Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. — Joshua 1:9

Being his father has produced lots of “proud” moments.

“Is that your son?” they would ask when he stepped into the batter’s box.

Yes, that’s my boy. 

“Is that your son?’ they would ask after he volunteered to lead the prayer.

Yes, that’s my boy. 

Every time someone would compliment him, I’d swell up a little more. Best of all was when they said he looked like me. “I can tell who you belong to!” they would say when they saw him standing next to me.

Yes, that’s my boy. 

But I’ve never been prouder of him than I am today. These other moments pale in comparison.

As I noted at AK’s baptism, prior to the birth of each of our children, Sunny and I selected a text that best represented our prayers and hopes for that child. Joshua’s verse was Joshua 1:9. We lifted up countless prayers that he would be strong and courageous, filled with the knowledge of God’s abiding presence. I can still hear his little three-year-old voice praying that God would make him, “strong and courageous and never afraid.”

Joshua, today you made the most courageous decision of your life: to make the story of Jesus your own story. You are strong and you make me proud. May the Lord your God go with you wherever you go.

Yes, that’s my boy. 

And now, he is also my brother.