Today, we celebrate a decade of Finneas Haddon Foxe Van Voorst!
God made you to win. You have dominion printed on your soul. You don't lose. When you set your mind to something, you cannot be shaken from it. You dig in your heels and push. You are not a push over. You are a pusher over. This is a very manly quality to possess if it employed for the glory of God and the good of others. The halls of faith are full of men like you -- men who did not give in, men who met opposition face to face, men who held on to the principles even to the point of death. The martyrs were all men like you -- men who valued loyalty to the Lord more than loyalty to their own lives. God has given you an ability to win and when you use it to make much of Him or to make the most of things for your neighbor, it is a HUGE blessing. No one can bless others like you. Your ELEVEN is a gift of God.
God has also, however, given you a sensitive heart. You don't like being left out. You enjoy playing with others. You'd always choose a game you don't like with people you do over a game you enjoy all by yourself. God has given you this love of company in order to keep you from living on an island. A man of your conviction could easily do away with all others and live alone with his convictions and his God without another care in the world. This would be a loyal, but lonely existence and would require you to ignore all of the verses that require another person in order to obey: love one another, forgive one another, pray for one another, help one another, etc... You love people and you like being around them.
You are a peacemaker. You are often the first to suggest a cease fire once things get heated in order to restore order. You are not a coward and you do not back down, but you do value peace enough to be the one to reach out in order to make amends. May God always give you zeal and fire for what is right in proportion to a zeal and fire for making your enemies into your friends -- not by you surrendering to them, but by showing them a better way of winsome tartness. May you win many over to the kingdom of Christ by your tenacity and your tenderness.
In addition to all of that, you are also our resident clown. You love making jokes and don't mind being the center of attention. You lead the ministry of silly walks around the house and don't mind if anyone notices in the meantime. You are not easily embarrassed. You like quoting funny lines from movies and shows and have good comedic timing. You like laughing and have an infectious laugh that often rallies others into your joy. You are a gatherer. You find it easy to rally a crowd to your side and know how to connect with others.
You like tank tops. That's all. Nothing more to say about that. Just thought it was worth mentioning.
You care about people and often worry about the lost. You feel badly for those who don't know God and who reject Him. You think about what lies in store for them and your hearts goes out to them. You care. That is a rare quality. Increasing so in our time. May God use your genuine care and concern for others to fill you with love and compassion and to rescue many who are stumbling and stubbing their toes over they know not what in the darkness.
You and Rocco are thick as thieves. Thicker, actually, because you're not thieves. You spend your days playing together and are always there for each other. You like having him as your sidekick and he looks up to you. I can't say I blame him. You're a good dude.
You always make sure to give me a hug before bed after I sing and pray with you at night. You don't like saying, "Goodbye" to anybody and always enjoy saying, "Hello!" You are friendly and a good friend. Anyone who has you for a friend finds a good thing.
You notice things. If someone gets a haircut or changes their clothes, you take note. You like the way things look a d have a good eye for what would make them look even better.
You often engage strangers in conversation. You are not shy about talking to new people or timid about bringing up hot topics. You gladly engage others and ask them about their relationship with God. You care more about that than you do looking silly or seeming awkward. You embrace it and go for it. I love that about you.
Truth be told though, I love everything about you. You are a good son and I like being your dad. I'm proud of you and the man you are growing up into. I thank God that I get to know you and spend my days with you.
I love you, my son.
Happy Birthday!
Here's to many more.
Love,
Dad
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