I thought a lot about fathers on Father’s Day. As I’ve spoken to locked-up teens and young adults, I’ve noticed the absence of a good father’s influence in their lives…often there is no father or if there is a man around they’re a really bad influence. I also know there are a lot of dads out there who think they didn’t do a good job with their kids. Maybe their kids aren’t in trouble with the law, but they know they didn’t do the job God wanted them to do. Maybe they aren’t connected with their kids as much as they want. Maybe they just don’t know how to reconnect after having blown being a dad for so long.
Here’s what my dad did. He rejected passivity and stepped up to be my dad even though I was already an adult. I didn’t think I needed him. I was a young man who had all the answers. But little did I know that I really needed him more than ever.
Victor and his dad
My dad became my model for how God can change any person’s life by the power of the His Spirit and Word. There was never any doubt that my dad would be perfect. So instead of perfect, he showed me that the direction a life can change when a heart is touched by God.
Yes, we did have to work through significant issues like where was he all of my life. And there was the issue of all the back child allowance he owed me. 
My dad is beat up pretty bad–years of hard living and hundreds of fights took its toll. He daily has to die to his flesh, the “old man,” but one thing he knows is that God has never failed him.
My dad probably prays more for me than anyone else. I know he prays for my family, my ministries and for my many, many calls when I ring him up and say, “Dad, I’m having a hard time.” He knows the battle is in the spiritual realm. The battle requires faithful, intentional prayer to have victory.
So, remember that it is never too late to be the dad God created you to be. If this Father’s Day wasn’t what you wanted it to be because you haven’t been the Dad you want to be, now’s the time. Do what my dad did and step up. Don’t wait.
And if Father’s Day wasn’t good because of your dad, it isn’t too late to forgive those who’ve failed you. You can forgive and change the relationship.
It is never too late and now is the time to act, because you know that with God all things are possible.
Please pray for:
1. The young people who are locked up and didn’t have a positive father figure. Pray that they will know their heavenly Father who will never leave them and will love them.
2. The fathers who need to step up this year and boldly stake their claim to being dad, no matter what has happened in the past.
3. Those who have been hurt by their fathers–that they can forgive and find healing through our great God.
And please let us know your Father’s Day story. We’d love to pray for you, too.
Wow. That is very touching and my prayers to him, the kids without fathers or dont know The Father, fathers of course and those hurt. This was a really cool idea. Im glad i read it!
Beautiful witness Victor. We daily pray for you, your family, team and the teens you’ve met and are about to meet. Thank you for your updates. It encourages us even more. Linda
Victor,
As a dad who knows he wasn’t the dad he needed to be, I am grateful for your encouragement and your testimony. I think most men want to have this kind of relationship with our sons AND our fathers. Blessed by your life. Blessed by your story. Blessed to be your friend.
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Thanx Victor….I am just that father….I refuse a divore…but the thought of it and leaving my kids was real. I was so empty…nothing to look forward to …except living by myself and leaving my family….BUT….and that was big But…ha ha…I knew that God was there…
and He was just waiting for me to come to the end of myself…I had lost the relationship with my chrildren I would have wanted because I was lost myself…when I re-devoted my life back to Christ….so much water had gone under the bridge…I couldn’t tell or ask my kids to listen to me now!! But recently I did have the chance to talk to my prodical son….I didn’t even realize till later that I had shared the gospel with him. I can’t tell all but your
story with your dad and the hope that the savior gives….Amazes me…I love praying for you and your kids…..In His Name….Daryl
It’s true I did start out as a pimp, and drug abuser, I was a wise guy in the Cajun Mob. We were not the big time folks our godfather, was not from Italy He was just like us. A Cajun man born and raised. However he was a very dangerous person. Water moccasin snakes and Alligators had no were nothing compared to his wrath. It’s no wonder Victors mom wanted to change all my children names. plus signing a restraining order so I could not see my kids from a certain distance away, I mean like another town. Ha! I was pretty ticked about that but Murder was out of the question. Besides with me being a criminal and all, who could blame her? Of all my Children Victor has out done us all. I was to much of a coward to join the Marines. But Victor did. Victor inherited my humor, My Karate Spirit, my good looks, HA! well anyway skip the good looks. My son Victor is my Elijah. I started My ministry in 1970, Victor has taken the ministry far beyond what I ever dreamed. God has surely Blessed my son. He even surpasses me in teaching Keichu as a sport. I never had 12 World Champions at one event, he did. I feel like I’m a David and my loving son Victor is like Solomon. I Bless him and support him as much as I am able. He may be 44 years old but he’s still my little baby boy, and I LOVE and RESPECT him very much. He is so right when he says it’s NEVER to late for a Father and son to get back together Parents from the time your child especially Dad’s with their daughters. Don’t think of them as children after they are 15 years of age. Treat them like adults, even if you still think of them as your child, they are not really little kids. Love them no matter what,never turn your back one one even if they are Gay. Their still your children and like it or not that is their choice. Remember God loves the sinner but hates the sin. With all my Bad, My sweet loving Mom loved me till the Lord called her uo at 91 years of age. All things are Possible with God.
Keep Christ first in ALL you do. Never stop reading you Bible and PRAY, pray, Pray
Loving you all.
Victors Dad.
Thank you all for your comments and a special thanks to you Dad.. I love you!