My son, Jonathan Wright, graduates from high school this Friday and will receive the Star Student award. He was born on March 29, 2007, and his unique qualities and giftedness became immediately evident as a baby and young toddler. With a full head of light blonde hair that would appear “golden” in time, he was ready to take on life. At nine months of age, he was already walking, a stage when most babies are only beginning to crawl. As he sought to keep pace with his older brother, Justin, Jonathan became quite an overachiever, accomplishing tasks at young ages that baffled adults who taught him.

When he was in the second grade, he came home from school and was very sad and frustrated. We were not sure why. Soon we learned that he told his teacher that he had read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy and that she did not believe him. He was telling the truth. In fact, when I asked him to describe what he read to me, I was dumbfounded. How could a child be able to accomplish such a feat so young? Several weeks later when I saw his teacher at a school carnival, I kindly let her know that Jonathan’s story was true. Soon after, he was placed in gifted classes in his elementary school.

I taught Jonathan chess a couple of years later, and he decided to join the chess team at school. He beat nearly every person he faced. I then made the mistake of playing him a few weeks later and he beat me too! Patti and I knew God had gifted this child with rare and astonishing gifts and there was a unique plan for how these gifts would be used.

In middle school, he joined the science team and won awards for computer coding against students from private schools in Atlanta. In high school, he became a member of the academic team and began competing across North Georgia. He developed a love for music and mastered the bass, rhythm, and electric guitars in a matter of months. Then came that morning last year, as I looked at Jonathan sitting in our living room with an opened envelope in his hand. “Dad, what do you think is a good SAT score?” I paused and really didn’t know what to say. “Because I just scored a 1570.” What??!! Again, it was true.

Earlier this year, Jonathan was accepted as a student to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. God’s plan for his life is unfolding before our eyes. None of us know exactly how it will play itself out, but we know that God has given Jonathan a tender and kind heart. Perhaps Jonathan will help cure cancer or Alzheimer’s. Maybe he will be the first person to inhabit Mars. Or it could be that he is a doctor, lawyer, or professor. Whatever God uses him to do will be for the glory of Jesus Christ, the “giver of every good and perfect gift.” We are so proud of you, Jonathan! To say this is really an understatement. Continue to focus on the Giver of your gifts and trust he will lead you step by step into the future he has prepared for you. Shine at every stage of the journey that is before you. And always remember that you are loved unconditionally by your Lord, your parents, and your church family. Spread your wings, son! It’s time to fly!