I figure this day, the day my daddy became a father was a great day to share this.
Before reading this post. Please listen to this amazing song.
Over the course of the past year or so, I have been learning and growing as it relates to children. I have never been very fond of children. The World Race began to change how I thought about and interacted with them. I read that my Savior loved children, and I am to be like Him. He said in Matthew 18:1-19:30:
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.”
I began to overcome most of my issues towards children. I began to just love them.
After the race, I was still apprehensive about children. I was able to tolerate them and even volunteered to teach a VBS class at my church. However, I still did not want to have any of my own. That was for sure. I had decided to just love God’s children, and not have my own. That was until a few days ago.
The house I live in here at CGA has six of us men living together. Every Tuesday we get together and have a house night. We cook and eat together, then have a time of testimony. I gave my testimony. Now, part of my testimony includes some of my father’s testimony. Without his salvation I may not have been saved myself. I’m not saying my dad is perfect, but I feel everything he has done for our family and for me has been, in a way, perfect. He has been an example, a teacher and a strong supporter. I have learned how to be a father, due to the way he has portrayed our Heavenly Father to me.
After giving my testimony, the men decided to pray for me and speak words of affirmation and life over me. They each gave such encouragement and I was filled with love. Then John started speaking. From the first word he gave me, I was no longer filled, but overflowing with the love of my Father. He said, “I have a word for you and it is this, FATHER…” I never wanted to be a father until that moment. Emotion ran from me like the water over Victoria Falls.
I want to be a father. Like my father was for me and our Heavenly Father was for us all. Not to continue the family name or leave a legacy, but to be the best example of God I can be, and that is as a good, good father. Because it is who He is, and I want to be like Him.
