Dads:
I want you to listen to a poem from a teenager in Chicago who expresses how important you are as fathers and fatherly figures:
Maggie’s Poem
Do you know, do you understand,
that you represent Jesus to me?
Do you know, do you understand,
that when you treat me with gentleness
It raises the question in my mind
that maybe He is gentle too?
Maybe He isn’t someone who laughs
when I am hurt.
Do you know, do you understand
that when you listen to my question
and you don’t laugh, I think,
"What if Jesus is interested in me too?"
Do you know, do you understand
that when I hear you talk about arguments
And conflicts and scars
from the past, that I think,
"Maybe I am just a regular person
instead of a bad, no good little girl
who deserves abuse."
If you care, I think maybe He cares.
And then there’s this flame of hope
that burns inside of me for a while
I am afraid to breathe because it might go out
and I will once again have nothing
But a God who mocks and laughs
and ignores me.
Do you know, do you understand
that your words are His words?
Your face, His face
to someone like me.
Please be who you say you are.
Please God, don’t let this be another trick.
Please let this be real
Please.
Do you know, do you understand
Who you are?
Copyright Maggie Gross 6/23/94