Karen Kingsbury - Fifteen Minutes

To Donald: Do you feel it, how the years are picking up speed? With Kelsey into her second year of marriage and Tyler racing toward college graduation? Isn’t our Lord so faithful? Not just with our kids but in leading our family where He wants us to be. I love the sign that hangs in our kitchen: “I wasn’t born in the South, but I got here as fast as I could.” Nothing could be truer about our new home, our new life, here in Nashville. It remains so very clear that God wanted us here—not just for my writing and to be near Christian movies and music, but for our kids and even for us. I love how you’ve taken to this new season of being more active in my ministry and helping our boys bridge the gap between being teenagers and becoming young men. Now that you’re teaching again, we are both right where God wants us. Thank you for being steady and strong and good and kind. Hold my hand and walk with me through the coming seasons—the graduations and growing up and getting older. All of it’s possible with you by my side. Let’s play and laugh and sing and dance. Together we’ll watch our children take wing. The ride is breathtakingly wondrous. I pray it lasts far into our twilight years. Until then, I’ll enjoy not always knowing where I end and you begin. I love you always and forever.

To Kyle:

Kyle, you have become such an important part of our family. You are now and forevermore will be our son, the young man God planned for our daughter, the one we prayed for and talked to God about and hoped for. Your heart is beautiful in every way, Kyle: how you cherish simple moments and the way you are kind beyond words. You see the good in people and situations, and you find a way to give God the glory always. I love watching you lead Kelsey, growing alongside her in faith and life and the pursuit of your dreams. Constantly I am awed by the wisdom you demonstrate, so far beyond your years. You are an example to our boys and a picture of how a husband should love his wife. Thank you for that. Even still, I am struck by the way you look at our precious Kelsey. It’s a picture that will hang forever on the wall of my heart. You look at Kelsey as if nothing and no one else in all the world exists except her. In your eyes at that moment is the picture of what love looks like. Kyle, as God takes you from one stage to another—using that beautiful voice of yours to glorify Him and lead others to love Jesus—I pray that you always look at Kelsey the way you do today. We thank God for you, and we look forward to the beautiful seasons ahead. Love you always!

To Kelsey:

My precious daughter, I’m so happy for you and Kyle. Your dreams of acting and singing for Jesus are firmly taking shape, but it is your beautiful heart that best defines you. I’ve never known you to be so happy; time and again I point to you and Kyle as proof of God’s faithfulness. Now, as you two move into the future God has for you, as you seek to follow your dreams and shine brightly for Him in all that you do, we will be here for you both. We will pray for you, believe in you, and support you however we can. With Kyle’s ministry in music and yours in acting, there are no limits to how God will use you both. I rejoice in what He is doing in your life, Kelsey. He has used your years of struggle to make you into the deeply rooted, faithful young woman you are today. Keep trusting God; keep putting Him first. I always knew this season would come, and now it is here. Enjoy every minute, sweetheart. You will always be the light of our family, the laughter in our hearts, the one-in-a-million girl who inspired an entire series. My precious Kelsey, I pray that God will bless you mightily in the years to come, and that you will always know how He used this time in your life to draw you close to Him and to prepare you for what’s ahead. In the meantime, you’ll be in my heart every moment. I love you, sweetheart.

To Tyler:

It’s hard to believe you’re well into your third year of college, ready for the next season of challenges and adventures. Watching you on the stage, performing Les Misérables, will remain one of the highlights of my life. I can imagine your papa watching from a special spot in heaven. He’d be in the front row if he could be, right next to your dad and me. What’s incredible is how you have become such a great screenwriter while singing so beautifully from the stage. So many exciting times ahead, Ty. I can barely take it all in. I believe with all my heart that God has you right where He wants you. Learning so much about performing for Him and becoming the man He wants you to be. You are the rare guy with a most beautiful heart for God and others. Your dad and I are so proud of you, Ty. We’re proud of your talent and your compassion for people and your place in our family. And we’re proud that you are completing your college degree. However your dreams unfold, we’ll be in the front row, cheering loudest, as we watch them happen. Hold on to Jesus, son. Keep shining for Him! I love you.

To Sean:

High school is behind you now, and your dream of playing drums for a Christian artist is firmly in sight. That’s a wonderful thing, but even more wonderful is the way you’ve grown into a godly young man, a leader for your friends and an example to others. God will bless you for how you’re being faithful in the little things. He has such great plans for you. Sean, you’ve always had the best attitude, and now, even when there are hard days, you’ve kept that great attitude. Be joyful, God tells us. In our family you give us a little better picture of how that looks. On top of that, I love how much of your heart you share with us. Stay close, Sean. Remember, home is where your heart is always safe. Your dreams are right around the corner. Keep working, keep pushing, keep believing. Go to bed every night knowing you did all you could to prepare yourself for the doors God will open in the days ahead. I pray that, as you soar for the Lord, He will allow you to be a very bright light indeed. You’re a precious gift, son. I love you. Keep smiling and keep seeking God’s best.

To Josh:

Soccer was where you started when you first came home from Haiti, and soccer makes up much of your life now. I never for a minute doubted that you’d play NCAA Division I soccer, but watching it happen has been one of my greatest joys ever. I pray that as you continue to follow the Lord in soccer, He will continue to lead you so that your steps are in keeping with His. This we know: there remains for you a very real possibility that you’ll play competitive sports at the next level—the Tim Tebow of the soccer world. Even with all your athleticism, I’m most proud of your spiritual and social growth this past year. You’ve grown in heart, maturity, kindness, quiet strength, and the realization that time at home is short. God is going to use you for great things, and I believe He will put you on a public platform to do it. Stay strong in Him, and listen to His quiet whispers so you’ll know which direction to turn. I’m so proud of you, son. I’ll forever be cheering on the sidelines. Keep God first in your life. I love you always.

To EJ:

EJ, it’s hard to believe that you’re a senior in high school. I’m so glad you know just how much we love you and how deeply we believe in the great plans God has for you. I know you are a bit uncertain with new opportunities spread out before you. But I see glimpses of determination and effort that tell me that with Christ you can do anything, son. One day not too far off, you’ll be applying to colleges, thinking about the career choices ahead and the path God might be leading you down. Wherever that path takes you, keep your eyes on Jesus, and you’ll always be as full of possibility as you are today. I expect great things from you, EJ, and I know the Lord expects them, too. I’m so glad you’re in our family—always and forever. I’m praying you’ll have a strong passion to use your gifts for God as you head into your senior year. Thanks for your giving heart, EJ. I love you more than you know.