The Father I Needed: My Christmas Story of Faith and Hope
Growing up, I was one of the most overlooked people in my school. I didn’t stand out much—no special attention, no accolades. Though I loved basketball and had many interests, the environment I was in often felt too big for me. The school I attended was filled with beautiful, talented students who seemed to effortlessly win the admiration of teachers and peers. I often felt unseen, unheard, and unloved, grappling with low self-esteem and questions about my worth. But amidst all of this, there was one person who never overlooked me— Jesus Christ . Whenever I entered a church, I would hear the same message: “You are a royal treasure. You are a chosen generation. You are set apart.” Those words from Scripture spoke life into me and planted a seed of hope in my heart. What was I set apart for? A purpose—one that was hidden in Christ Jesus. At the age of 14, I remember kneeling in prayer, feeling broken yet hopeful. My prayer to Jesus was simple: “Everyone in church says You are a heavenly...