Dear Jancsi

Hey J-man,

This letter has taken me a while to write.  Saying goodbye to you, your mom and your dad was really hard for all of us Longmires.  The early morning when I held you and said goodbye to you was a very special moment for me and I have felt, from that morning, that I needed to write you a letter.

Jancsi, you are such a sweet and special little boy and I know that God has great plans for you.  Watching you grow in the year we lived together was so wonderful and such a blessing.  I remember the day that I met you in the hospital.  You were so tiny and you brought so much joy to your Mommy and Daddy.  Even from that first day I could see that you had a strength of will and a strong voice to match it.  I also remember the day that we all moved in together.  You were still so little and yet such a big boy.  You and Lily became instant friends and your Mommy and I rejoiced in your companionship.  You are special, Jancsi, there are no two ways around it.

When I think about you, I think of Joshua.  Joshua was chosen by God to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land after Moses died.  Joshua was a born leader, much like you bud.  He was given a lot of responsibility and held to a standard greater than most.  The Lord called Joshua to be "strong" and "courageous."

"I will never leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 'Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.'" Joshua 1:6-8

You remind me of Joshua because you are strong and a fighter.  You are stubborn and passionate.  I can remember many times seeing your stubbornness show itself at the dinner table when you just didn't want to say "please."  No, disobedience is not the righteous way, but Jancsi that fighter in you is what makes you a leader.   That strong will that I noticed when you were born has been divinely graced upon you and the Lord wants you to use it for HIS purposes and glory!

Strength, however, is not all about power and might.  Strength in leadership is about grace, mercy, compassion and love.  You have these qualities in abundance too.  I have never seen a more loving and compassionate little boy.  You can be screaming mad one minute and lavish kisses and snuggles the next.  It is no mistake Jancsi, the Lord has given you both sides of strength.  Cultivate them both and remember that the Lord's ultimate show of leadership was dying for those he loved.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13

 I challenge you to be that kind of leader.

Courage is another big calling.  Being courageous is something that will take a choice Jancsi, and it won't always be the easy one.  Its easy to get mad when you don't get your way, but it takes courage to listen and obey.  Its easy to pass blame to a sibling, but it takes courage to own up to your mistakes.  Its easy to believe you are too young to matter, but it takes courage to not let anyone look down on you because of your age. Its easy to follow when everyone is going in one direction, but it will take courage to lead even when no one else follows.  Jancsi, its easy to be dishonest, but takes courage to walk in truth and with integrity.

Psalm 15

"Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?

Who may live on you holy mountain?

The one whose walk is blameless

who does what is righteous,

who speaks the truth from their heart;

whose tongue utters no slander,

who does no wrong to a neighbor,

and casts no slur on others;

who despises a vile person

but honors those who fear the Lord;

who keeps an oath even when it hurts;

and does not change their mind;

who lends money to the poor without interest;

who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things

will never be shaken."

Remember that courage is a choice.  It's a choice that you may not always make.  That's okay.  Learn from your mistakes and find the courage to try again.  I once heard someone say, "Courage is not living without fear.  Courage is being scared to death and doing the right thing anyway."  It's your calling bud.  Be strong, be courageous.

Jancsi, I hope to always have a part in your life, but there will be others that will impact you far more than me or Bob or Lily.  I pray that you will know how completely loved you are and that we will be praying constantly for you as you grow into a man after God's heart.  Before I go, I want to remind you of a couple of things:

Love your Mom- she is special Jancsi and loves you more than life.  Listen when you don't want to, she has a lot to teach you.  Hug her every day and remember that she wants what is best for you even when you disagree with her.  Honor her and protect her.  She is a Queen, treat her as such.

Respect your Dad- he loves you more than most and wants things you cannot even begin to imagine for you.  You will argue with him, you will disagree, and chances are you will have moments of great anger.  Respect him, he has a lifetime of wisdom to give you. Hug him often, even if it seems uncool.  The love of a father will always be a gift not had by many.  Treasure and fight for it.

Extend Grace-  You have been given a name that means Gracious.  "God is Gracious."  Grace is something undeserved but freely given.  Be gracious with your time, be gracious with your heart, be gracious with your words and be gracious with your actions.  People and circumstances won't always make you happy, be and extension of God's Grace.

And remember what the Lord says:

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

All my love to you

Bethany