Finding DadSample

Let’s face it, father/son banquets suck when Dad isn’t around.  It doesn’t matter how nice your friend’s dad is or how cool of an uncle you have, nothing replaces Dad at these events.  My high school would host “Letterman Banquets” at the conclusion of every sports season where fathers and their sons would come in tandem to receive the sports award and place it on their child’s jacket.  The first letter I received was for my sophomore football season.  My coach took the letter and handed it to our assistant coach who pinned it on my jacket, gave me a weird side hug, and patted me on the shoulder as I went to sit down with my friends and their dads.  I can remember feeling equal parts hurt and angry.

This hurt and anger manifested itself in the total self-destruction of my life.  From fighting to lying, from rebelling against all authority and getting kicked out of school to hemorrhaging my family relationships, I had a dad-sized hole in my heart, and I was chasing sin to fill it.

Enter Jesus.  The hole in my heart was filled with hope.  The anger turned to amazement.  I went from feeling vulnerable to feeling valued.  Then something I never expected began to happen.  As I got closer to Jesus, I began to love my dad more.  When Jesus satisfied my longings, my hurts, and my fears, I no longer had to resent my earthly father for them.  I went from blaming him to embracing him. The journey to find Dad isn’t about loving Jesus and resenting our earthly father. It’s about loving Jesus and reconciling with our earthly father through His grace — whether that’s in person or in our spirit.

When Jesus, our Heavenly dad, changes our hearts, we’re able to change our hearts towards our earthly fathers.  That’s the secret to healing the father wound.  When we realize the forgiveness, grace, and sonship we have in Christ, we no longer hold our earthly father accountable for it.  Give yourself that freedom today.  Let go of the hurt and receive the hope.  Nothing will bring your soul more joy.