My Dad | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: My Dad | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robert McFaddin
06/09/05
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The crowd roared as Tony scampered into the end zone for our first touchdown of the evening! It was a muggy fall evening in late September, I was a sophomore, and we were in the heart of our football season. We were a small school in a small town, but our townsfolk loved their high school football – especially their beloved hometown Tigers! I came trotting to the sidelines to high fives and slaps on the back from my teammates.

“Good blocking out there son!” our coach said as he shook my hand and slapped me on my helmet.

I got a quick drink of water and headed back onto the field for the kickoff. The referee carefully placed the pigskin on the tee and blew the whistle. Like a rushing wave we ran down the field as the ball went sailing through the air just ahead of us.

“Good job Robert!” a voice called above the din of the game. It was my dad and it sounded like he was right next to me.

After the ball carrier was crushed to the ground I turned to see where he was. Just behind the rail that separated the field from the stands I saw him. Every home game he paced back and forth as he followed the action from end zone to end zone. I think he would have walked the sidelines right next to the coach if given the chance! He and mom were there at every game – home or away. It was amazing, but I could always hear Dad calling my name, cheering me on. I chuckled to myself as I joined the defensive huddle.

You see, in any other situation my dad could barely be heard. In fact, I would often join in with my brother and mom in making fun of Dad’s small voice. It would be hard to hear what he said even if yelled from a few feet away. It wasn’t a problem during my football games though! I could be in the thick of the battle on the field and still hear him encouraging me. His voice made its way to my ears throughout the entire game. There wasn’t a game where I didn’t hear him.

It was an incredible feeling knowing my dad was there for me. He was there the night I accepted Christ as my savior. When he helped baptize me and my brother a week later, we all gasped for air as the water of the creek – made frigid by November weather - took our breath away. Even now as a husband and a dad myself, if I need him, he is here for me.

I praise God for my dad who at times was and is an incredible picture of my Heavenly Father. However, instead of being on the sidelines, God is right here with me in the trenches of life. He uses still, small voices that sometimes can be hard to hear above the din of life. Yet, in the midst of the battle here on earth I can hear Him calling to me, cheering me on.

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