To my Son the Soldier, on your Graduation

From the moment you were born you managed to steal everyone’s hearts with your cuteness, your sense of humor and unbelievably loving and caring nature.  When you were little, you had the ability to make me laugh, cry, scream all at the same time.  Come to think of it… you still have that effect on me!!!

As you grew up we realized nothing came easy for you.  You had to work really, really hard.  But from the smallest days you had the “never say die” attitude.  The more you failed the more you tried, and the more you worked hard.  Your breakthrough came when you gave your life to the Lord; you went crazy for HIM.  The fire in your heart was so alive, it challenged us so much.  And then suddenly, the student who was in the bottom 10 of the class went up to be the top 10 in school.

You realized you are no longer a grasshopper but an eagle.  You took every challenge as an opportunity to ride on the wind of the Holy Spirit.  One day, I discovered your secret written on the first page of your Bible; “to know you, as you know me”…  Sometimes I wish I had the same passion, the same fire that you have for God.  Putting God before everything else comes naturally to you, and you have no idea how it had challenged and pushed me to do the same in my own life.

It became more and more clear to us that the hand of God is upon your life.  When you enlisted in the Army I was concerned that you would lose your journey with God.  I was wrong; your journey became stronger and your thirst for HIS presence became greater.   In the midst of all that was going on around you, your heart was lost in the Lord.  In HIS faithfulness, HE made HIS strength yours; you went from Bronze to Gold in IPPT.

When everything seemed going for you, the “crisis” came.  I have always thought the biggest crisis a person could go through is when a problem appears to be bigger than God.  So we prayed for you; that you will not to lose HIM in the midst the crisis.  That Sunday, just before leaving for camp I heard you singing

“Precious Jesus, I am ready to surrender every care.

Take my hand now; lead me closer, Lord I need to meet you there”.

That moment I knew the “crisis” is over; HE has visited you in your Ground Zero.

God’s heart and hand are moved by men and women like you, who choose to live in the centre of HIS will, surrendered to HIM.  I knew you had moved HIS heart when I saw the SMS from you saying that your arm is almost back to normal, that you will take part in route march and the Passing out Parade.  

When SAF presents you guys as "Trained Soldiers" I am sure God will point you out and shout from Heaven “that guy over there, he is my Son; he makes me proud”.  As you go forward remember HE is your strength, your rock and your King who took your place so that you could walk free.

So now it is your turn soldier; Go, Live for HIM and make HIM proud!