[on the morn of our son's 13th birthday]

We've had the absolute joy and privilege of loving this guy for 13 years.

Just look at him.
Look at that light in his eyes.
As I've said before, he could not be more aptly named.
His name, Lucas, means "bringer of light."
That's exactly what he is.

This guy is joyful.
And he just can't keep it to himself.
Joy is meant to be shared, you know.
He's confident and comfortable in his own skin.
He doesn't care at all what people think of him.
This, of course, may mean that he dances his way through the parking lot of the grocery store.
Or, when realizing he has no napkin in the van during our weekly mother-son donut run,
he eats his powder sugar-covered raspberry-filled bismark while hanging out the passenger window of the van, his mouth covered in a powdery white beard and mustache.
He's so much "un"like me.
But, I've learned that's good.
Because when I'm with Luke,
I know I'm going to be stretched out of my comfort zone.
I know I'm going to smile a whole lot and
laugh deeply and break into some crazy rendition of a song.
And when we're done,
look at each other awkwardly and declare,
"We be fun!"

This child of mine, my third-born son,
is the epitome of "people person."
Coupled with his seemingly effortless comedy,
he's one of those rare individuals
who has an uncanny ability to put people of all ages at ease.
He's just as apt to be engrossed in a conversation with an adult as with a fellow buddy.
He loves deeply and truly cares for the people around him.

But on top of that,
he thinks deeply about big stuff.
Real stuff.
For while he talks---a lot---
he also takes in a lot.
He really hears.
And the truths that have been planted in his heart since birth
have begun to take root and grow.
It's more than just head knowledge---
the Bringer of Light is conforming his heart to His
and transforming his mind.
Luke is growing in his desire to walk in obedience to Jesus;
to live in submission to His Word.
He's learning to love Him and know Him and want Him.

Love for people,
love for God,
all rolled up into this beautiful package we're blessed to call "son."
On this, his 13th birthday,
I'm filled with joy and thankfulness,
eager expectation and hope,
and faith and trust that our Father God is faithful
and is able to keep and guard that which I've entrusted to Him.
He is going to complete the work He began in Luke,
and as his mom, I'm over-the-top blessed to watch the continuing story unfold.

We love you with all our hearts, Lucas Jon.
Happy 13th Birthday!  XOXO