YOUR FATHER
“I Am Still Your Father”
What you’ve heard about me, It’s not the whole truth. They told you I left, That I didn’t care, That I was just a name on a check, But child, I was always there in prayer. They said I was like her past, But we are not the same. They painted my face with the guilt Of someone else’s shame. Truth is, My child became just like the ones who kept them from me, Not for your peace, but for their piece Of paper, of payment, of power. Time became a weapon, And I was written out of your hours. But I am still your father, Not just a man who pays. I gave you more than money, I gave you my name. And though the world tried to erase me, God’s grace still holds my place. I’m not perfect, but I’m present, With love that doesn’t fade. See, I grew up hard too. But I never used my pain to poison my parents. I never spoke to my mother the way you speak to me. I honored my father through the struggle, Even when he couldn’t give me everything I needed. But you never knew that side, Because they never let you see. They hid you from the roots that bore your tree. So how can they say you’re just like me, When you never knew my family? I’m not angry, I’m aching. For the birthdays missed, the hugs delayed, The wisdom I could’ve prayed into you, The quiet walks, the morning talks, The “I’m proud of you” I never got to say. But hear me now, I never abandoned you, I was abandoned with you, By systems, by silence, By lies told in whispers with legal backing. But I stayed praying. I am still your father, Not just a voice in the past. I gave you more than presence, I gave you a chance. And though they twisted the story, God knows the truth remains: I’m a real father with real love, And that love still bears your name. They made me out to be the villain, But even Jesus was misunderstood. And like the FATHER above, I kept knocking on the door, Even when you didn’t think I would. But I won’t be disrespected without repentance. I won’t pretend pain doesn’t hurt. Forgiveness isn’t weakness, It’s a door I keep open, But only you can walk through it. So if you ever wonder, “Where was my father?” Remember this: He was praying. He was waiting. He was loving you from afar, And he never stopped being Your Father. Amen