoming years are important decision making years for him. We asked that they give him a challenge of sorts, a prayer, words of wisdom.
The men we asked ranged in age from late 20's to 80's. They were preachers, professionals, blue collar workers. Some were family, friends, but all were trusted men. Some have lived squeaky clean lives, some are convicted felons and have spent years in prison. But they all love the Lord and have committed their lives to Him. That is what was most important to us. Wise, true, Godly advice.
I've read each letter and they are all wonderful, perfect, sincere, and kind. I've teared up at each one. It's neat to see how each man interpreted our letter. They are all so different in their subject matter, yet they all relate to him so well.
This has not just been a gift for Samuel, but also a gift for me. Not only do these letters challenge Samuel to grow to be a man that loves and serves the Lord, but they also speak of his family and the boy/man he is right now.
I'm proud of Samuel and I can't wait to see what God has in store for him. I want his life to be long, full, and meaningful. I want him to find someone to love and spend his life with, I want him to live his life for the Lord. If that means moving to another country or staying here and working in a factory. But what's most important isn't what I want. It's what he wants for his life (and of course what God wants.) And even though he doesn't know right now, he does know that he wants to live a life pleasing to the Lord.
I know you moms of adult children are telling me to slow down, don't get my hopes up. That these next few years might be pretty horrendous. Troubling and full of trials. Let me assure you I know for a fact Samuel is no angel. I know his mistakes, his weaknesses, I spend a lot of time with this boy and it isn't all kisses and hugs! I know that without many prayers he will struggle mightily. I also know that even though we are praying he might make bad choices, struggle, and go down the wrong path 
anyway. But I would sure rather be doing what I can, than sitting by and doing nothing.
Please join us in praying for Samuel. And in three years we'll ask that you do the same for David and for Daniel, and by that time you'll really be needing to pray for me!
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