Grandchildren are the crown of old men,
And the glory of sons is their fathers.
The Tues/Fri DCC team thought he wasn't getting it. One of those guys who would go through 'The Quest for Authentic Manhood' class without taking action to deal with wounds from his past (i.e.: absent father). We doubted he would create a plan for his future. Didn't seem open to following Jesus.
He got a letter from his dad and wanted us to read it. He had written his mom about what he was learning and plans he had to become a real man. At the bottom he asked if she would talk to dad about going fishing for a day, or possibly a weekend when he made parole.
Dad collected the mail that day, read the letter, and penned this reply.
Hi Son,
There are some things I want to say to you that should of been said a long time ago. I'm sorry for all the times I hurt you in any way. Please forgive me, I hope you can, but if you can't I understand.
I don't know why a man can't say I love you. I guess it's pride, or maybe they think it's sissified or queer, I don't know. But I want you to know I love you. You're my SON. I thank God all the time for giving you and Harley to Mops and me. I just wish I knew what I know now when you were a kid. You would not only be my son you would be my friend.
God gave you to me and God gave me to you. I want you to be proud of me and I want you to know that I've always been proud of you.
I feel like all I done was give you a place to live. I never tried to teach you right from wrong or tried to be your friend. I sometimes feel like I never considered you as a person or tried to get to know you. I wish I could start all over!
To me you'll always be my Son. And I am well pleased of the man you're becoming.
I love you
Mops loves you
Bradly loves you
God loves you
- Pop
II Cor 5:17 (Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!)
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A bunch of tough guys were choking back tears as we read this aloud. A few commented they would love a letter from their dad.
The glory of sons is their father. The proverb proved true last Tuesday.
