To My Firstborn,
My beloved elder son Caleb Brandon
Today you reach a milestone, a momentous point in life
Today you turn twenty-one and step out from the age of minor
Age 21. The threshold of adulthood in Singapore. Now you can vote in national elections―a citizen’s right and responsibility that you’ve been looking forward to. And in the years ahead, your choice may not always match mine but that’s your privilege in a free country blessed by God. And just as I respect your decision to not turn today into a large group celebration, I aim to listen to your views as I hope you will do mine; share my thoughts with you in the expectation of reciprocity. Next to God I will be your strongest supporter (until your eventual marriage after which this role should belong to your wife), always rooting for you to fulfil His perfect plan and purpose for you. For therein lies the only reason and meaning for our lives on earth―a brief sojourn preceding the potential and promise of a glorious eternal life anchored in our Lord Jesus Christ.
*
A Mother’s Heart
Within the two decades that you’ve lived, you’ve experienced both joys and pains. I could wish that you’d been spared the harsh parts but I know that hard times throw up valuable lessons and shape our character, usually for the better. And if we allow our hearts to remain tender to our Creator no matter what circumstances we’re in, He is always close to the broken-hearted and humble, a rock solid Source of Strength and Encouragement.
One thing that I am so thankful for—as your life becomes increasingly independent from mine, as it should be (I’ll ensure the apron strings are cleanly cut with no ungodly soul ties remaining)—I can always pray for you and know that God Almighty listens. His love for you far surpasses mine, and He is the Faithful and Reliable Refuge whom you can and should always turn to, whether concerning major or small issues. I ask that He keeps you ever zealous for righteousness and compassionate towards the needy and weak. I pray that He delivers you from evil and temptation daily. I ask that He provides for you and guides you each day. I desire that He pours out His favour upon you and shines His face on you. I pray that He grants you wisdom beyond your age, and gives you understanding, revelation and a spirit of excellence.
Among the abundance of gifts that our Heavenly Father has blessed me with, you rank right up there with your brother Joshua Jared in the top tier that’s marked Precious. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.” -Psalm 127:3-5
CALEB
The LORD said: “Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it” -Numbers 14:24
Caleb has strength of mind and courage, displaying a right character and attitude toward God and His Word, having unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.
BRANDON
Fervent; One of Authority; ‘From the Beacon Hill’. “You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden…Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy and noble deeds and recognise and glorify your Heavenly Father.” -Matthew 5:14,16
21st Birthday Meals
Wagyu Beef Rosti with melted cheese, poached egg, bacon, tomatoes and sour cream 🙂
Black Truffle Capellini
Peking Duck @ Imperial Treasure
*
A Mother’s Security
*
A Mother’s Prayer
May you always heed the divine counsel of Father God who cares for you and calls you His child
* “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’” -Job 28:28
* “Get wisdom! For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing. And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation).” -Proverbs 4:7
* “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent [or give in to them].” -Proverbs 1:10-19
* “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night.” -Psalm 1:1-2
Personalised Blessing for My Son
“Caleb Brandon, may the LORD Almighty fill you with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship. May your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. May you be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything you do shall prosper [and come to maturity].” -Exodus 31:3, Psalm 1:3, Colossians 4:6
*
Find Us Faithful – Steve Green (Much older but still faithfully pointing all to Jesus)
Lyrics/Music: Jon Mohr
We’re pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who’ve gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who’ve gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives
CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we’ve left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Carol Foo 珍 ALIVE & KICKING! 