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This last weekend was the men’s retreat again and once again a group of local men gathered and listened to how to be better dads, husbands and leaders. I am always in awe of the vast difference of the men that come to this gathering. Different life experiences and journeys to get to this point; sometimes if you stood back and peered through the window, you would have no idea what would be going on. From looking at the appearance of the group, you would have no idea what was the relationship of all these fellows. Let me explain.

One man, with visible tattoos and a voice that reminds me of Rocky Balboa, had a sixth-grade boy following him around, making him laugh like he has not laughed in five years. As a matter of fact, they had not seen each other in five years. The father had prayed for a reunion since he was separated from his son. That reunion happened right before he left for the retreat and he brought his son with him. What a reunion, and what a treat for the rest of us to watch their interaction as they learned about each other, with a joy on their faces that will not be removed for a long time.

There was also an older man, tall, with a stature of a man who demanded respect in a former time. He is a retired police officer with years of being strong in the face of adversity. A well respected man that in his time worked the toughest streets and was called upon many times to put himself before danger and pray that he prevailed in the outcome. We see him as a strong, manly man. But as he shared, we got a glimpse of God protecting him his whole career. His humbleness could not be stopped from pouring out on the rest of us.

There was also a young father. A father that could be seen on every break, busy writing a letter, a letter that was of obvious importance. When asked what he was writing, the answer sent chills down the others listening about a tradition that was started long ago, of writing letters to his daughters for their birthdays. We let that soak in a bit. The girls that receive these letters may not understand the importance of these writings now, but down the road these words of wisdom, faith and love will become treasures that cannot be compared to anything. This man is doing something so right that future generations of his family will cherish as pure gold.

There was also a man surprised by the appearance of his son at this event, a man who struggled with addictions, a man waiting for God to tell him where to go next, a man with a vision, a man with little hope and a man knowing he had reached rock bottom.

One man in particular caught my eye. He was quiet and trying not to disrupt anything. He was waiting for something to happen. He did not know what it was but he knew he had to be ready, that was why he was here. He was sure that the opportunity to be there for somebody would come. In the last few hours it finally happened. Someone from his past stepped into the dining room and he knew immediately that this was it. The two embraced and then talked. The man had hit the bottom of life and was seeking someone to help him climb out. That is just what they are going to do. Help each other.

This group, from looking at them on the outside, does not appear to have much in common. In fact, most have very little in common on the outside, but on the inside they had everything in common. They all struggled on a day-to-day basis to be the men God had called them to be. They had failed on countless occasions to do what was required of them in the Holy One’s eyes. But Faith, Hope and Love of a father that we have never met face-to-face builds them up and, much like the father who prayed he would see his son again and did this weekend, our Father continues to have that kind of compassion for us, that we would return to him and all is forgiven. We cannot out-sin that kind of love. It is not just there for the men at the retreat, it is there for you too. God has been writing you letters every day; it is time to pull them out and reread them.