The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Oops (01/14/10)
We can't pick our parents. A more profound statement has never been uttered.

My father and I shared a "love-hate" relationship at best-and a downright lousy one at its worst. Often it ebbed and flowed like an out-of-control roller coaster. Had I asked his opinion, more than likely he would have muttered, "What's wrong? Your itty, bitty feelings get hurt?" For obvious reasons, I never asked.

My father was not a kind man. Nor was he all warm and fuzzy. Through the grace of God and His gracious healing, I can admit to knowing my dad loved me. This has been a long time coming as I've realized that he did the best he could with what he had to work with. In his defense, we are all a product of our environment and if I were to explore the family dynamics that he grew up with, I'd guess the pattern was set many generations ago. It doesn't excuse his actions (or inaction) but has helped me mend and understand.

Dad didn't hug much and we shared no noisy, squishy kisses. He didn't gaze at me with pride during band concerts or brag about my amazing talents on the ball field. Most attempts to get noticed were often rebuffed and if I wanted any attention, it had to be on his terms. To that end, I would beg to go with him when he went places just so I could be near him. He seemed to enjoy showing me off in public (I was kind of a cute little girl) but there was a price to pay. Invariably we'd run into someone he knew...

"Hey, Garland, how ya doin? Who's this little darling?"

My dad would glance down at me, cigar clenched in his teeth, and reply, "Oh, this is our 'Oops'. She's the one we didn't expect, the little mistake..." They'd share a chuckle and move on to more interesting topics. This scenario repeated itself many times and after a while, I quit asking to go anywhere with Daddy.

I grew up and battled through the teenage years while Dad and I drifted further apart. We never managed to see eye-to-eye on most things and were unable to subscribe to the theory of "agreeing to disagree". Our explosive interchanges never lead to violence, however, the emotional scars ran deep. It seemed I could do nothing right in his eyes and was always wrong. Even so, I found myself going back for more. A glutton for punishment? Perhaps, but negative attention is sometimes better than none at all...

Marriage to an unemotionally available man at an early age seems so cliché but that's what happened. Dad disagreed with it and threatened to disown me. Spurred on by getting a rise out of him, I forged ahead and paid dearly for my bad choice. A second marriage opportunity found me trying to convince him I knew what I was doing. Wrong again.

Eventually, Dad became ill and crotchety-big surprise. My disdain turned to pity and our roles reversed. Now I was the caretaker he never was, reaping his wrath when he felt I wasn't doing enough.

I attempted to talk to him about Jesus as he lay close to death, unable to speak due to a major stroke. I told him that all he had to do was ask forgiveness for the wrong he had done and Jesus would be his savior. As he growled in alarm, eyes flashing at the thought of EVER being wrong about ANYTHING, I feared I would kill him in my attempts to get him saved. He passed away shortly after that, leaving me to wonder if he had ever accepted Christ.

My life floundered on, emotional issues often bubbling to the surface, my past causing grief in my present. As a last resort, I started meeting with my pastor in an attempt to sort it all out. What looked like a hopeless cause finally started to turn around when we delved into my childhood...and God began to speak...

"My Daughter, you are not a mistake-nor are you an 'oops'. Don't you know that I have loved you always with an everlasting love that will never change? I have adopted you as my own special treasure, a masterpiece. I love you now and forever. Your Daddy."
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1165 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
The Masked Truelovers
01/23/10
It is a touching story. It reminds us that there are so many children who grow up without the kind of expressive love that they really need and deserve. I am sad to hear of your past family experiences, but happy to know that God has been with you.

And many more of us have married badly and got divorced. Fortunately for me, the second time around has been wonderful.
Allen Stark
01/24/10
Yes, many of us can relate to what you've shared. And, yes, the 2nd time around, if one has made Jesus the center of their lives, makes all the difference.
Noel Mitaxa 
01/24/10
Thank you for the honest and touching way you have taken us with you through healing that God is still growing within you.
Your title hooked me, and while your flow initially seemed to be running in a different direction, you tied it in - without closing the package. God continue to bless you and to bless others through you.
Chely Roach
01/25/10
What a heart wrenching, yet beautiful testimony you've shared. I applaud your courage to share it with us. Hopefully, it will bless you to release it publicly...
Very well written.
Carol Penhorwood 
01/26/10
I applaud your willingness to be so transparent. Finally realizing the love of my heavenly Father changed my life as well! This was written so well!
Barbara Culler 
01/26/10
Like Carol said, our heavenly father is the best Daddy there ever can be!

Really liked your story.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/26/10
I had 2 children out of wedlock. They both are amazing creatures and I know Jesus needs them for many important tasks in this world. However, I never referred to them as "mistakes", they were "Surprises!" I was the one who had made the mistake, not my kids. God bless you for sharing. It touched me in a way I can't even begin to describe. It was also great in that it was unique. Not many went down the serious path, but you traveled it with dignity.
Janice Fitzpatrick
01/26/10
How heart wrenching and beautiful at the same time. I'm so sorry you have had hurts but thank the Lord that He showed you how much you are a blessing and a "possibility"-not an "oops".
I could relate to this as well in many ways so I have to tip my hat to you in becoming, as one of the commenters put it,"Transparent." I think God heals through sharing, when it's the right time. Thank you for sharing this with us. You have a beautiful gift that can minister to others. Keep on being a blessing.
Patricia Herchenroether
01/26/10
Very touching and sad, except for the ending. So glad your eyes were opened to God's love.
Glynis Becker
01/27/10
So sad, yet no bitterness rises from the page. That in itself is a beautiful testament to God's healing power. Thank you for sharing.
Ruth Brown
01/28/10
You were chosen to tell the story dear heart.Powerful!
Wonderful scripture.
Loren T. Lowery
02/19/10
Truly great writing. Emotionally vented, yet in an almost detached way - not an easy thing to do, but you succeeded. Not the least bit mushy or self-effacing. I only have one bit of "red ink" for what it's worth. I think the following sentence could be strengthened. You wrote this: "Our explosive interchanges never lead to violence, however, the emotional scars ran deep." I would have liked to have seen it made into two separate sentences. Place a period after violence. And then begin a new sentence with However,..." But this is just my opinion. Great job!