Jesus said that unless we become like little children, we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Children often believe what adults complicate. They trust where we hesitate. They speak with a simple confidence that reminds us of truths we’ve allowed grief, fear, or busyness to cloud.

Birthdays are supposed to be filled with balloons, cake, and celebration.

Funerals are not.

Yet this year, my son’s tenth birthday began with a funeral.

A dear friend of our family recently passed away after a long battle with illness. She loved Jesus deeply, loved people well, and her absence was felt by everyone who gathered to remember her.

Knowing it was his birthday, we told our son he didn’t have to come. We wanted him to know it was okay to celebrate instead of grieve.

Without hesitation, he said he wanted to be there.

Not because he had to.

Because he wanted to support his friend who lost his Nana.

As parents, we were already proud of that decision. It showed a level of compassion from him that we have come to expect and frankly, take for granted.

But then something happened that none of us expected.

Toward the end of the service, the family invited anyone who wanted to share a memory to come up to the microphone and address everyone in attendance.

There was a brief silence.

Then our ten-year-old stood up.

He was the first person to walk forward.

I remember thinking, Is he really doing this?

Of course he is. I can think of other times where my son’s courage has inspired me before.

This was simply a different setting where there were people he didn’t know.

With remarkable composure he shared something simple but profound: he was thankful that she was with Jesus and that she wasn’t hurting anymore.

It wasn’t a polished speech. He didn’t display dramatic emotion.

Just the sincere hope of a child whose confidence rested in the promises of Christ.

As his parents, we were beaming with pride. We still are.

Not because he spoke publicly.

Not because he was brave enough to stand in front of a room full of grieving adults.

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