guitar hero…

Happy birthday Christian. Fifteen, and I cannot imagine life without you. The blessing of God's goodness that Mom and I find in having a daughter and a son is very deep indeed. The beauty of a girl. The beauty of a boy. We know both as parents. What a gift.

And you are such a friend. It's a good and natural progression I know, but nonetheless amazing, that, almost indecipherably, for I can't pinpoint when it happened, we began to share the things that friends share as well as the things fathers and sons share. It is an important thing to me Christian, that you know, even if you were not my son, I would like hanging out with someone like you. We are men together now. It seems to get deeper with each passing year as it has with my father. It is a unique bond within the dimensions of father and son, and as I said, it amazes me.

You know, you are a guitar monger. And your guitar addiction set me to thinking today on this your fifteenth year…It's a metaphor rich with some advice for you:

First, pursue the good and diverse gifts and people of God.

From ukulele to bass, twelve string to acoustic. I'm convinced…If you could put strings on a piece of fruit you'd try and play it. There's probably nothing you couldn't play if you put your mind to it.

In your life, I hope you will pursue similar diversities. Literature and poetry capture you. As does history. And climbing things…You've always been a collector, rocks, coins…You name it. Desk drawers are still stuffed full of your less-than-cataloged collectables.

Son, God will give you gifts and hone your interests. But never lose the wonder for "other things." The interest in what other people do. The bigness of the world. Be a reader, questioner, listener. And even as you some day take up…who knows…the bagpipes…Do so with gusto and may that spill into other broad fascinations…

Second, always have a song. It has been said that the radio is the soundtrack of our lives. And isn't that the truth. Even as those Iron and Wine songs will always take us back to last summer's man trip, other songs will always remind you of your times at the Alive festival, church worship teams and other places.

You always have a song dude. I can't believe how many tunes you can play on the guitar because you have simply listened, transposed, played and played.

That's a great gift and also a great lesson. Do not lose your song. Be a singer of the song that God has given you. Plenty of things will come and try to take your lifesong, but remember what God has given you in Christ. You are a conqueror, but a happy conqueror. One who sings. Be that man. Who every time he plays the guitar it is a tangible extension of a man singing God's song from his heart. Remember what the Chris Tomlin song says,

"And I will walk with you knowing You'll see me through and sing the songs you give…"

Sing the songs Christian. Sing the songs…

And finally, stay in tune.

I'm always impressed with your ability to grab a guitar and get it in tune. I'm not sure how you do that with nothing else but the guitar, but I see you take it, pluck, turn, pluck, turn, pluck, turn. And soon. Harmony.

Need I say more? Well, I will. Stay in tune son. Be committed to the disciplines and the people who can grab you when you need it and pluck, turn, pluck, turn, until you are back in tune. God can do that gently through others, tough through discipline, always with love, but if you're his son, he will keep you in tune. So, be supple, ready…Tune often. The gifts that God can use for good, can also be used for evil. Do not allow yourself to sour and emit the disharmony of a life out of tune.

I love you son. Happy birthday. I can't wait to see what you play next. Remember, the true guitar hero is the instrument in the Redeemer's hand. May you be that hero.