My heart is broken and tears stream from my eyes as I leave the detention center at Hampden and Wadsworth, people are rushing home from work and very impatient. I’m so lost in my thoughts at a light that I don’t turn when the light is shining green and a horn jolts me from my mental vacation. Every student I talked to today had a similar story, they either didn’t know their dad or their dad abused them or had some unhealthy relationship with them. Many of these students, sixteen or seventeen, are dads themselves and another generation on the path to not be around for their kids. I want to convey so convincingly that they have a Heavenly Father who has always been there for them and will never leave them or forget them. I want to reach over the table and give them a much needed hug [not really appropriate for a state juvenile justice system] and let them know that they have a friend who is always their for them and will always be listening.One of the students I connect with just got a picture of his daughter, she is 2 months old now and the picture had to be taken when she was weeks old. She looks a lot like him, he is grinning from ear to ear and talking about how he is going to get out of the system and be the father he never had to her. He has plans to provide and goals to bring a solid foundation to their new family. I believe him as he talks with a new conviction to change because of the picture he holds.The sad part is, as I learn later from his case manager, his girlfriend gave their daughter up for adoption and the family that adopted her is out of state. He may never see his daughter again, and depending on who he puts his faith in when he is on the outs he may just turn back to his old way of living.
These students are shaped by their past and my hope is that they reshape their present lives through transformation through Christ to begin generations of families that love God, serve Him, contribute to their community which they live in, and become fathers that are intentional and purposeful to have healthy relationships with their children with the help of Christ.
