Dear H,

It’s fun watching you as you near one. When music plays and you hear the rhythm, it doesn’t really matter what it is, you grin and start to dance. They’re silly baby dances, but you have fun.

Something happens to most of us when we grow up. We stop dancing, at least in that same way.

As a baby, you get to just be and do. Yes, some things, like all people, you need to learn to do–like walking and reading. Other things, like all people, you need to learn not to do–like hitting daddy in the face and trying to steal his glasses. As you grow up, though, you’ll start to feel the pressure not to be and do but to be like others and do what they do.

We want to fit in. And we should want friends and companions, but here’s the thing, son: Don’t change who you are just to fit in with people who look, act, and dress the same as each other.

God makes each of us different. He gives us the same purpose–to love him more than you love anyone else and to love others as much as you can. But even with that shared purpose, he has given you your own personality, experiences, talents, likes, and abilities.

Let those shine. Be you.

For sure, be the best you you can be. Be a you who loves Jesus and others. But be you by dancing to the rhythm in your own heart.

Love,

Dad

It’s you, God, who paint my life on your canvas. You shaped me inside and out. You put me together, built me, while I was still in my mother’s womb. For this I praise you: You’ve made me unique, a wonder, just like all the works of your hands.

Psalms 139:13-14

Image source: Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash