Tim Clark’s Blog

Fathers day, 2009. I’m speaking at church to dads (including myself) about the fact that as fathers we are called to nothing less than represent God to our children. Like it or not, the way our kids see God as Father will depend quite a bit on how we model what a father is like. While we’ll never quite measure up, we should at least understand that we have a sacred responsibility in this area.

In 1992, one dad showed the world what a father is supposed to be like. World-class athlete Derek Redmond was competing in the simi-finals of the Olympic 400 meter race. As a favorite, he should have gone on to the finals, and possibly onto a gold. Part way into the race, Redmond went down with a torn hamstring. In pain he watched the other runners finish, but decided to get up and do whatever he could to complete the race.

It wasn’t looking good; as the pain became unbearable, a big man jumped out of the stands and fought security to get to Derek. It was his dad. He put his arm around his son’s shoulder and whispered in his ear, “we’re going to finish this together”. Waving off officials who were trying to clear the track, son and father walked, and wept, across the finish line—dead last, but to the standing ovation of thousands.

I’ve told that story a number of times, but came across the video on YouTube only a couple of days ago…it wrecked me to actually see it. I want you to see it too. If you are a dad, this is the way we are to encourage our kids. Help them across the finish line, because our heavenly Father loves us the same way.