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The root of my testimony centers upon my “Daddy” and no I have never called him that. He grew up in our small community with his mother being the one that took him to church. He married my mother and they began to live the typical farm life. When I was nine, I witnessed my Dad and Mom give their lives to Christ. From there, it has been a lifetime walk with Christ for Dad and Mom and Dad’s 50 years of commitment to the community and the church. Not as a minister, but just a constant example of what a life for Christ is all about.

I believe it was seeing my Dad go all in for Christ and his family that led me to make my commitment to Christ 2 years later at almost 12 years of age. I think also, for me, God knew it would take my actual eyewitness of my Dad’s commitment to be a constant reminder for me in my life.

I enjoyed the typical teenage life, with all its tempations and indulged in some of them, as they would say ‘walking right up to the edge’. But I took a more serious turn in my relationship with the Lord as I headed to college, thus avoiding going over the edge. I completed college and headed back home to farm and live. I met the right woman with the right family (the inlaws) at the right time, married and had my own family. So, I have lived and worshipped at the same church along side my parents for all these years.

All this sounds idyllic, but like most charts, the more one examines, the more ups and downs and fluctuation you see. My life with the Lord has been a constant introspection, even after years of being saved and following Christ, that I have deep wonder and despair at times, that Christ would give his life for not just me, but for even me. His grace and mercy are unimagineable.

Again, I know the Lord could overcome it all, but I shudder to think at times, what I could have become, knowing myself, if I had not had that Dad’s example and making my commitment to Christ at my young age. I think I could have gone mighty low without that happening early on.

Whether coming to Christ early on or going through so much, like so many do and then experiencing salvation, God is there making the commitment to us. Thank you, Dad and thank you Jesus for all you have done for me.

In this introspective walk with the Lord, I seem to always have the burden for others and what they are going through. I try to go where led or who the Lord brings to me (he does) and attempt to provide some peace and friendship. In a way, again, make a commitment like my Dad did for himself and his family. The final point would be, that if you are a boy, man, or Dad that is reading this and have not accepted the Lord, give your life to Him. He will take it from there.

Thank you so much for taking the time and care to post your unique testimony.

I shudder to think at times, what I could have become, knowing myself, if I had not had that Dad's example

My second husband, the one in my story, had been abandoned by his father when he was very young. He was raised by a step-dad who was completely different in appearance and interests. I encouraged my husband to look up and try to contact his dad, to try to heal those deep wounds of rejection and abandonment. When he did his birth father rejected him all over again. I was aghast at such lack of parental feeling. It weighed heavily on my husband. It contributed to his anger and alcoholism. I believe it has kept him from seeing God as a good, good Father.

Women I have known who were abused sexually by their dads have also had a great deal to overcome in accepting God as "Our Father who art in Heaven."

The role of father is so important in so many ways, including our coming to faith. I'm delighted you have such a loving testimony of your dad and his faithful walk with Jesus!