Who Said It
Joey O'Connor

Joey O'Connor has been involved in youth and family ministry for over 15 years. He's a certified Grief Recovery Specialist who loves to laugh. Joey directs the Orange County (California) Grief Recovery Outreach Program. He works with people dealing with emotional losses suffered through death, divorce, and job loss. Joey also directs the Grove Center of the Arts, nurturing Christian artists creatively and spiritually.

What He Said
Pass-along Gift

As a dad, I can't describe in words how much I love my kids, but my love for them pales in comparison to how much God loves all of his children.

My daughter Ellie has a bedtime ritual. She neatly arranges four or five of her favorite stuffed animals close to her. Then she draws her down comforter tightly around her neck so that only her face is peeking out. We say our prayers, and then she asks for her daily hug (which is not the only hug of the day, but the last one). Sometimes I'll softly brush my fingers across her forehead and softly whisper to her, "Who are you to me?"

Ellie knows the answer. "I'm your beloved."

"That's right, sweetheart … you're my beloved."

My heart's desire is that my children will grow up knowing they're beloved of God because they've experienced my wholehearted love, affection, and acceptance. I don't always get it right as a dad, but by allowing my heart to be beloved of God, I have a great and wonderful gift to give away.

Adapted from The Longing (Revell, 2004) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Help me, Lord, to empower my children by investing in their physical, emotional, and spiritual maturity.

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter    RSS Feed   RSS Help