I’ve refered to him as the man of sorrow and the agnostic Calivinist, he is in fact my father and I received an amazing phone call from him the other night. He said he just called to let me know that he’d read through all of my postings on this site and was very proud and respected me for the journey I had taken and shared through this site. I was stunned. Some of what I wrote under the assumption that it would never be read by family. After all I cleverly hid my words in a blog on the Internet. Who’d ever think to look there?
However, true to his nature, he didn’t take offense at anything I wrote but instead took my words in the spirit in which they were intended. Something I don’t often get to experience. My response was genuine, and without any pretense of hiding behind humor; thank you.

I told him that it’s still my hope that he will join the journey one of these days and I relayed as such to him. I can’t remember the response I got exactly but it wasn’t “NO!” So from now on, whether he likes it or not, I shall refer to him as the man of hope.

Thanks again, Dad. I love you.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:1-5