Pay Tribute

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Writing can be freeing. God began to prod me to write a blessing to my dad. I had learned over the years that my father had never heard the words “I love you” from his own alcoholic father. He had grown up dirt poor, so he also had a huge fear of failure that drove him to workaholism. I never made excuses for Dad, but I did seek to understand him and to see him from God’s point of view.

At Christmas one year I knew it was time to write the blessing. But where do you start when there are so many painful memories and so few good ones? So I prayed, God, help me write something to Dad so that he will know I love him, but more important that he will know you love him. Let him see that your love can absorb his pain.

As I wrote the tribute, I could see how some of my best traits were ones God had redeemed out of darkness into the light. Because I grew up never knowing when Dad would rage, it was as if I lived my life on alert.

Because God redeemed that fear, it turned into an innate ability to read people and sense how they are feeling. Because I grew up mediating between Dad and everyone in our family, I have the ability to mediate now, which is a handy skill for a leader! But my favorite trait that God redeemed is the ability to see good in a bad situation.

To start writing a tribute to someone who hurt you, look at your own life. What are some positives in your character that resulted from the pain of your growing-up years? They are there; pray and ask God to reveal them. Then pick up a pen, and write your way to freedom.

The tribute may not only free you, but it may free those you love from the bondage of their sin.