Benjamin David

Well, Mom beat me to the punch. I should have posted this on his birthday, but circumstances did not allow it. So, I "borrowed" Mom's picture instead. Click on "Mom" over there to see her article on Ben. Here is my perspective (for what it's worth).

Benjamin David Erdman...
I found out the meaning of his name while listening ever so intently to my Hebrew grammar prof in my first year of beginning Hebrew at Southeastern Seminary. I have to admit, when I found out what it meant, I was absolutely elated (that's a big word for VERY EXCITED). Both of his names are Hebrew in origin, and like many Hebrew names are packed full of great meaning. "Benjamin" means "Son of the right hand," or in a more personal tone, "Son of my right hand." In the Hebrew mindset, this means, top dog of all children. Dad's right hand man. (Yeah, well, don't let that one go to your head, Ben!)
David means, "Blessed one." So, Benjamin David can be translated to mean, "Son of the right hand of the blessed one." In other words, Dad is the blessed one because Ben is his right hand man (one of four in fact - Dad has four right hands...you didn't know that? My Dad is just cool like that...that's why he could always beat up all my friends dads).
I remember taking the vote in my class. Each of us boys were sent to school with two names for our class to vote on...Benjamin and Luke. I'm glad Benjamin won (he usually wins everything anyway).

All kidding aside...it is fantastically amazing that Ben is now 20 years old. I no longer have any teenage little brothers (Andrew just turned 25 in December!). I know Mom has shared how it has affected her having four boys, and all being over 20. Life is just funny like that.

It has been such a joy to watch been grow from a boy to a young man. And most of that has happened in this last year. He has so many incredible stories to tell of how the Lord has spared his life and continues to use him in so many wonderful ways!

He survived childhood for one...and believe me, I'm not sure how, except by the grace of God.

He has survived high school away from his parents.

He survived being popular in high school (not always an easy task, but Ben handled it well).

He survived a broken nose from a high curve ball (which ended his baseball career...as he put it when he was in the ER "I'm done with baseball.")

And as most of us remember, he survived an extremely violent moped accident early in 2008. How he could have walked away from that like he did was absolutely amazing. We all praise God quite often for how he protected Ben miraculously that night. I've seen the bike, and it was like being at Ground Zero in NY. It gave me a wrench in my gut, then gave me a praise in my heart that Ben survived.

Who knows what is in store for this special guy. His heart is right with God (he took care of that in 2008!!). He has a bright future ahead of him in football. He has a relationship with a young lady who seems to truly care for him. Who knows what lies ahead? This is all I know...that our love for you, Ben, will never weaken. We will always be here for you no matter what. Thank you for teaching me so much about life. Thanks for teaching me to duck when curve balls fly at me. Thanks for convincing me to never get on a moped. Thanks for trying to teach me how to throw/kick a football (and even though I am his big brother, I am not ashamed to admit that his throw hurts to catch every single time). Thanks, Ben, for caring about living a life that is more than recognition, parties, money, and material posessions.

Keep on seeking to honor the Lord in all that you do! You mean the world to all of us! We love you so much! You do not know how much it hurt me that I could not be there to sing Happy Birthday to you this year. BUT...someday that opportunity will come!

Love you man!