He’s Honored To Be Your Dad!

How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 2 John 1:4

As he was growing up, Stan heard only harsh demands and criticisms from his father: “You’re too slow”; “You aren’t smart enough”; and “Why do you have to be so uncoordinated?” Those words stung Stan to his very core, and they never left him. Even as a young adult, he felt unlovable and worthless.

Stan’s confidence was shaken, and his sense of what it means to be a man was shrouded in confusion. He had considered finding a mentor, an older man of God, but he didn’t know if he could trust anyone enough.

One evening at a church retreat, a group of men were sitting around talking about their dads. Stan told the group that his father had been a big disappointment for him. An older man by the name of George said, “I would be honored to be your dad!” Stan tried to ignore his thoughts and feelings about the offer, but his desire to believe George was almost overwhelming.

With fear in his heart, Stan approached George to talk with him about his offer. He was prepared to insulate himself emotionally if George did not convince him that he had meant what he had said at the retreat. But when George repeated his offer, Stan instantly wanted to trust this man. Despite his fears, he asked George to start meeting with him.

From the time he began meeting with George, Stan could feel confidence and clarity building within him. He began to realize that not all men are like his dad; there are some who would accept him and not criticize him unfairly. But even more importantly, because of George’s vote of confidence, Stan believes today that God considers it an honor to be his heavenly Father. Is that what you believe?

God, thank you for using others to show me that you feel honored to be my Dad!