I recently watched a 15 minute clip on ESPN’s show E60 called “The Lettermen.” It’s a story about a Coach who changes the lives of a inner city football team. Couch Matsumoto, raised by a single mother, was uniquely positioned to speak truth into the lives of these broken, young men and women. He modeled the father figure that many never had. Most importantly, he understood what these kids needed to hear.
Couch Matsumoto wrote a letter to their parents:
“Dear Parent, I’m writing this letter to you to ask you to write a letter to your son or daughter, expressing to them how much you love them and how proud you are of them. This will give them the confidence and the affirmation to go to achieve their goals.”
Three weeks later, Couch Matsumoto passed out the letters to the kids. The kids just sat, cried, and processed the powerful words of love from their parents. For the first time, they knew in their hearts that they were loved.
After redeploying from Afghanistan, I struggled because I lost my promotion. I felt that I had failed my family and the honorable lineage of my grandfathers’ and my father’s service. I was torn with despair and offense at God, yet my parents never stopped loving me. For the next two years, they encouraged me. Moreover, they gave me the “confidence and affirmation” to go on the World Race.
I imagine I am more fortunate than most. Nevertheless, we all have a father in heaven. A father who loves us, worries about us, and thinks we are so important that he would sacrifice his Son to ensure we could be part of his eternal family.
This is my testimony to the 10/40 Window. To share God’s love with young kids in the mountains of Mongolia or tell the orphans of Nepal that their lives count for something. To live out of the love my parents and heavenly father have for me and share it with men and women around the world.
So watch this video. Then pray to God. Ask him,”Father, will you help me write your letter to me?” He will answer. You simply have to ask out of your weakness, and let his strength do the rest.
My letter:
Charles,
I want you to know how much I love you. I remember with such joy the way you used to rollerblade through the neighborhood or zip down the hill on your bike. You always were a confident little bugger – but I love that about you. You’re also passionate about whatever you do. You don’t believe in doing things that you aren’t invested in – and that’s good. Because all the work I appoint you to do, both big and small, is work that you must be invested in.
It pained me to watch you suffer in Afghanistan. I know it hurt to have the rug pulled out from under you. You felt so betrayed by your peers. You were trying to do what was right and you were taking on other’s burdens, but you began to resent the very people I appointed you to help. That cannot be. Fresh and salt water cannot come from the same spring. So we had to fix that. Now, your service will be a reminder to forever keep you humble. You must always have my purposes in mind when you lead, for promotion is not for your sake my son. It is for mine.
But look at you now. You have shirked the condemnation and shame. You have embraced my will with open arms. You have lost your timidity and fear, and you have replaced them with boldness. You are leaving computers, cellphones, and possessions behind to wholeheartedly pursue me. I am so proud of you my son. You are going to be a great “change bringer” and help inspire your generation and generations to come.
Remember, continue to learn my truths and seek my word. Commune with me in body, mind, and spirit. In time, you will become a Maximus of exhortation. One who rallies the fatherless, the broken, and the weak in the wilderness. So stay humble and committed to my word.
Lastly, remember once more how much I love you. No matter what you do, no matter how great the mistake, I will never stop loving you. You are my Son and my arms will forever be open to you. You are loved… never let the devil steal this truth from your heart. Because love, my dear boy, is everything.
– Your Loving Father
