Dad, Where Are You?
posted by on 06/20/09
“The boy teased and picked on his classmate endlessly! He knew just what would make him mad. He knew what name to call him to irritate him the most and said it often. He was merciless, loud and rude. Finally the classmate ran into the restroom crying and wouldn’t come out.” This was the prayer request a friend of mine shared as our team gathered for prayer meeting one night while I was in Oklahoma. The offender was only 10 or 11. Why would he want to be such a bully? How could he be so resistant and hard when my fellow teacher tried to talk to him? Whatever she said met a brick wall; until she asked him one question. He showed no sign of caring; until she asked him one question. This boy seemed like a problem and I viewed him as a hopeless hindrance to our work until I heard his response to this one question. He had glared at her and everything she said seemed to go in one ear and out the other. But then she asked, “Where is your dad?” Immediately the hardness melted and he burst into tears. It seemed rather like an out-of-the-blue question to me as my friend continued the story behind her prayer request. But that was the question that cut through the tough front he was putting up and revealed the pain in his heart. It revealed the confusion of a young man who lacked the influence and example he needed from his Dad. No, he had no excuse for his actions, but I could see that it was deep hurt that contributed to the hardness of this young boy and it gave me a whole new love and desire to reach out to the “problem kids” that I so easily judge.
As we prayed together for him I couldn’t help but think how easily I take my Dad for granted when so many other 
families are being ripped apart. I would like to take the chance as it comes up to Father’s day to send a message first to those of you who can’t get to know your dad: God can be your father because God tells us in 2 Cor. 6:17 & 18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2nd: When your dad does something fatherly, thank him for it. And last of all: Dads, never forget that your role is important and worth the sacrifice that it takes to do right.
Thank you for this touching story, Esther. I am so grateful for Dad. Thank you, Dad, for being a godly leader in our home. God bless you! Happy Father’s Day!
I sure wish I could have been home for Father’s day; but I’ll have to be content with Skype.
Thank you Dad for everything you’ve taught me and taking the time to love and understand me. You’re the best dad in the world!
Amen!
May we never take for granted what we have been so graciously given!
Those without their dads in their lives are heavily over-looked in certain circles, and most especially on Father’s Day. Thank you for pointing this out and pointing to the One Who is the “Father of the fatherless”.
I have to admit that I didn’t realize until later in the week that this Sunday was Father’s Day but I don’t think I would have done things much differently had I known. I remember that despite invitations to spend the day in some other pretty interesting places (or extending last week’s vacation in Taoyuan), I enjoyed the service at my church in the morning and resting in the afternoon. Simply honoring the Lord on His day is a habit that I’ve never regretted having. I have it because of your rock-solid example Dad! Thank you for keeping before us the challenge to ‘go where no man has ever gone before’ in our relationship with our Heavenly Father as it relates to the daily disciplines of those who follow Christ together.