2.5

I forgot a few vital parts when writing Part Deux...

On Tuesday, I was talking to one of my Supervisors about the whole situation. I have a lot of respect for her and her opinion. She loves the Lord, and it shows in the way she lives her life. She is just a solid woman. In the midst of our conversation, she reminded me of my responsibility as a Christian. She reminded me of my responsibility to forgive my dad, to tell him that God forgives him and loves him, and my responsibility to act with grace. She told me what I didn't want to hear, but what I needed to hear.

Tuesday night, I went home and wrote a letter to my dad, that my sister would read to him on Wednesday. I sent it to a few people to have it checked. I wanted it to be honest but full of love and grace. I just wanted to tell my dad the Truth. Here is what I wrote...

Dad.
I forgive you.
You have hurt me over and over and over again. Just when I thought you couldn’t hurt me any more, you did. You continually chose yourself over your family, especially your children. You haven’t been there for me.
You rarely made an appearance at a show choir performance, you missed my 8th grade graduation speech, you didn’t stay at my high school graduation long enough to take a picture, and you got me tires instead of coming to my college graduation. Those moments meant and still mean a lot to me. They helped to make me who I am today. You missed pivotal moments in my life. You have missed me becoming me.
I forgive you.
More than that, God forgives you.
You have made countless poor decisions, but we all have. We have all screwed up. The beauty of the cross is we don’t have to bear that anymore. God sent his son, pure and holy, to die for our mess, for our shame, for our sin. Jesus died so that we could be holy, so that we could live.
It says in the Bible, “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
Dad, the God of the Universe is madly in love with you.
He loves you unconditionally, with a love that is unceasing and all encompassing.
He forgives you.
I forgive you.
-Amanda


I sent the letter to my sister and she read it to my dad on Wednesday morning.

Mid-morning on Wednesday, my brother-in-law called me. Just like my supervisor, he spoke truth that I didn't want to hear but needed to hear. He just told me the truth and let me make my own decision, much the way my supervisor and Teresa did.