Dear earthly Dad,

You have been my dad since 1989. You have been the only Dad figure that I have known.

Through this 21 years we have had our ups and downs and ins and outs. There have been times where I hated you and there have been times, such as now, that I love you.

You have provided for our family and have shown me that you have to work and provide for yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.

There is a lot that I have learned from you. Some things are good and some are bad. I have learned things that I should do and I have learned things that I should not do. All of them are lessons learned and there are things I still have to work on.

I have seen you live a life that was pleasing to God and that showed me that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way, truth, and Life!

These past few years I have seen you traveling down a road that is leading to destruction. I, and the others, have expressed our love, concerns, opinions, etc to you to let you know how we feel but it seems that it has fallen on deaf ears. We have showed you love, even when it was hard, but we showed it because we really do love you. You have SO MUCH to live for! You have family, children, and grandchildren. Most of all you have Christ; if you will accept Him as your Savior.

I have told you many times that God is not waiting for you to change before you come to Him. His word says, "Come unto me all who are weary and I will give you rest; come just as you are!" The verse is saying that, "I, God, will change you. You cannot change yourself. Come to me and let me hold you, love on you, and show you that I can do EVERYTHING for you!"

Dad, the only hope that you have is to turn to God and allow Him to do a work in you that no other human could ever do! A work that even we cannot do for you.

Up until now there have been no consequences to your actions. Now, as you sit and read this in a Motel room I hope you realize that actions have to be taken by you to change what you have become, which Dad, you have become and have been, an alcoholic. You NEED help! You NEED help that none of us kids or mother can give you. You need help that you can't give yourself.

There is a place here called the Foundry that is a Christian based organization that helps addicts. They give counseling and put you to work and help you overcome this addiction.

We, your family, who will always be your family. Even though the marriage between you and mother is over, we are all here to love, help, and support you through this. Mother still wants the BEST for you, even if that best if separate from her. She loves you enough to let you go so those changes can happen. You can't love her or anyone for that matter if you do not have the love of Christ inside of you and if you don't first find out how to love who you are.

As you go down the path of Change and Restoration we will be beside you cheering you on, lifting you up in prayer, and supporting you.

I love you Dad! I will always love you and be here for you. You are always lifted up in my prayers and my phone is always on for your to call and our door is always open for you to come over.

Remember that John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son that who ever believes in Him should not perish but have Eternal life." Call upon the name of the Lord Dad; which is the ONLY name that can save you!