This month my bishop gave the task of courage and witnessing. Not just any ole, “God saved me,” or “He woke me up this morning,” testimony either. He asked for testimonies that if you had to stand in court as a witness and say God is real, what would you say?

Would you just tell the jury what they’ve all heard before? Would you tell them a testimony that is safe and surface level? Or would you be brave enough to tell a true testimony, even if it isn’t finished yet?

Now my bishop said to write down a 2-3 minute testimony. So, you all will be getting some of the 2-3 minute testimonies God has let me be witness to and leads me to write.

One of the first things that comes to mind is…my bishop.

See, God has graciously given me the unique experience of having a father who is also my pastor and bishop. He leads the home and shepherds people. He can talk about quantum physics and comics, just as easily as he can teach a Bible Study. 

God has truly blessed my dad. He’s charismatic, intelligent, and a good leader. But being his daughter hasn’t always made honoring my father easy. 

Sometimes, when he’s Bishop, all I can see is Dad. Familiarity can make me too casual. The lines between daughter and church member blur. And even a well-meaning sheep can make a shepherd’s job harder when she forgets that he’s still shepherding her.

Then I realized: I can do the same thing with God.

God fulfills so many roles in my life that familiarity can make me forget exactly who He is. He is my Father—but He is also God.

The God who created the universe can give me favor over something as small as breakfast. The Father who welcomes the prodigal home is also the Father who corrects the children He loves. His correction does not cancel His love, and His love does not erase His authority.

God is our Father. My dad is my dad. I’m thankful that God has blessed me with a father that shows His forgiveness. I’m thankful that God has given me a bishop who challenges me to look deeper. 

God is real to me because the father He blessed me with has made me witness His correction, forgiveness, authority, patience, and how God truly is my father. 

Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” —‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬