FATHER

In honor of Father’s day on Sunday, Let’s talk.

God blessed me with a wonderful father. Please read that statement again if you think I said or meant perfect. A great man (cough* Bishop Dag) said that God said to honor your father and mother not your good or perfect father and mother.

My job is to honor whether they fit the part or not.

I guess when we were younger, we felt our parents were superheroes who never made mistakes. As time progressed, we learned that they, too, were God’s children in need of his mercy on a daily basis.

Let me tell you a little about my daddy; I call my dad my daddy lol I know, I know. When I was about fourteen or fifteen, my father was relentless in teaching me how to pay my offering and tithes. I thought he was evil for trying to force me to give money from my already small lunch money. I remember he gave me $5 one day, and I gave the entire amount as my tithe. I know that’s not how it works, but I really wanted to show my father that I’d finally gotten it. I still remember where I was in church, the expression on my father’s face, and how excited I was.

I turned 16, my parents separated, and all hell broke loose. I could clearly see the flaws of my father, so I fought him. I was so convinced that I didn’t need him (I have since read the story of Jacob and Esau). I will spare you the details but it was terrible. Oh, what a rebellious 16, 17, and 18 year-old I was. I found God, or let’s say, God found me at the age of 19 and changed my life. Thank God for his mercies.

Sinning in hopes that you can expose or point out the sins of others doesn’t really fly with God. Just ask Moses. I said all that to speak to you:

To you who grew up without a dad because he chose to not stick around, I am sorry. I pray you forgive and allow God to heal your heart. I pray you get to the point where you can go and find your father and honor him. I don’t have all the answers and I will never understand how you feel but God does. Talk to HIM. Please…

And to those of you who, like me, come from a broken home and are convinced that your father is the reason; you’ve even promised never to speak to him again, please talk to God. I beg you. He is a kind God who restores our souls.

Finally, to those of you who have lost your dad, I am so sorry.

I know we like to bring up Ephesians 6:4 when discussing Ephesians 6:2-3, but is that your instruction? Everyone, including your parents, will be asked about the instructions they were given, so do your part.

God is the only perfect father and the only one who is guarantee to never fail us.

Finally, to my daddy, who is my biggest critic and cheerleader, because I know you find this lol, I am grateful that God made you my father. Because of you, I will also teach my children the significance of tithing. I love you and will always honor you.