By David Kennedy
A BAD FATHER
A Story of Relationships Lost and Redeemed
It’s a club that no one wants to be a member of. I am the father of a prodigal. Actually more than one. The potential reasons will be alluded to in the following pages, and it would indeed be great if a reader could learn from the vast array of mistakes I have made in raising three sons.
In fact, it is my prayer that the Holy Spirit may use this book in that way. However, it is far from the primary reason that God has laid it on my heart to draft this text.
Only members of this not so exclusive club know the pain of its entry fee. When learning that one is going to be a parent, dreams of laughter filled homes, child prodigies, sports heroes, and college diplomas fill the mind.
Cracks in the dream are usually revealed in early adolescence. Rebellion replaces obedience. Disdain of authority replaces respect. Ambivalence replaces love. The home becomes a place to eat and sleep instead of a place of instruction, nurturing, and refuge. The child becomes increasingly dependent upon his friends and increasing independent from his parents.
In the case of prodigals, at some point, an emotional break takes place from the parents, and any attempt to implement boundaries and restore a parent/child relationship are viewed as contentious and insulting. The child is already gone emotionally, and makes it extremely clear they can’t wait to be gone physically.
At this point, the joy of parenting is at best a faint memory. It has been replaced with anger, frustration, and heart breaking sorrow.
The story I am about to share is extremely personal and for the most part, uncensored. Accordingly, you need to understand the perspective from which it is written. I am a born again Christ follower, and unapologetically regard the bible as the inerrant word of God. I am also a man who has fallen far short of God’s standards. In fact, that is the reason I am a Christ follower. Jesus is the world’s only hope. He is my only hope.
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