by Joey Davis
Dear Sawyer,
Tonight you fell asleep in my arms. I'm not sure of the exact time that you nodded off. I wasn't paying you the attention that I should have. After all, you were quietIy sipping your bottle and minding your own business. My attention would have disturbed you. Honestly, my thoughts were divided between a television show and studying scriptures that I would use in my sermon Sunday.
But when I looked down and noticed that in one hand was the Bible and in the other slept my only son, I couldn't help but have eternal thoughts. I wondered what you were dreaming and could your dreams be as comforting as holding you is to me.
I began to realize how much God loves both of us, and even when we sleep He protects us. I began to understand how He felt when His Son hung on a tree, and that He must love us immensely to have allowed it, because I could never allow it to happen to you. I now realize that He has great hopes for how we will live life, and will guide us as much as we will allow.
In those fleeting moments that you lay so still and contented my arms, I wondered how you would choose to serve God. I wondered what talents He would grant you and if I would be any help in developing them. I realize that, right now, pulling up on coffee tables and eating strained food without choking are your only talents, but someday...well, who knows?
If I could give you some advice about life it would go something like this...Satan doesn't have horns and a cape. He wears a smile and his lies make sense at first. You can't pick him out of a crowd, so measure everything by the truth of God's word and truth will expose him...Sin is fun: for awhile. Be careful!...Don't allow yourself to become cynical because life isn't fair. It never has been... No matter what anyone tells you. a condom doesn't protect your heart... When you begin dating, remember that the young lady you're with tonight was somebody's little girl that morning...Be educated without losing what common sense you have...Dope is for dopes...Never cry like a baby: cry like a man...If God is first in your life. you'll enjoy what is second and third much more than if you had originally made them first in your life...The world may hate you: I never will.
Son, I realize that the only things you'll know about being a man, husband, and father are what you learn from me. I hope you will always see me as a teacher. mentor. provider. and leader; but mostly as a trusted friend. I love you.
Sleep well, little man...
Daddy