Proverbs
27:2 says, “Let another man’s lips praise you; a stranger and not your own
mouth.” In the spirit of this verse, I’m
going to do something I’ve never done in this blog before: I’m going to share
some of the kind words that my family and friends have expressed to me. Just so you know, it makes me very
uncomfortable, vulnerable, and exposed to do this, but on my birthday, I thought it was
appropriate.
I
want to start with some words that my dad said to me in a card in 2011: “I am
extremely proud to call you my son. You
are a rare jewel. I love you very much.” My mom once wrote that I'm "a great forgiver and humble to a fault.”
After I recently wrote the blog that I titled “gallant hero”, Mom sent
these words to me in a text message: “I wish I knew how to post a comment. You are a godly, gallant man, selfless every
day.”
While
I’m on the subject of my mom, let me take a moment to publicly thank her for
what she did for me on my birthday last year.
She arranged for someone from my church to come to my work and serenade
me with the “Happy Birthday” song. I
don’t know how she did it, but she managed to do all this arranging without my
knowledge; it was a complete surprise!
That was my first birthday without my dad, and she made it very special. Thanks, Mom!
Almost a year ago now, as we
commemorated the anniversary of my dad’s unexpected homecoming to Heaven, my brother, Mark, wrote
these heartwarming words to me in a text message. He said, “I love you, Kevin. You have undertaken the impossibly
challenging task of taking care of a lot of Dad’s responsibilities, and helping
to hold Mom together, in the hardest year either of you have ever had to
face. You are getting stronger and
wiser.”
Let
me transition now to what friends have said to me. One of my best friends once wrote: “You have
always been such a wonderful friend to me.
You are a special person and I am blessed to have you in my wedding, but
more importantly in my life.” In another
card, she wrote, “Our world could certainly benefit from more people like
you!” A precious elderly lady who is
like another Grandma to me wrote this in a birthday card in 2011, “Happy to
send my wishes to an admirable young man, devoted son, and servant of
God.”
As
for coworkers, one person once stated that I am “like an angel on Earth”; and more than one colleague has dubbed me “Superman" (that's my dad's title, but I appreciate the sentiment). Recently someone on Facebook, reacting to my workplace anniversary, commented, "Kevin rocks - perfect gentleman." I’ll conclude this section of the blog with
the words of my pastor. He said in an
e-mail that I am “an amazing young man, a miracle, and a blessing to us, and so
many others.”
Can
I tell you just how incredibly awkward it is for me to compose the verbal
praises of others? These words are kind,
but they are humbling. I don’t feel
worthy of this love fest. Let’s get the
focus off of me:
I recently heard a sermon where the pastor said, without God,
his life would be a train wreck. In
fact, he went on to boldly declare, “I’m my own worst enemy without my
Savior.” I assert the same sentiments for
myself. I’m far from perfect or sinless. But I can tell you, contrary to the opinion
of some, God is not dead; Jesus is alive and well today. One reason I know this is because He changed
my life. Without Jesus, the unique God-man,
I wouldn’t be the person that I am today.
If there is anything praiseworthy about me, it’s not because of me;
ultimately it’s because of Him. I give
Him all the honor and glory!
In
conclusion, I have to share a beautiful prayer that my father e-mailed
me on my birthday back in 2012. I
couldn’t help but end my birthday blog with his eloquent words:
“Dear
Lord,
Thank
You for the blessing of Kevin. We thank
You, and praise You, for all You’ve brought him through – both miraculous
healings – and for using him as You do.
Thank You for preserving his life and helping him through so many
difficult situations. Thank You for his
kind and gentle spirit, and for his Christ-like attitude about everything. Thank You for the 31 years You’ve given him,
and that You’ve given us to enjoy his presence.
We
don’t know what You have planned for his life, but we ask that You continue to
guide, direct, energize and use him.
Help him as he finishes up school.
Guide him into the next phase of his life, in a way that he will have
absolutely no question as to the way he should go. As we dedicated Kevin to You when he was a
child, we dedicate his future to You now.”
In
Jesus’ name, amen!”
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