My son, Jacob, turns 31 in a couple days. I want to take this space to honor him on his special day.
So our readers can gain something useful for their own character-building, I’ll share some of Jacob’s qualities; if we adopt them, we’ll be better people.
All Heart. From the time he was a little kid, Jake has always had an intensity about him, and he still has it. Whatever he does, he does it with laser focus and a lot of emotion. As an athlete (at age twelve, he ranked 24th in the nation in the floor event as a gymnast, was later an excellent high school basketball player and a college golfer) Jacob was so much fun to watch, for his parents, yes, but also for spectators in general. He graduated college with honors, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
But here’s the most impressive (and unusual) thing about his intensity quality. As he moved into a different phase in life, he applied that intensity to his relationship with God and with his family. Now a husband, father and insurance professional, he goes at his current life’s goals with the same passion that he used to apply to his student-athlete life. Many who were athletes when younger are never able to apply their lessons learned to more important pursuits, living in their past glory days but not having an equivalent current day focus and passion. I’m very impressed that Jacob has distanced himself from that trend. He still has a lot of heart. It’s just a heart for things of greater maturity and significance now.
Generosity-Driven. Who can say this? Anytime I’ve been with my son (when he was aged 26 to 30) he’s paid for everything: meals, events, gas, etc. That’s true of Jacob. And it isn’t that his income has been massive; it’s that he prepares and positions himself to be ready for opportunities to be generous. He’s slept in his car on business trips, instead of spending money on lodging, and not for any purpose but to be prepared for opportunities to be generous.
And it isn’t just money that Jake invests in others, but his time and energy, as well. And it isn’t just Jake who gives so freely of time and efforts, but his wife, Karissa, is in lock step with him in this way. The two of them are as generous as any couple I know. My wife and I – and Karissa’s parents – are very proud of the way those two live their lives. And their kids (two boys, so far) are likely to be the same kind of people, with such wonderful models as Jake and Karissa.
Magnetically Humble. Jesus said the meek’s blessing will be that they inherit the earth. The Greek word used for earth there is oikoumene, which most often refers to the inhabitants of the world, people. The way it works is that humility (meekness) is such an attractive quality that people are drawn to those who have it. Thus, meek, humble people inherit a following in a very organic process.
I see people gravitate toward Jacob, and I believe it’s because of the humility with which he carries himself through life. It’s probably how he won the heart of his beautiful wife. 😊
These are three of the qualities I celebrate in Jacob on his 31st birthday. And may we all absorb his example and be better people because of him.
Happy Birthday, Jacob!!!
