I'm going to post a picture of my god son, Noah Lee Wilbanks, and he is two weeks old.
Now, before anyone gets all whatever, I am not Catholic...god children are a big deal in the African American culture and that it is just a part of me now.
So anyway, he is a precious boy...
When I sent the baby gifts down to Alabama, I wanted to do something special, so I thought of writing the baby a letter. I wasn't sure if it was dumb or anything, but his parents and grands were so moved by it, they wrote me that it will be read at his dedication.
Here is the letter and his gorgeous pic...
February 5, 2007
Dear Noah,
This letter is being written to you while you are safe and warm in the nesting place God prepared for you. In this place of nourishment and security, you are free from worry and concern, and without understanding or awareness that you are a blessed child…a child of destiny.
How can I say this with certainty?! Because I know from whence you came, son. I know your parents and grandparents…I knew your great grandparents and I know the God they committed to serve. I know their level of consecration and the strength of their integrity, which will be passed, as one would a torch, to YOU.
It is a tremendous heritage of Kingdom service that you are born into, Noah. I do not believe in coincidence nor do I believe it is by ‘chance’ that you are here in this family surrounded by such a great influence for right. Consequently, as fourth generation Apostolic on your momma’s side and fifth generation on your daddy’s, you will come into this world knowing the Way of true holiness. This Word will not be thrust upon you with sorrow, dread or out of a sense of duty. No, the Word will be instilled in you by parents who love the Way.
Your momma is a godly woman, having received a love for the holiness of God from her momma, who developed a life of prayer by the shining example of her momma. Because of this, you will be trained in the things you should know with such grace and love that when you are old and gray, you will not even think about departing from them.
Likewise, your daddy received a love for the Word and true ministry from his daddy. Though not a preacher himself, your great grandfather Wilbanks reared sons who are Kingdom minded and ministers of the gospel, having received this Word from his daddy, a preacher…your great great granddaddy Noah.
It is my prayer that your parents remind you often of your heritage of faith and service. You see, son…none of us are where we are today because we are cute and cuddly and have it all together. We are here because someone before us made a conscious decision to follow a path that often seems less traveled, but really is not. There are millions upon millions of people who believe the Word and teach and live the same gospel you will be taught.
This decision to follow the old path was often met with great sacrifice of finance, time and effort, and your parents are true examples of this. Bright, attractive and talented, they could be doing many other things which would bring them prosperity and things, however, they learned early in life that ‘having it all’ can never bring the true peace and contentment that Kingdom service will bring. ’Things’ perish with the using, son, but that which we do for the sake of Christ will remain forever.
So, as an innocent bystander, it is with a glad heart that I welcome you into this realm of service and ministry. It is a glorious calling and privilege presented to you to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before. May you receive this with joy and a heartfelt desire to do great things for God.
You are loved,
Auntie Barb