Dear Abraham (an open letter to my son),
I am writing you this blog post so that you can know about
your namesake.
In my high school years I became quite intrigued with
Abraham Lincoln. After reading
some of his speeches and learning about the difference he made in this country
I was fascinated on how this man lived.
Though he was a great leader he had his down falls in family
relationships but above all he wanted to make a difference and fix the wrongs
that he saw. Lincoln quickly
became my favorite president and inspired me to think about how my life can
make a difference in this world.
Years later as I was in college and into my graduate school
years I became fascinated by a different Abraham, the one from the book of
Genesis in the Bible. I had to write
a paper on Abraham’s sacrificial offering of his son. It was during the research of this paper that I couldn’t
stop thinking about how this man trusted God completely that he knew God would
provide for him.
Shortly after this I read the book The Road Trip that
Changed the World by Mark Sayers.
In the book he gives a clear picture on the bold step Abraham took by
leaving his home in Ur and faithfully following God out into the unknown. He writes this, “Abraham will be
educated by God in a different mode of being. God will enter into a covenantal mode with Abraham that will
flow into his ancestors, and into all areas of life. Abraham will learn to model covenantal relationship with God
in contrast to the utilitarian approach of his neighbors to their gods.”
Your mom and I named you Abraham because we pray that you
will be a man of God who lives in faith as you follow God through a covenantal
relationship with Him. That as we
watch you grow up you will become a man defined by your faith in Christ. We named you Abraham because we hope
that you will look to make a difference in this world. That you will see the problems around
you and as Abraham Lincoln did step up and affect those problems in positive
way. We hope that you will be a
man who follows your faith into the unknown.
Your middle name is Wellington because you are named after
Wellington Avenue. Wellington Ave.
has been an important street in your mother and my relationship. In college we would go on study dates
at the Caribou right by the intersection of Wellington and Clark. You were born at Illinois Masonic
Hospital which is on Wellington Ave.
Lastly and most importantly we found our church family at the corner of
Wellington and Damen.
This corner has been a home to a church for decades. It was formerly Galilee Baptist Church where
multiple members of that congregation has influenced my life. It then became New Life Community
Church-West Lakeview. It was there
that your mother and I found our family and began our marriage. It was there that we felt God calling
us to stay and live on mission in Chicago. It was there that we have met families that have become some
of our dearest friends and it is there that you will grow up.
Lastly, your family name, Bacon. Currently Bacon is popular, when I was younger it was not as
popular. We live in a time where
there is Bacon of the month clubs, bacon festivals, bacon wrapped everything,
and most importantly doughnuts with bacon on them. But you are not named after the food but after a great heritage. There aren’t many firstborn bacon men
so you have big shoes to fill.
Bacon men work hard. Your
great-grandpa Harold was an amazing man who worked hard and taught his sons to
work hard. It’s just what we do so
you too will be a hard-worker. You
will be surrounded by great Bacon men who will love and care for you. Your Grandpa Brad will shower you with
gifts of food. Your Uncle Ross
will take you to many sporting events.
Your Uncle Wesley will teach you how to use tools. Your Uncle Taylor will show you how to
be cool and genuine at the same time.
You have other amazing family members too who will shower you with love,
but most importantly you’re a Bacon now so that means you will love pizza, your
first slice of Lou Malnati’s (butter crust) is on it’s way.
Your Mother and I love you and we know that you will be an
amazing man.
Love,
Your Dad.
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