A Letter to My Brother

                                                    A Letter To My Brother

I’m having a difficult time writing this letter because my thoughts come so quickly and my emotions run so high when I think about our dad.  This morning I felt as though the Holy Spirit was pushing me to write it, so here goes.  I love our dad.  When I think of him I get wonderful, loving, happy, warm feelings.  He was my hero and he was my confidant.  He was funny and fun.  He had the biggest bear hugs that a person could give or receive.  We could talk for long periods of time.  Dad always did things for me.  Sometimes he did too much and sometimes he was over protective, at least to my way of thinking.  I know that he didn’t want to see me struggle or be disappointed, but that just happens in life.  You just can’t protect your children from life. It’s going to happen- to them, for them, and all around them. It’s a part of growing up.  I think dad knew that, but it didn’t stop him from doing his best to protect us and to be continually present in our lives. 

  Even though he’s gone now, I still love and appreciate our dad for so many reasons. 

     I know that he saved your life at age 8 when you fell in the lake.  He immediately dove into the lake to get you without thinking about his keys, wallet, or anyone else.  I remember his big dreamy smile the night you were born.  I watched him sacrifice for you.  He created special projects around the house and with the car so that the two of you could spend quality time together and so that you would be able to build things and make repairs yourself.  He loved you so much.  I remember the look on his face when you were little and you told him that you wanted to be just like him.  He took one last drag on that cigarette and he never smoked again.  I remember the look of pride on his face when you graduated from law school and joined the navy JAG.  His smile couldn’t be matched by a thousand suns.  You always brought him such joy and immense pride. 

     Let me tell you why I‘m writing this letter and making it public.  As you begin your new journey with the Lord, I want you to remember something.  When the disciples asked our Lord to teach them how to pray, the first two words he taught them were “Our Father”.  It occurs to me that when we pray, we get a picture of a father.  That picture depends largely on the person we knew, or didn’t know, as “daddy, dad, pop, or father”.  When children pray, “Our Father”, who do they see?  What image comes to their minds?  How do they relate to the word father? That is the only image they have to transfer onto God the Father.  How will they see our loving, faithful God?

     For us, we easily came to Christ because our perception of a father was one who was loving, kind, forgiving, a great teacher, protective, …well you know him.  But I ask myself each time I hear those words, “Who are the people envisioning when they say those words?”  Is it an absent father, or an abusive one?  Is it an unfaithful man, or one who never kept his word?  What picture do they have to transfer onto God, Our Father?

     As you embark on your  ‘Faith for Single Fathers” Ministry, I want you to know that I stand behind you.  I think that all our family, all of my friends and FB family members stand behind you.  Men fall, but it’s ok.  It’s our job as a community and as a society to help them stand back up.  I admire and respect what you are doing.  We are all praying for you.  I’ve often seen you beat yourself up when you felt that you’d made a mistake while raising your children alone.  STOP THAT.  You are amazing.  What an awesome example of fatherhood you are!  As you move forward with your single fathers breakfasts, bible studies, and your book on “What Happens When Fathers Fast”, know that we are all with you.  We are praying for you.  We are hoping for you.  Remember that when you begin to feel unworthy, that we are all unworthy, but GOD CHOSE YOU to do this work.  One day, when saying “Our Father”, many children will have a perception, a memory and a picture of a man who is a loving father whom God created, taught and ordained to be a daddy to His children.  One day, when our children begin with “Our Father”, all our children will know that God is Love. 

Be Blessed and encouraged in your –HIS work.

 Your sister, Lauren.