An Open Letter To My Son
Jett,
I’ll never forget the moment the doctor put you in my hands. I had never seen a baby who was only a couple minutes old before and was quite convinced something was wrong with you. Your blue like skin, and conehead made you look like something from another planet! Once I was assured you were actually okay, I was overwhelmed with emotion that God would bless and trust me with the responsibility of being your father.
From that moment to this very moment the main desire of my heart has been to see you and your brothers trust Jesus as your savior and see Him formed in your life.
You’ve given me so many reasons to be proud of you son. You’ve really got what it takes!
You’re a great student.
An amazing athlete.
One of the best fantasy football players I’ve ever witnessed. 
You have a generous heart.
But all of these pale in comparison to watching you begin to follow Christ with your life. Being able to baptize you yesterday was one of the highlights of my life and I’ll never forget that moment.
Remember son that yesterday was not the finish line but the starting point. God has an amazing adventure planned for you and I want to encourage you to trust Him at every turn. Over and over again you’ll face situations where you’ll be tempted to give into fear but I pray you’ll choose faith. You’ll be temped to control but remember freedom comes in letting go. You’ll be drawn toward comfort but I pray you’ll choose sacrifice. You will feel all alone but remember God promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Your mother and I pray for you every day and I know there are hundreds of others that join with us praying for your protection and spiritual growth. I can’t wait to see what God’s going to do through you Jett.
I love you son,
dad
71 Comments:
Jett is a great kid and what an honor to get to baptize your own son. My father baptized me around Jett’s age as well. Congrats Jett and congrats Pete and Brandi!
Jessica´s last blog ..Just an update
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Jessica
6:27 am
Jett,
Yesterday was a special day you will always remember! I remember many years ago your Grandpa Graham baptizing me and not quite as many years ago (but still a lot to you) your daddy getting baptized. We pray each day that you will continue to grow in Christ and that He will guide you in making good choices as you grow up in this world. We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see the amazing things God has in store for you in the days and years ahead!
We love you – Nana and Grandad
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Nana
6:40 am
what a big day for our family.
thank you for being a dad who invests, prays, and actively lives life with our boys. i couldn’t ask for a better partner in this parenting journey.
brandiandboys´s last blog ..A Big Day…
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brandiandboys
7:05 am
Wow!
jessica´s last blog ..Born Again
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jessica
7:10 am
@Brandiandboys, It’s easy when I’m learning from a great mom like you.
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Pete Wilson
7:10 am
I am so proud of Jett! He has such a great spirit, and it was so special to witness his commitment to Christ. I am so blessed to belong to a church where my kids have such great role models. Yesterday was one the best baptism services I have ever seen at CP. I think if my husband would have realized that people were going up there spur of the moment he would have to, but im afraid that he would have made you do it instead of blake:) and he would kill me for letting you know that.
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Jenn
7:20 am
wow, that really is emotional to watch and I only know of any of you through this blog. I would have cried like a baby in person.
Congratulations to Jett and all the others who were baptized yesterday. It’s beautiful and overwhelming to watch.
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Gina
7:28 am
Great letter, proud papa!
I love that you mentioned that this step was the starting line and not the finish line.
I pray that he risks it all for Christ.
Tony York´s last blog ..Salvation – ABC to BRO
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Tony York
7:31 am
Just so incredibly awesome! I went to the night service and cried through every baptism. I too dream of seeing my sons take that step. I got to experience the joy of being baptized together with my oldest, Spencer, about 9 years ago!
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melissa irwin
7:34 am
I am so glad that I got to see this special moment. What an amazing day to celebrate this covenant b/w your son and Jesus!
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Falguni Patel
7:41 am
It was a wonderful and blessed day for us….getting to be there when our first Grandson was baptized. God was all around us and I can only imagine how you felt being able to baptize your first son. I still have tears of joy this morning. You all are in our prayers everyday….
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Laurel
7:44 am
Very beautiful, Pete!!!
Lauren Kelly´s last blog ..Do you ever?
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Lauren Kelly
7:45 am
@Tony York, can you imagine how different we would all have to parent if the true desire of our heart was that our kids risk it all for the sake of Christ?
Something for me to ponder today.
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Pete Wilson
7:48 am
Definitely beautiful! This made me cry this morning!
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Becky
7:58 am
Pete, this is just simply awesome. I can’t imagine how great that felt for you. What a tremendous blessing.
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Jason
8:03 am
What an incredible day for your family!
Alison´s last blog ..Show Us Your Life – Pet Edition
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Alison
8:06 am
what a beautiful letter! thanks for making me tear up at work, Pete
yesterday was a great day, and i’m so glad i got to be a part of 4 services with so many lives changing!
ps i love the little fist pump from Jett on the video when he came up out of the water!
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Krista
8:08 am
Tearing up a bit here. I remember watching my husband baptise our son and realizing that he didn’t belong to us, he belonged to Christ. It was a joyful albeit bittersweet moment.
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katdish
8:15 am
Only one word! Beatiful! God bless you Jett… can’t wait to see what He is going to do in your life!
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Regina
8:32 am
@Krista, the “fist pump” was not pre-approved by dad but I was so glad to see him excited!!
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Pete Wilson
8:42 am
So sweet! I am a United Methodist, and so we baptised my son when he was a baby. (He is 2 now.) However, it is such a great joy to already see him singing “Jesus loves me” and to be talking about God and Jesus and how God loves Dillon. So many times, I think about how I need to relax because God will take care of Dillon even when I can’t. Such a great example you have, Pete!
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diane
8:53 am
I’m not a parent yet, but I imagine that, perhaps only matched by giving your child away in marriage, baptizing your child would be the highlight of your parenting journey.
That’s awesome. Praise God!
Becky´s last blog ..Beware of the Grass Awn
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Becky
9:13 am
Such a sweet letter.
Jamie´s last blog ..Sick Girls
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Jamie
9:14 am
Great letter! I also loved the “fist pump”- A sign of true sportsmanship celebration.
Thank you for sharing moments of your personal family time. I enjoy reading yours and Brandi’s blogs. It is great to see how someone else with three kids handles life.
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Karen Duncan
9:19 am
That video is just awesome. Thanks for shaing such a sweet, precious moment.
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Carolyn
9:31 am
Such a wonderful day. I’m so happy for you and your family.
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britt
9:38 am
That is so awesome. And Jett is so blessed to have a father who is there for him and desires to see him on fire for christ. (I wish there were more dads out there like that) He’s got a great foundation and is going to go far.
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Shelby
9:41 am
I was at Dickson yesterday and Karen texted me and told me she’d just watched you baptize your son during communion. I was overwhelmed. The pairing of communion with baptisms was such a phenomenal idea. Maybe just me but it seems to take the spotlight off the mildly awkward logistics of indoor baptism and instead puts it on the eternal relevance. Does that make any sense at all? And the fact that the congregation couldn’t hear what you were saying, but knew what you were saying….so cool.
[Reply]
Bill Renfrew
9:42 am
stop it. I’m crying in Starbucks
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Carlos
9:42 am
Awesome!!
(okay I accidentally posted that comment on your last post which I actually didn’t read (sorry) and although I’m sure it’s a good one, this is an awesome one.)
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Heidi
9:57 am
@Bill, that makes a lot of sense.
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Pete Wilson
10:00 am
OMG!! To baptize my boy…they’d have to hold me up I’d be crying so much! Congrats again Pete:)
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MichaelHolmes
10:05 am
Ok, so I saw this yesterday on twitter, on Brandi’s blog and here… and it gives me chills each and every time. What an amazing heart your boy has. Being baptized as a baby and confirmed in high school, my process was planned and organized for me by the church. I have no complaints about that… I am grateful for my journey… but it makes me wonder at what point I would have stepped forward as Jett did had I had the opportunity. It’s an amazing thing to witness his heart.
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gitz
10:05 am
Pete, It’s like you said last night in the evening service- your goal is to make your congregation as uncomfortable as possible, in order for us to be able to choose sacrifice over comfort. May you do the same for Jett!
Christina Ludwick´s last blog ..The Patterns of This World…
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Christina Ludwick
10:06 am
That was a great moment. The whole place was full of happy tears I believe…for your son and the others that got baptized as well! Great day at Crosspoint.
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Lindsey
10:06 am
Amazing! I am going to be baptized by before the end of the year, myself. Can’t wait!
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Lori
10:07 am
wow. way to make me cry this morning
as a father of two boys (almost 3 and almost 1), i get excited to think about this day, when they will accept Christ. i can’t imagine myself any kind of articulate (more of a blubbering idiot).
i am happy for you, and this is an amazing moment. congrats! and go jett!
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mitch
10:10 am
This is so amazing. Such a beautiful moment and what an honor it is for parents to witness the faith of a young child. God is so good.
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Tiffany
10:12 am
What a special moment for you guys! That along with the other baptisms/worship time literally brought tears to my eyes. I am so glad I experienced yesterday’s service. I fall in love with God and my church every week!
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Katy M
10:12 am
I have a four getting ready to turn 5 year old and am fascinated with watching her learn about God. I love listening to her prayers, and hearing the different questions she comes up with about God. I learn so much from her and its so stinking exciting watching her get closer and closer to choosing to accept Christ for herself.
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EricaHami
10:22 am
Wow, watching yesterday this brought me to tears, and just reading this today gave me chills – what an amazing moment as a parent. I know you must be so proud and so grateful! You and Brandi are awesome parents and it reflects in each of those 3 boys! So glad to be a part of CP and to be able to witness moments like yesterday!!
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Brittany
10:31 am
What an honor. What a privilege for you to be given the opportunity to baptize your son..and also, what an honor for us to be trusted with this most tender letter from father to son. Thank you for sharing and for laying your heart on the line..what a testimony of a father’s love!
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Marissa
10:36 am
@Pete,
Yes, I have imagined it.. and in my imagination, its a church on fire where all our prayers don’t end in:
“And we pray for comfort for the so-and-so family and for traveling mercies for all those on their way home tonight.”
Maybe we have been a little too safe and comfortable to allow God’s hand to move as He wills.
Tony York´s last blog ..Salvation – ABC to BRO
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Tony York
10:39 am
Great stuff! So exciting for eveyone there!
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Lance Lockhart
10:40 am
I remember my father baptizing me. I can assure you it will later mean just as much to your son as it means to you. What a beautiful experience for the both of you
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Kelli
10:57 am
Awesome. I’m happy for the Wilson family and for Jett!
Nick´s last blog ..Trying to Find Air to Breathe Again
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Nick
11:20 am
This brought tears to my eyes. My oldest was baptized by his Daddy in September. What an amazing day for your family!
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Christie
11:28 am
This might be my favorite post of yours, Pete. May all of us at Crosspoint play helpful and hopeful roles in Jett’s new journey…
God bless you friend.
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Mpt
11:43 am
Thanks for posting this pete. It reminded me to go and hug my dad and tell him that i love him.
One of the more emotional moments i have had in the last 5 years was when my Dad told me not to long ago that when i was only 4 days old he took me outside and held me up to God and dedicated me to him on that day. He told me this the day I started my internship and a new ministry. To know that for 22 years my Dad and Mom have been working, praying, and guiding me but also giving me to the Lord was pretty overwhelming and powerful.
I will never forget that moment and I am sure your son will never forget the moment you shared yesterday.
Kyle Reed´s last blog ..Monday Morning High Five: Five Bible Games I Wish Existed
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Kyle Reed
11:55 am
Amen.
Jett, you have 2 amazing loving caring parents. And your Daddy is right, there are 100s of us who pray for you, your brothers and your Mom and Dad too. I pray that God would protect you, guide you and give you wisdom and courage for the journey. God is always there with you, and paving the way for you step by step by step.
Brunettekoala´s last blog ..Eeeeek!
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Brunettekoala
12:34 pm
This just proves why I take non-Catholics side on baptizing over the Catholics. It’s much more special this way, or at least it seems to be.
Although there are some pretty funny jokes as to why Catholics are for infant baptism, but that’s a whole other point all together.
Congrats Wilsons!
Sarah´s last blog ..Dread
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Sarah
1:16 pm
@Kyle Reed, that’s amazing!
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Pete Wilson
1:38 pm
Congratulations Pete! I know it is a special moment when you get to baptize a family member. I was able to baptize my dad.
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David Knapp
1:59 pm
I wish I could have been there. The video clip (and your letter) was awesome. I know you are very proud of Jett. CPCC will always be a part of my life. Hopefully I will see you there at a Christmas Eve service. Blessings from the mountains. Elaine
[Reply]
Elaine
2:31 pm
Pete,
It was such an amazing day yesterday. On my way to the stage for the 11:30, Jett was coming up the aisle. I grabbed him, hugged him, told him I was so proud and he said thank you. The joy that lit up his face is something I won’t soon forget.
Standing there, singing, knowing what life change was happening behind us, I got choked up each time the congregation clapped.
What a day! I know you are so proud of him and so are we!
amanda´s last blog ..here lies Fall
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amanda
4:20 pm
this gave me chills AND made me cry. God is so amazing! =]
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susan
4:58 pm
That’s awesome!! As a parent, that’s what it’s all about, right?! What a blessing-so happy for him and your family.
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Kim Harr
6:43 pm
Just so beautiful and awesome Pete! So so happy for you, Brandi and Jett!! I know God has such great things in store for that little guy!!!
Hugs and blessings~
Fran
Fran´s last blog ..After the movie….now I’m thinking!
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Fran
7:18 pm
Congrats to each of you. Awesome! I will lift you up in my prayers!
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Gina Tynes
7:34 pm
So awesome! What a tremendous message to your son. Thanks for sharing such a special moment. It reminded me of the awesome privilege I had to baptize my daughter. Blessings, bro.
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Randy Kinnick
9:05 pm
Words of life spoken
By fathers over their sons
Will bear amazing fruit
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ChristianHaiku
11:17 pm
One of your best blogs, and doubt even you will forget this one. No son could ask for a better, honest dad. Play this back at Jett’s wedding…which will come sooner than you and Brandi probably think!! (Older, longer viewpoint here).
Tom´s last blog ..Thanksgiving Truly Travels
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Tom
1:22 pm
@Tom, thanks Tom. You’ve taught me a lot of these lessons over the years.
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Pete Wilson
1:40 pm
Wow. I pray and pray my husband will get to baptize our kids someday (they’re all still very young) and that I will be there to see it! Good is good!
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Abbie
2:12 pm
This was such a powerful moment. It was an honor to witness it. You and Brandi inspire me as you parent your boys… almost make me want to have kids… almost.
Jenni Catron´s last blog ..Sunday Highlights
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Jenni Catron
6:52 am
Wow Pete! What a wonderful thing for a father to get to do. How blessed you and Brandi must feel to have Jett accept Jesus in his life and be baptised. What a great set of parents you are!!
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Tracey
5:31 am
this was so beautiful.
thank you for showing me a picture of what CAN be…
alece´s last blog ..wall of thanks
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alece
11:41 am
OH MY…at first, this “letter” made me laugh-thinking you would actually tell your son about his CONE shaped head…but after that sentence..I CRIED CRIED CRIED… UGGGGG…I’m a mess on Thanksgiving Day!! THANKS PSQUARED! I’m shutting the computer off.. LOL
XOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
DEb´s last blog ..Boulevard Bolt – 2009
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DEb
1:33 pm
I say this on Brandi’s blog all the time, but as somebody who doesn’t have children yet, it is so cool to watch you guys and learn how to disciple kids. You guys do an amazing job. Thank you for being so candid.
kristiapplesauce´s last blog ..Trash
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kristiapplesauce
10:58 pm
Pete,
I was deeply touched by your letter to your son about this important event in his life. He and the rest of your children are fortunate to have a father like you.
Continue in your work.
JP
JP´s last blog ..Modern Family – A Comedy Worth Watching
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JP
9:12 am
Pete -
It’s so easy in the midst of writing everything else to forget that it’s critical to write letters like this to our kid. A million people can write a book, but no one can write a dad’s letter to my daughters except me. Andy Stanley convicted me of that at catalyst two years ago. And you just reminded me too.
Thanks for that
Jon
[Reply]
Jon Acuff
5:57 am
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