Three Unspoken Words
Theme of the Week: Buried Feelings
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: As soon as Joseph arrived, he embraced his father and wept on his shoulder for a long time (Genesis 46:29). Bonus Reading: Genesis 45:1-15
Many of our dads were raised in an era when it was "unmanly" to say "I love you" to their kids.
A. J. Foyt, the four–time winner of the Indianapolis 500, had a father, Tony, who was himself a top midget car driver, and later became one of A. J.'s mechanics. They were a team, working side by side in Gasoline Alley. But Tony couldn't bring himself to say how proud he was of his son's accomplishments. Nor could he bring himself to tell his son that he loved him, according to a Sports Illustrated feature story.
Just before Tony died in 1983, A. J. and the family were at his bedside. The doctor said, "If you have anything to say to each other, you ought to say it. I'll wait outside." After the doctor left, A. J. could barely speak. "Well, Daddy, things aren't working out like we hoped."
"I know it," said Tony.
"You have anything you want to talk about?"
"No, not really."
"I'll do what I can to try to carry on."
"I know," Tony said. "Don't worry about things."
"Are you sure you ain't got something to tell me?"
"No," replied the dying father. "I've told you everything."
—Greg Johnson & Mike Yorkey in "Daddy's Home"
My Response: Who needs to hear an expression of love from me?
Thought to Apply: Every act of love is a risk of the self.—EUGENE PETERSON (writer, Bible translator)
Adapted from "Daddy's Home" (Tyndale, 1992) by permission.
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
Thank You, Lord, for making me a complete person. Help me to embrace every part of my makeup that You created.
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