Father’s Day is always a bittersweet day for me, and this past one was
no exception. While I celebrate the
blessing of my three kids, I also spend some time reflecting on my late father
Larry who passed away on October 11, 2004 when he suffered a heart attack on
the 17th fairway at Burnaby Mountain Golf Course. Not a bad way to go out all things
considered...at least he was doing something he loved! :p
It goes without saying that I love Dad very much and I miss him
dearly. Every day, I feel his imprint on
me whether it’s how I parent, how I don’t take myself too seriously, or how I
think I’m a decent athlete.
In a conversation I had with my dear friend Megan over dinner last
night, I lamented that I wish that my daughter Kayla, born in December 2007,
had a chance to meet my Dad. As she is the
first Imoo girl in 75 years, there’s no doubt that he would have doted over her
and likely spoiled her. My son Jacob,
born in September 2003, was barely a year-old when Dad died so at least they
got to spend some time together. And my
eldest Sean, born August 2001, was the lucky one as he spent quality time with
Dad playing golf, hockey, and basketball among others.
Megan and I both volunteered for an event that evening that focused on
getting fallen-away Catholics to return home to the Church. It was an inspiring night of testimony,
faith, and hope. During the evening we
heard countless stories of people returning to the faith and encountering God
the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
In my evening prayer, it struck me that it wasn’t by accident that
Megan and I had our deep conversation earlier in the evening. I realized that the sadness I have for Kayla
never getting to know Dad is the same sadness I feel for someone who doesn’t
get to know God the Father...albeit intentionally or by circumstance.
That’s our primary goal as youth ministry leaders: to lead young people to an encounter with God
the Father. We may do good relational
ministry. We may have awesome small
group discussions. We may model
cutting-edge social media initiatives. We
may make professional promo videos. And
we may perform the most memorable skits and play the craziest games.
But all of these are for naught if we end up pointing young people to
ourselves instead of to God. It’s not
about us; it’s about God. Yet we
sometimes forget this.
It’s heart-breaking for a young person to come to your youth ministry
events regularly yet not know who God is.
Not know all the great and mighty things God has done for him. Not know how much God loves him.
Thus, let us all renew our commitment to enable young people to get to
know and love God.
Before it’s too late.
Clayton
Imoo is husband to Gail and father to sons Sean Isaiah and Jacob
Isaac and daughter Kayla Marie. He has served as the Director of the
Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Vancouver for the past ten years, helping parishes
develop their own youth and young adult ministries. When not doing
ministry, Clay enjoys spending time with his family, playing music,
playing sports, playing naptime, and writing blogs on topics such as
family, faith, and the Vancouver Canucks. Learn more about him at http://www.claytonimoo.com or follow him @claytonimoo
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