Ephesians 3:14, 20-21. “For this reason I kneel before the Father…Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.​”

Thanksgiving…it’s been a lesson I’ve carried with me all through life. It has brought me closer to the Lord with far reaching benefits that I could never have imagined. But my thanksgiving doesn’t start with a grateful heart, but a burdened one. My story of thanksgiving began nearly 40 years ago, when I decided to heed the Lord’s voice and resolve my unforgiveness. I pray my story will cause you to find boldness, courage, and determination that will take you deeper in your faith – to forgive others even as Christ forgave you. “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” ― C.S. Lewis.

But before I share the solitary day that changed my life, let me fill in a few details leading up to it. In the early days of my teenage youth, life growing up was no easy task. It seemed like nothing ever made sense to me. My family seemed to be in constant turmoil, conflict always floating around, and anger always present which led to many arguments. Yet through all of that was a redeeming story that was being written even in those early days and I write this with much love and respect for my dad, whom this story is about, the story of God’s grace and overflowing love to us all.

My dad was so giving to those in need and his work ethics were beyond compare. He never complained or fussed about life or pain. Managing over 10,000 acres of fertile farmland, he knew what it meant to keep his hand to the plow and never look back. One day my dad would come to know the true meaning behind this verse and the One who spoke it (Luke 9:62).

During my senior year in high school, I was kicked out and my relationship with my dad was far from being on solid ground. It was then that I made a deliberate decision to never speak to him again. Christ’s love had not dawned upon our hearts during those years so “pride, anger, and bitterness” ruled our lives. What a burden! All I sensed was guilt and a deep desire to be rid of my bitterness and anger! Fast forward nearly a decade: I’m a young adult and a new believer in Christ. I’ve decided to put my fears and pride aside and seek my dad’s forgiveness. Difficult, painful, and fearful do not fully describe the task before me.

This was definitely something I never imagined I could do, but isn’t that just the way God works? He asks us to believe, listen to Him, and trust that He will give us the words to speak at the perfect time. Nothing is too great for God, even those impossible barriers that were created from broken and damaged relationships.

I made a plan to meet with my dad and tell him what had been tugging at my heart for some time. Without a doubt, what I most definitely remember is silently asking God to give me the words to say. Any words would do just fine.

As my mouth uttered these words, I knew they were from above. “Dad, I don’t want you to interrupt me. I’m a grown man now. I’m married and I want to have a family of my own soon, but I can’t until I first take care of our relationship. I want to say I’m sorry for those stupid years of growing up when I caused you and mom so much heartache. I know I have to move on in my life. Dad, will you forgive me for all I have done against you and mom when I was young?”

I felt frozen inside. Fear gripped me. My mind was spinning. I was waiting for the “punch line” from my dad. My only comfort was to know my mom and wife were fervently praying and fasting as dad and I now stood face-to-face during this awkward one-sided conversation.

In my heart, I had forgiven my dad. Now, seeking his forgiveness was all there was left to do—a cleansing of my conscience; a fresh start so I could be set free. It’s been said that, “Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong, it makes you bitter; forgiving doesn’t make you weak, it sets you free.” Even if my plea was rejected, I knew this is exactly what the Lord was asking of me – to go and make peace. When our human strength ends, God’s sovereign power begins and I felt an extra measure of His strength that day.

Then it happened. For the first time in my life, that I could remember, I saw tears well up in my dad’s eyes. He looked straight at me and said, “Son, I love you!” I don’t recall if he said, “I forgive you,” or not. It didn’t really matter. It was the first time in my life as a young man that I heard my dad say to me, “I love you.” Wow! I’ll never forget it! I know we hugged each other for a long time. Then in silent agreement, we walked back toward the ranch house where I found my mom standing by the window peering out with hopeful tears in her eyes.

It was one of those experiences where I felt such a silent, soft joy exuberating in my heart. God gave me strength to make amends with my dad who now stood before me—a different man. I felt free. This was the dad I longed to know. The one I wanted to love. The one I wanted to love me in return. In my heart I felt I could move forward with no regrets…starting my own “new” family.

Just a couple weeks later another amazing incident occurred that confirmed God’s miraculous presence working in our hearts.

On the morning of our departure back to Johnson Bible College, my dad extended to me a treasure that sealed our commitment to one another for all time. In his hand was a gold, train conductor’s pocket watch. Not just any watch. This was the pocket watch given to my dad when he was a young man. It was his prized possession and he would often show it to me when I was a boy. Now, dad was handing it over to me! On the back of the pocket watch was engraved, “To my Son. Love, Dad. 1977”. Love, forgiveness, and reconciliation had begun.

From that first divinely appointed day to 23 years later, my dad, at the age of 80, came to know and receive the One who called him to salvation. I had the privilege of sharing Christ and baptizing him in a nearby lake. He has since gone to be with the Lord, but to this day I ask myself, what if I had not obeyed? God knew the sequence of events that would bring us to that glorious day. What if I had not listened to the Holy Spirit and passed by the one opportunity to make our relationship right? Today, I would still be living with regrets, wondering if I could’ve made a difference, missing the lesson of God’s redeeming grace found in forgiveness… His remarkable forgiveness offered to us all!

Where do you stand this very moment? How is the Lord desiring to use you to change a soul’s life: a loved one, a family member, an estranged friend, a co-worker, your spouse or your child? Heaven wants to use you for the service of His kingdom. Is there a tarnished relationship in your life that God is putting on your heart to help a soul waiting to be set free?

Who can imagine so great a freedom that can come from such risk taking when we’re willing to lay our emotions out like a transparent vase? So infinitely sweet to taste the presence of God in the midst of doing His will. How amazing it is to experience God’s Holy Spirit giving us the courage, the boldness, the freedom from bondage, the words to speak in those moments when we think we are void of linguistic expression. Someone is waiting to be set free! Go now, He promises to be with you!

And for that moment with my dad, I am eternally THANKFUL!

Scriptures for Daily Use:

Matthew 10:19c, 20. “At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Matthew 6:14-15. “For if you forgive men their sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

I Peter 5:7. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Matthew 11:28-30. “Come unto me, all you that are weary and burdened. And I will give you rest.”

Matthew 17:20. “Nothing is impossible for you.”

Matthew 18:15. “If your brother sins against you go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.”

Matthew 5:23. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your offering.”

Romans 12:18. “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”

Romans 8:5.“God demonstrated his love for us while yet we were still sinners.”

Ephesians 3:14a, 20-21. “For this reason I kneel before the Father…Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”