When I think of what a father means, I think of my own. One of my favorite Bible verses comes to mind, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are Mine." -- Isaiah 43:1
It reminds me of both our divine relationship with God and the bond we share with our earthly fathers. My father gave me many skills - how to work on cars, garden, and build things. But I also inherited less admirable lessons: bigotry, racism, queerphobia, misogyny.
When I became a father, I faced a choice: repeat the cycle or break it. I chose the latter.
One day, my daughter Annabell described a classmate. After several details, she casually added, "He's the one that's brown." His skin color was the last thing she noticed. In that moment, I knew I had done something right.
Annabell, thank you for being my teacher. Dad, I hope you're proud. You called me by name, and I am yours.
