Thump to the Back of the Head #1

Ya know, with some of us the good Lord takes a subtle approach. Then there are those of us who are so hard headed that we need a not so gentle thump on the back of the head with a 2x4. Now, in case you're a little fuzzy on lumber terminology, that is a piece of lumber 2 inches thick and 4 inches wide. Makes a dandy club when cut to the right length.

So, here I am in Houston livin' it up. The project manager for the company I worked for invited me to his church. It was a casual invitation, and I thought about it. What I missed entirely was that the Sunday I agreed to go was also Father's Day. This was June 18th, 2000.

So, in my blissful ignorance (which is strange cause I remembered to call Dad) I went to church that Sunday. Oh boy. The sermon (you guessed it) was about fatherhood and recognizing the fathers in the congregation. The whole sermon I was squirming in my seat thinking about the abortion. I was being beaten up one side and down the other. Then, to top it all off, the preacher asked all the fathers in the congregation to stand and be recognized. Major deer-in-the-headlights moment. I didn't know what to do. Ultimately, I just sat there and suffered.

Finally, the service was over. Man, I could not get out of there fast enough. I all but ran for my truck. I wound up calling my sister Colleen on the way home and dumping on her. She was very understanding and supportive, and told me something that has stuck with me since. She said that since I had done this, I would have that much more love for my children when they came.

Lots to ponder, guilt to deal with, being convicted soundly, and not wanting to step foot in another church EVER again. That was Father's Day 2000 for me, and officially the first major thump in a series that changed the course of my walk back towards the Lord and his everlasting grace.