I Hated My Dad

When I was a young teen...

my dad forced me to quit competitive dance after a Ricky Martin "She Bangs" routine. Warning: don't look it up.

my dad volunteered me to accompany him during Spanish worship as a piano and guitar duo.

my dad embarrassingly challenged and tested my boyfriend.

my dad didn't care what my grades were as long as my attitude was satisfactory.

my dad expected me to do house hold chores and projects for no pay!

my dad said that if I wanted a car I had to have a job to pay for it and insurance.

my dad prayed one on one with me. It was especially terrible after we fought.

I hated my dad but he chose to love me anyway.

---

I didn't know...

how the young men or their dads saw me during the provocative dance routine.

the extreme humility and blessing that came in serving others. The Spanish speaking families in our community only had worship in their own language once a month. My dad's sight to serve and reach those in need across different cultures and languages gave me courage to do the same.

what I was worth. That boyfriend is now my husband. :) And even more, a better man because of the relationship he has with my dad.

my negative attitude was brought on by self-absorption and was eating at my soul. Philippians 2:5-11

work was more satisfying when motivated from love and respect instead of personal reward.

maintaining a steady job and paying a simple $50 car insurance payment every three months (ha!) would set a steady habit of financial freedom.

how strong my dad had to be to take my hands in prayer to the Lord.

I was wrong. My dad was right. 

---

Thank you Dad for...

saying no.

putting others before yourself.

wanting the best for me.

seeing the potential in me even when I did not.

valuing my soul more than performance.

giving freely without expecting anything in return.

teaching me how work can be rewarding to myself and others.

sharing our Father in heaven even when I refused both of you.

your tough love. Now when hard times come my way I can trust that God will use it to discipline me because He loves me. I love you Dad. Happy Father's Day.

---

" “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,     and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,     and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:6-11