"A good coach makes an athlete see what they can be, rather than what they are. The same is true of a good father." George Foreman, quoted in the current issue of Today's Christian magazine, one of eleven short quotes the author, Michael W. Michelsen, Jr., lists in a sidebar to the main article on fatherhood. Mr. Foreman also has a book, Fatherhood by George (Thomas Nelson, 2008).
Did you have a father who helped you to see your own potential? Someone who said, "You can make the team." "You'll do well in college." "You'll have a good marriage--you stick with your commitments." If you had a coach/father like that, you probably don't struggle with debilitating performance anxiety. Your father has built into you an expectation that you have the ability and persistence to succeed.
If we did not have that kind of parenting, we need to 1. grieve our losses and 2. trade fathers. After a period of mourning, we need to trade our earthly father for our Papa-God. More than anyone on earth, our Forever Father can help us see what we can be, rather than what we are.
The unfathered among us feel, and believe ourselves to be, lacking ability for the tasks set before us. I've been very aware of that in the last few weeks. Writing a memoir is one thing. I didn't think I could really do that. By grace of Papa-God, it's done. Now, I'm struggling through to believe I can publicize and promote this message God has given.
The core of the message is God is a good father, no matter what we feel or what it looks like. I need to be inspired again, and I will be. Inspired to see what I can be, by grace. By the lavish grace of a good papa. Glory.
Papa, open our eyes to who we can be, who you have made us to be. You are a good father. Thank you.
