Eleven

Zack. I cannot believe yet another year has flown by. Eleven years. And I still remember the night you were born as if it was yesterday. It’s a time that is forever etched in the depths of my memory because in that moment, my entire world changed. My heart grew to understand a depth of love that I didn’t realize was humanly possible. And you’ve been the greatest blessing of my life since that very first moment. 

As I'm writing you this letter, you are absolutely living in what I can only hope is one of the craziest times in your life. In September of 2019, you started 5th grade. School is your jam. You love your teachers and your friends, and the academic part is a breeze for you. You are brilliant, kind, respectful, and helpful - any teachers and moms DREAM! But on March 13, 2020, part way through your fifth grade year, the world shut down. A worldwide pandemic changed everything that we knew to be normal. One day you were at school living your 'normal', and the next day, everything stopped. Schools shut down. Businesses closed their doors. People wore masks and gloves. We couldn't see our family or friends in fear of this new virus - Covid 19. You took your books home and your schooling started all on line. Your championship basketball game was canceled when I'm pretty sure that title would have been yours! Fast forward to May 3, on your 11th birthday, you're still doing school at home with no sports available for you to play. The world is closed. People are filled with fear about the future. BUT, you are more resilient then I could have ever imagined. 

In these crazy times, we've clung to each other. We've been hiking and finding parks where nobody else is. We're spending our days on the water when possible and were not going to freeze. And while the future is so incredibly uncertain, I'm certain of one thing; You will come out of this so much stronger, so much more resilient, deeply thankful for anything 'normal'. I've always known you would change the world - now I've never been more certain. But for now, we cling to each other. We cling to Jesus and the hope that he gives. We suddenly have all the time in the world to spend together. And while we definitely still laugh, there are more tears and fears then normal. But the hope is greater. The love is greater. Our God is greater. I don't know what the future will bring. I don't know how this pandemic will change the world or our hearts. But I do know that we will emerge from this fire stronger then ever before. I know that the protection of Jesus will cover us and guide us through every step. And you, my son, are the greatest blessing. The hope of the world is alive in you. The storms of life may rage, our hearts will remain at peace in the beauty and the goodness of God. "For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life." Psalm 56:13.

Zack, I'm overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness when I think about the person that you are and the person that you are becoming. You are absolutely incredible. And I'm so very proud of you.

So today, in addition to so many more prayers that I'm praying these days, I pray this over your life...

Lord, thank you for the precious gift and miracle you have blessed us with in giving us Zack. I pray that you would raise Zack up to be a Mighty Man of God and a warrior for your kingdom. That he would love and serve you and love and serve your people and honor and obey us as his parents. And Lord, that you would give us great wisdom to be parents worthy of his love, honor, obedience, and respect! God I pray that Zack would be a man of integrity and great character. That he would be strong and courageous. That he would tenaciously seek you and your will, but that his heart would be tender in the pursuit of your people. Lord, I pray that your grace and mercy would pour out over his life and that he would accept your amazing gift of forgiveness, every single day. And please work in our hearts to never take this weight of parenting lightly. Lord, we are raising your precious child. He is not ours, he is a child of the Most High God. You have created every speck of sand on the shore, every star in the sky, and know every hair on his head...he is yours. But thank you so much for giving us the amazing opportunity to be his parents and love him every day of his life. Lord I pray that you would protect him from injury, disease, and illness. Protect his heart from heartache. And Lord, please help me to be his greatest fan and encourager. This year he rocked 4th grade. And before I know it, he will be off to Jr. High...and High School! All too soon I will hear Zachariah David Pentz announced as he walks across the platform and is handed his diploma. Lord, I pray even now for Zack's future spouse. I pray that Zack would lay his life down for her as you did for your church. And on that day, on that alter, you would join them together forever in a union that only you could create. Man, it makes my heart happy to think about the day that Zack will hold his baby and gaze into its face just the way that I did eight years ago today. God, continue to shape him and form him into the Man of God that you have called him to be. 

Amen.

Zack, continue to 'let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' Matthew 5:16. 

I love you forever,

Mom