Dear Andy, It’s hard to believe that my baby boy is graduating from high school. I know I will be grinning from ear to ear as I watch you walk across the field to get your diploma, just like I did on the day you were born.
How could that have been eighteen years ago?
I want you to know that I am proud of the young man you have become—proud of how hard you have worked and of all that you have achieved in high school. God has truly blessed you with incredible gifts.
I know our journey together hasn’t always been easy for either of us. We have each been frustrated at times. We have both been disappointed. It’s not always a blessing when your dad is also your pastor and soccer coach and comes to your school to teach Spanish.
It’s not always easy being my son.
I am loud and embarrassing. I say goofy things. I expect a lot from you.
But then again, life isn’t easy. You are going to have your struggles. You are going to have your heart broken at least once. You will have your share of disappointment and sorrow.
The truth is, life is hard. Work will test you. Love will challenge you.
But God has also prepared wonderful joys for you along the way. You will make new friendships. You may find love and grow a family. You will find satisfaction in your studies and work. You will experience triumphs along the way.
Appreciate those moments. Treasure them. Thank God for them. We don’t deserve the good things God gives us.
And when you face the dark days of life, turn to God in prayer. Cling to him. Trust in his love and forgiveness. Trust his promise that he will be by your side through it all.
When you were born, I dreamed of all the things I wanted for you—and still want for you. I want you to love and be loved. I want you to find joy. I want you to become the man God created you to be.
But in the end, the only thing that truly matters to me is that I get to spend eternity with you in heaven.
That’s why we didn’t just take you to school, to soccer, and to piano lessons. We also took you to church, to Sunday School, and to Catechism classes.
My deepest prayer is that you know and believe in your Savior Jesus—that you trust his amazing grace, the grace that saved you, protects you, and will guide you through the potholes and pitfalls of this life.
I know you are going to make some mistakes as you mature. I know that when you leave the safe confines of our home, I won’t have much control over the decisions you make. I know that you will struggle at times to figure out who you are and how you fit into this world.
I know you are going to make some choices I would not have chosen for you. Some may grieve me. Some may grieve God.
But always remember you have two fathers— one earthly and the other heavenly. We will always welcome you home with open arms. We will never stop loving you. You will never stop being our little boy.
And if you ever get confused about which one I am, I’m the loud and embarrassing one.
Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon. com.
