My Dad and I went to his bedroom where we could sit and talk. He lived in a double-wide mobile home, so his bedroom was a little crowded. On either side of his bed were a nightstand and chair. Across from the foot of his bed were a TV and VCR.

After a few minutes of small talk, he told me that he had all our home movies, the 8mm types, converted to VHS. I agreed we should watch them.

I saw videos of myself as a young as three years old and through the years of our growing family. I am the third of six children and the first boy, so I was prevalent in many of the videos. 

Wonderful memories came streaming back to my mind.

As I went dreamily traveling down memory lane, I felt the Holy Spirit literally move my chin to the left to look at my Dad. It was like he was in a trance. This question came to my mind: how many times over the years has my father watched these videos?

At that moment, almost like a scene out of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, I felt my heart grow in love, compassion, and mercy. My Dad was oblivious to me being in the room. Gratefully, I quietly wept in my chair for my Dad, feeling such regret at the years wasted by his abandonment and my anger and bitterness.

I resolved in my heart that I would love my earthly father as long as my Heavenly Father allowed my Dad to live. I also made a vow that I would never again allow bitterness to cause such a schism in my life.

We had seven gloriously sweet years together, including me leading my Dad to Christ.

More on that next time…

Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash