A Father Like That

I want to tell you a story of a father and his son. I have known Bob Hendershot since 1992. He has three sons but I want to tell you about his oldest son, Trevor. Trevor has Down Syndrome. He is 20 years old and just graduated high school this week. Although I had not seen them for several years I recently had the privilege of seeing them again when I spoke at the Voyagers Bible Church Men’s Retreat on the last weekend of April this year. Each year at the retreat, on Saturday night, they have a time of testimonies – where men get up and share significant things about what God has done and is doing in their lives. Bob came up with his son Trevor. Bob told how when Trevor was born 20 years ago he blamed God, saying ‘What did I do to deserve a son like this God? I don’t deserve a son like this’. He told how the church had been so supportive, how the people of Voyagers had come alongside and loved them and ministered to them. When I first came to Voyagers to serve as a pastor there in early 1992, the Hendershots had a ministry to families affected by Down Syndrome. As Bob shared he told of tough times – how his father had made some mistakes in his upbringing and how he had made some of the same – but all the while God was faithful. He told the story of how Trevor had been chosen as homecoming king at the local high school. A wonderful story; one only God could orchestrate.

As Bob spoke it was evident how much love he has for his son and how much God has blessed him through his life. Bob closed by saying that now he says to God, “What did I do to deserve a son like this God? I don’t deserve a son like this.” But now he says it with thankfulness, grateful for God’s gift that has made such an impact in his and many other lives. God has taught him so many tings and blessed him so much through Trevor’s life. He sees things differently now than 20 years ago. At 1st he blamed God: “What did I do to deserve a son like this?” But his blame was turned to praise – so now with humility he says “I don’t deserve a son like this.”

I see some tie-ins with Bob’s story of not feeling like he deserves what God has provided. We have a problem – we need God to forgive our sins, but we deserve to be judged for them. The whole world is accountable to God – He is holy, righteous and will not excuse our sin. We are sinful and have substituted ourselves for Him. The wages of sin is death and what we have earned for our sins is separation from God. God’s active judgment against sin is real. God’s solution is Christ suffering for us – God substituting Himself for us - the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God absorbs the cost in mercy; and offers us the benefit by grace. The response is turning from our sins in repentance and to God in faith. In humility we declare that we don’t deserve a Father like that – who gives us every spiritual blessing in Christ.

When Bob was done and he motioned for Trevor to follow him off the stage. But Trevor pulled away from Bob and stood center stage and addressed the group of 150+ men. One thing you need to know: while Bob had been speaking Trevor held a book in his hands and kept asking “Now daddy?” Each time Bob would patiently say “No Trevor, not now.” Trevor probably asked 3-4 times. “Stand up!” he said loudly as only Trevor can. “Stand up!” I thought he was going to read Scripture to us. But instead he started to sing the hymn “Be Thou My Vision” – as only Trevor could sing it. We could make out some of the words and we all began to sing along. Bob moved over to Trevor and said “C’mon son, let’s go” but each time Bob would come close Trevor would move away again and continued to sing. He didn’t miss a beat. Each time Bob came close to lead him off stage Trevor would move further away and keep singing. He sang all 4 verses. There was not a dry eye in the house. The Son Bob said he did not deserve, taught us all a lesson in worship.

Early on Bob couldn't see what a major blessing his son Trevor was and would be. God taught him and showed him – in a long and painful way – and is still teaching him - just how great He is and how good Trevor is for his soul. God became his vision. He learned once again how God is crafting a story by mercy, inspiring faith and obedience – how much he needs God’s mercy, how his faith is dependent, and how to walk in obedience to the heavenly command – relying on Him to be His vision even when he can’t see what God is doing. God sees what we don't. He knows what He is doing. He is a Father that loves us and gives us what we don’t deserve. It is solely because of our heavenly Father and His only begotten Son that God does not give those who come to Him by grace through faith alone what their sins deserve – wrath and punishment; He took what we deserved, paid the cost and gives us what we don’t deserve – forgiveness. We then, can see spiritually. God is our vision.

Soli Deo Gloria