In LSU country, Brayden is BSU's biggest fan, and lover of all things blue and orange!
Happy 12th birthday, Brayden. And pardon me for feeling a little sentimental today. In many cultures there are special ceremonies for boys your age, and I can understand why. Somehow in the past year, you've become a young man instead of a child.
You're taller and your shoulders are broader, but you've grown in so many other ways as well. You are more responsible, more thoughtful, more caring. You are fun to be with. (Oh, and of course, you're a better ball player and are well on your way to becoming a great trumpet player!) There is never a dull moment when you are around! Best of all, you are spending time in God's Word, and it is changing you from the inside out. I see in you today the promise of the man I pray you will become.
Many years ago, before I even dreamed of you, I discovered a prayer written by General Douglas McArthur. I claimed it for your older brothers, and I claim it especially today for you. Here is an adapted version:
"Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid. One who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
"Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know that to know You is the foundation stone of knowledge.
"When you lead him to face the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge, may he learn to stand up in the storm. Here may he learn compassion for those who fail.
"Build me a son whose heart will be clear and whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to cry; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
"And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously.
"Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength through the power of Jesus working in and through him. Amen."
I am proud to be your mom, and I love you more than you can know. Have a wonderful birthday. Just stop growing up so fast!
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