Two letters

A letter to Scott on the day of his dedication

Our little Scotty,

Today we dedicated you to Jesus (officially) at WBC. It was a really special service for us! You looked so cute (I think it was only the second time you’ve worn shoes), and you were so good. You just took it all in with your huge blue eyes and you didn’t make a peep. Then you slept through the sermon, on Mom’s lap.

The whole family was there – all your aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents – and some of Mom and Dad’s special friends. You were really spoiled with presents and cards and letters and prayers. You even got a grown-up book about Scott, the Antarctic hero, adventurer and explorer! Pastor Mike wrote you a letter that you can read when you’re older. Aunty Pam and Uncle Jack couldn’t be at the service this morning, but they prayed very specially for you on Friday night.

Our prayer for you today, our little mighty hero Scott Gideon, is that you will come to know the Lord as your Saviour, King and Friend very soon. We know that the bigness of God’s plans is unthinkable, and we are so excited to be a part of the hero journey he has mapped for you. We pray that even as a little boy you might have a heart that is strong and courageous, and yet tender to the things of God and filled with kindness toward the people he puts in your life. We pray that you will have an unshakeable desire to serve God with every part of yourself, and that you will let your Christ-light shine before a watching world.

We love you so very much!

Mom and Dad

xxx

A letter to Cam after the adventure of the swimming fountains

Dearest Cammy,

On Saturday, Aunty Coral and I took you, Meagan and Craig to Irene Mall, to play in what you called the ‘swimming fountains’. (Scotty just watched from his pram.) You loved it! J You played for ages, got sopping wet, finished Craig’s milkshake and said you’d like to come again.

I was so glad that you hadn’t allowed anything to ruin your afternoon.

Actually, a rather horrid boy teased you. Just as you caught sight of one of the jets of water and tried to ‘catch’ it, the boy would block the water, leaving you bewildered. Your Aunty Coral, who loves you enormously, went over to the boy and had a word with him... He stopped for a while, then found you again and started splashing water in your face and laughing. When I see you vulnerable and confused like that I get furious, hurt, filled with dread, and afraid. I then went up to the boy and told him to leave you alone. He did, but he went on to tease some other kids.

Because your eyes look a bit different, and because you can’t see as well as most other people, other kids might tease you. (Of course, everyone gets teased about something, at some stage, so you’re not alone.) I’m so glad you have an awesome sense of humour. I pray that it would be simply unbeatable, and that your laughter would always triumph over vulnerability and hurt. I also pray that even at this young age you would enjoy the solid bedrock of a deep, abiding sense of your priceless worth as a child of God. He has gifted you uniquely, overwhelmingly.

And another thing. I want you to understand that any kind of mocking or condescension always comes from either ignorance or insecurity. The person bullying you either just doesn’t understand your situation, or he doesn’t feel too great about himself (and pushing you down makes him feel, briefly, a bit better about himself). Either way the bully should be pitied, not feared. Try and remember that, my darling.

And remember how profoundly, how limitlessly you are loved.

Mom

xxx