May 22, 2019
Dear Ethan,
It is good to be writing you this morning –
4:47 a.m., to give you a little perspective on this and where it fits with your
life. Ethan Scott Childs is a legacy name, full of promise, a name to live up
to, and one to be embraced, just as you are as a person to be embraced. But,
you will grow into the name and make it your own, as I suspect you already have
to some extent. I know it’s had an effect even at this early stage of your
life, though I doubt your mother thinks it is early. More on this name thing
later.
You are born into two families that love and
cherish you. You’re the physical embodiment of a spiritual unity that took
place when your parents married each other. Your mum and dad, if you don’t mind
me using somewhat British terms for them, are quite something and I’d like to
share a little of what I know of them with you. First, regarding what you will
end up calling your parents; I bet they have an idea of what they’d like you to
call them but I think that will be determined in large part by how your speech patterns
develop, that’s been the case with my grandchildren. I was a bit overwhelmed
when it came to my own kids and didn’t really note this whole naming thing at
the time. Your grandparents will have more say in what you call them so pay
attention, that’s just the way it works. And, I can’t wait to see how that all
plays out.
I had a good feeling about your dad when I
first became aware of him through the social media outlets at the time, namely
Facebook. I spent a good amount of time with him during a Wilderness Tour the
summer before he married your mom. Everything he did confirmed my sense of the
two of them fitting well together. The most important thing for you to know
about him right now is that his love of your mom and his love of Jesus are
authentic. If he did nothing more than love your mom well, he would be doing
well indeed. But it’s the source of this love that makes him stand out. He
doesn’t seem to lose his wonder in things and people. I’m glad you’ll have him
as an example of a good man.
I’ve known your mother for considerably
longer than your dad and have been friends of her family since before she was
in Middle School. She was 12 years old when I started working with her in
Junior High Ministries and your Uncle Tyler had moved up to High School. My own
Lauren and your mom were a year apart in school but closer in age and we’ve had
a long-running gag about their names both being Lauren Elizabeth and who stole
who’s name since they are so close in age. The funny thing is now if you used
the initials from their married names they are the same, LEW. Well okay, at
least I think it’s funny. Your mom is bright and funny, kind and loving, and
determined. Get used to that last part; she will be determined for you to succeed
and be responsible, to be fun and enjoyable to be around, and more than
anything, to be loving. You are already loving. However, I suggest you start in
early on to develop the proper expressions to serenely manipulate her to soften
that determination, just a tad. Just kidding there; the two of you will have
such a bond and a tenderness toward each other that will astound people. It
will melt your dad’s heart.
I’ve had a special place in my heart for
your mom’s family; her mom and dad, brother and sister. Sometimes they make my
heart ache for joy and at times I ache out of compassion, life is not always an
easy road. Let’s talk about your Uncle Tyler, the first of your family that I
met and worked with in the church. I was a Junior High advisor at the time and
he was part of a group of standout kids. He made me laugh most times and he
always impressed me. During one of our Mission Arizona trips together I was
having a particularly difficult time and didn’t feel right about how I was
dealing with the kids. I took a quiet timeout and waited on the Lord about each
of them and this is what I said about Tyler – he possesses faith and faithfulness,
he is kind, and has the capacity to move in the greatest gift, love. I’m pretty
sure that is spot on. One of the exciting things for you about this part of the
family is your older cousin. You’ll be best of friends for life with her.
Your Aunt Emily is a treasure. I’ve believed
that since first knowing her. She has a lot to offer the world with her
kindness and her willingness to go out on a limb for others. For Emily I give
you a special charge; love her and capture her heart. It will be a great
investment that will pay dividends for both of your lives. I think this will be
a simple matter for you to undertake and the first step will be the first time
she holds you in her arms. Get after it.
Your Grandmother Gossett is quite amazing.
She is passionate and her focus is unwavering in everything she undertakes. In
case you are wondering, this is where your mom gets her determination. Your
grandfather is a determined man as well but it was your grandmother who really
planted the seed. When she sees something that needs doing and feels called to
it you’d best not get in the way cause it’ll get done with you, or without you.
The best part of this? She gets it all done and make a person smile while it’s
happening. You know you are loved and cared for when you are around her.
Grandfather
Gossett is my friend. He’s been my partner in the biggest task that I’ve had at
our church, Mission Arizona. Lots of adults came with me to help, only a few
were partners. When Uncle Tyler came back as a young adult to lead, he was a
partner. You should be seeing a theme here by now – things like this run in the
family, being partners and being kind. Scott, as I know him, leaned over during
his first organizational meeting for his initial MAZ and said, “You know, we
could build them a basketball court.” It had been a little dream of mine and we
went and did it together with about 25 others on the team. He puts his arms
around people and loves them, sees a bigger dream for them and helps them come
to believe in it. His faith, while tested, runs deep. Or rather, because it has
been tested, runs deep. He will provide another model for you to emulate.
Let’s talk about your name for a bit, Ethan
Scott Childs. Your middle name is for your Grandpa Scott. You should have seen
his face when he told me of your middle name. His heart has been touched by
this. You will, of course, share a special bond but way more than the naming
thing. It’ll help though. I’m not sure how your mum and dad decided on Ethan for
your first name but it is an excellent one. By Old Testament reckoning it means
‘strong’, ‘safe’, or ‘firm’, and ‘long-lived’ which I pray will be the case. I’ve
also seen ‘impetuous’ in there but really, isn’t it a responsibility of being a
boy to be somewhat impetuous. Just be cool with it.
The last name you have is Childs. I’m not
sure how that got into your ancestral line and a bit of geological research may
be in order at some point for you to figure that out. However, Jesus said
unless we turn and become like children we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Keep that in mind as you grow older and never let go of the childlike quality
of your faith that I know is in you now, even before birth.
I’m looking forward to meeting you someday
and hope that his letter is a blessing to you and your family.
In His grip,
jerry white
