Letter to Edvard on his graduation

Dear Edvard,

Mom and I are excited to see you graduate from high school and head to college. We think you're ready and we're very proud of you. We remember the day you were born, kicking and crying and ready to take on the world. You were and are a beautiful son.

Psalm 127 says that children are a reward to parents, like arrows in the hand of a warrior. And an arrow is something you point in the right direction, then let it fly. So here are some things we'd like to say to you as we release the bow string.

In the 18 years you've been in our house, we've observed what kind of person you are. You're a fun-loving person. You make friends easily and know how to have a good time.

You're a diligent worker. After getting through the normal amount of procrastination, you can buckle down and get the work done, at school, at work, or wherever it's needed. And you do this with very little complaining.

You've been given a sharp mind. You're able to understand new things quickly and aren't scared of the abstract or the mathematical. You're an adventurous person, traveling to Bemidji to study Russian, learning to play golf when no one in your family knew a thing about it, and picking up the bass guitar and just figuring it out.

Finally, mom and I know that you're a trustworthy person. We've asked you to take on responsibilities at home, even when we're on the other side of the country, and you make it all happen.

All of these qualities are blessings that God has given you, and they will be assets as you move on to your next stage of life.

We also wanted to give you a few words from the Bible's wisdom literature for the road ahead.

First, Proverbs 13:20 says "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." We all end up imitating the people we're around, and at Grove City College you have a great opportunity to choose who you're going to hang out with. Be a friendly person, try lots of things, make lots of new friends, but also be discerning about who you become close with. Look for people who love the Lord, who pursue wisdom, and they will help you become a wise person yourself.

Second, Proverbs 12:24 days, "The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor." If you learn to work hard at your studies, whether it's Computer Science or another discipline that captures your interest, it opens up a world of possibilities. The world is hungry for capable, diligent people and they get to lead the way. But if you take it easy, just hanging out, what the Bible calls "sloth", you end up getting forced into dead-end situations. Now is the time to grow your capacity.

And finally, Ecclesiastes 12:1 says "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth." Your mom and I have shown you what it means to follow Christ. You know how God's Word is guidance for us and God's people are an encouragement to us. But now it remains for you to choose to continue in your faith and grow into a mature man of God. You have a lot of things before you, but you will do well to remember where you've come from.

We love you very much, Eddie, and we are praying for God's blessing and guidance in your life. We are so grateful that God gave you to us as our son.

Love, Mom and Dad

John Adams by David McCullough

John Adams was a leading advocate and signer of the Declaration of Independence, the author of the Massachusetts Constitution which is the world's oldest functioning written constitution, the first Vice President of the United States and the second President of the United States. I had McCullough's biography on my "to read" list for a long time, but a couple trips to Boston this spring convinced me that now was the time. Here are a few highlights for me.

Adams was a reader. He loved literature and learning, not politics and business. His Harvard education got him started, but it was the life-long practice of reading great literature that brought the depth and delight. And he read in Greek, Latin and French, putting us all to shame.

Adams was hard working and principled. His effort and integrity in his law practice prepared him to serve at the first and second Continental Congresses, then as an emissary to France, Holland and England during the Revolutionary War. His love of farming, combined with copious letter writing, allowed him to remain productive and content for decades after his political career was over.

Adams was immensely blessed by his wife Abigail. She was his secret weapon of wisdom, of sanity, of frugality, of humanity. How he ever lived apart from her for multiple years while in Europe is a mystery to me, but his heart was always drawn to her. She was a Proverbs 31 woman and he reaped the benefit.

Adams was feisty yet forgiving. He clashed with Benjamin Franklin in Paris and Thomas Jefferson back in the States, but rose above the animosity to get essential work done. His reconciliation with Jefferson in their later years is a beautiful story of two very different men treasuring their unique partnership in the founding of our country.

Adams was a Christian man. His faith in God helped him see the evils of slavery, the sure foundation of the rights of man, and the foolishness of the secular French mob. The Word of God, especially the Psalms, gave him delight as his body declined.

Adams was a true patriot. He avoided the bitter politics that broke out quickly after our nation's founding and has continued unabated to this day. He may have been a bit naïve, but he was not selfish. He loved his country and the principles of liberty that been birthed in his lifetime.

The biography of John Adams makes me proud to be an American.