In Tennessee, in 1870, at the turn of the last century, a little boy was born to an unmarried mother. He had a very difficult time growing up because everywhere he went, he was always asked the same question “Hey boy, who’s your dad”? If he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would have the same line of enquiry. This little boy would hide during the lunchtime from other students, and avoid going to the stores because of the question that would hurt him and make him sad.
When he was 12 year old, a new pastor came to his church. This boy always went in to pray late and slipped out early to avoid being interrogated. One day, after the concluding prayer, the pastor moved through the crowd and spoke to them. When he saw this little boy, he touched his shoulder and asked “who’s your dad”? The whole church went deadly quiet. The boy could feel everyone looking at him. This new pastor sensed the situation and he looked at the scared little boy. He then said “I know who you are. I know your dad. You are the child of God”. He patted the boy on his shoulder and said: “You have got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.” This boy smiled for the first time in a long time. That incident changed his whole life. He grew in faith and education. He became the former governor of Tennessee, named Ben Hooper.
When you realize that you are not alone, and someone cares for you: it gives you a great sense of confidence and courage. I have a friend who is a psychiatrist and a theologian. I asked him once as to what was the most common problem his patients faced, those who came to him for help?’ He paused for a while and said “loneliness”. It is everywhere, and in all spheres of life. One could live in the midst of hundreds of people, with material prosperity and digital connections, and still be affected by loneliness. In the book of Genesis God said: “It is not good that the man should be alone” (2:18).
There is an inter-Trinitarian relationship with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. We all need to be united with someone. Companionship is not just a physical or emotional need. It is also a spiritual need. This is why a partner or a domesticated pet is not enough to combat loneliness entirely. You need them, yet they are not sufficient. There is an emptiness in everyone’s life without Christ. As Blaise Pascal rightly said, ‘There is a God-shaped vacuum in every life that only God can fill.’ You have a dad who keeps his inheritance for you. Go and claim it. God bless you!
