For his 7th birthday, Jacob Abedini wanted nothing more than to have his father celebrate his birthday with him, and he even sent his father a personal invitation for his party at home. But his father Pastor Saeed is sadly locked up in Iran because of his Christian faith.
To make up for missing his son's birthday, Pastor Saeed wrote a touching yet heartbreaking letter to Jacob, explaining that "my chains are keeping me from you." He passed the letter on to one of his family members when they visited him in prison, according to the American Center for Law and Justice.
In the letter, Pastor Saeed repeatedly told his son how much he is loved, not only by his family members but by God.
"I want you to know that although I might NOT BE THERE and you might feel my absence, there is One who always IS," he wrote. "One who is always there with you and who can meet all of your needs under any condition. I might not be there on your birthday and that breaks my heart as your father. But I know the One who is there on your birthday who is there for you and cares for you more than anyone could imagine. HE IS THERE with you and His name is I AM WHO I AM."
Pastor Saeed told his son to keep his chin high and have faith, since there are many others who are going through the same situation they are facing now. There are times, he explained, when people question God because they do not feel His presence, but Pastor Saeed reminded his son that God is always there with him.
"They are wondering where is God in all of this. But I want you to remember that despite what you feel, He is always there with you," he said.
For his son's birthday, Pastor Saeed wants Jacob to invite Jesus Christ into his heart, the same way Jacob invited his father to his party. "So happy birthday to my big boy and my hero, Jacob Cyrus Abedini. Thank you for standing strong with me in this battle for the Glory of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," he finished the letter, signing it off with "Your proud Dad, Saeed."
