Jonah Stewart....A Dad's Letter for His Oldest Leaving for Graduate School

Dear Jonah,

Our journey together as ‘father and son’ has come to a fork in the road.

You will truly take a step down one road in life and the future steps I will take will lead down a separate road.

Few will be the times that the roads intersect.

It makes our times together so very, very special.

It makes the memories of you and your brothers cherished in every way.

We will rarely have the chance again to enjoy each other's company, hear each other’s thoughts, have friendly disagreements or be comforted by the unspoken bond of our love.

We are family.

I hope you will always remember how deeply I love you,your brothers and your mother.

A Man of Faith

I pray you will continue to grow in your walk with the Lord.

A few months ago, I noticed when I got the Volvo back from you that the radio station was on the Christian station, WDJC.

Yesterday when I got in the car, it was on the same station.

I pray you will always look to God for strength and wisdom in your life -- and that you will always take time to be encouraged spiritually by songs which encouraged a trust in God and an appreciation for His love for us.

Proverbs 3:5-6 has been a beacon in my life when I have drifted:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and in all thy ways acknowledge Him.....and He will make thy paths straight”

A Man Who Meditates and Reflects

I hope you find verses in God’s word that speak to your own heart -- and that you commit them to memory.   

During difficult times, I have enjoyed reading from one of the first four (4) books of the New Testament (i.e., the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) as each writer focused on the life of Christ.

I encourage the habit of reading a few verses each day, and then thinking and chewing about what it tells you about Christ the man... the character of God... and what it means to you personally.

My mother used to share Psalm 23 “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want....” so often during the difficult times I have faced.

God is our Shepherd.  He is truly in control -- even in the difficult times you will one day face.

In my own life, there is rarely a day that goes by that I do not think about the promise that God gave Joshua:

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night.  And then you will have good success....”

I like to write key verses on 4 x 6 cards and commit them to memory.

The same is true for thoughts in books and articles I read.

I encourage a similar habit in a way that makes sense to you.


I Will Always Love You

The challenge is living out God’s word in the midst of life.

I hope you will always put God first in your life, and make decisions that you believe please Him and honor Him as respect for the love He has shown toward us.

I am deeply, deeply, deeply proud of you and the man you have become.

Thank you for always sharing...whether it was the car, money, or just your time and opinion.

I pray for God’s grace as you move through life.

Our paths will cross fewer and fewer times as you pursue the ambitions on your heart in the arena of Sports Business Management.

It makes us cherish each time together...and each memory.

You have been blessed to have a mother who loves the Lord, and who prays for you.

I hope you find a woman to share your love who has similar values.

I love you Jonah and will miss you from the bottom of my heart.

I am grateful for our journey together...and so proud and privileged to be your
dad.

Stay in touch with your brothers.

Call mom, Joel and Josh weekly.  

They need to hear your voice so we keep our family bond intact.

I love you, son.

Take care,

Dad