Thread by @hoopersnook

My dad texted me this today. Then we talked about it and some other things for a bit. But this isn’t about what some guys do/say about @BethMooreLPM, it’s about my dad- my first pastor and teacher.
A thread /1

When I was a little girl my dad told me I was smart and special and could be anything I wanted. I decided to drive the train at the zoo. Or be the Queen of England. Or the Pope.
Dad gently explained that my birth & life circumstances prevented the last two, unfortunately. /2

Even as a little kid I loved theology. I wanted to talk about the hows & whys, not just the whats of the Bible stories. I loved to read & question and my dad fed my hunger for knowing with books and conversation and experience. /3

I used to go with my dad when he did revivals and conferences. I’d go with him to pastors’ meetings- a roomful of men and 1 preteen girl, talking about church and theology and sports and being treated like a whole, important, equal person by each one of those dear brothers. /4

I’d read my dad’s seminary books. We’d watch movies or news, and talk about how history, politics, social movements, religion, and all these things are woven together to create the culture & events we experience.
I tagged along & helped on some of his dissertation research. /5

I wasn’t great at “girly” things. But except for not helping my mom how I should, that never mattered in my house. I was me and that was great.
I was held to a high standard of excellence, not out of unreasonableness, but bc he truly believed I was capable of it. /6

My dad taught me to love books. He encouraged me to figure out what I believed for myself, even where on some finer points I landed in a different place than him.
He’s a skilled bible expositor who taught me to love the craft of studying & writing. He graded my sermon notes. /7

My dad gave me responsibility and roles in serving our church as a preteen. I had opportunities to teach preschool in middle school, that’s still a huge part of what I do today.
I learned to serve people. To do the hard, behind the scenes work. To wrestle with heartache. /8

My dad gave me biographies of heroes of the faith- Corrie Ten Boom, Amy Carmichael, Lottie Moon. He made sure I had role models in real life and in story that were brave & intelligent & faithful. /9

My dad told me the truth where I was weak or wrong. But he never let me forget that he was proud of me. He corrected me. He fought with me. But he always respected me. He protected me but didn’t patronize me. He never made me feel less than. /10

He made sure I knew my own mind. He made sure I knew my own will. He made sure I knew my own value. But above all, he made sure I knew my Father, who loves me and made me- every part of me- on purpose.
My dad encouraged, empowered and elevated me. And still does. /11

When I got married it was to a man who treated me with the same dignity, honor, and sometimes exasperation that my daddy modeled for me so well. I knew not to settle for less. So that when my hub also became my pastor/boss he never acted like we were anything but partners. /12

The men that lead my home & church have been men that did so by going before to absorb every blow. Men that have fought for me and advocated for me in my gifting & calling. Men that have never made me feel reduced or restricted. I am thankful for that more and more. /13

My dad’s not liberal. But he treats daughters as a whole persons, made in the image of God, redeemed in the image of Jesus, and gifted by the Spirit for the sake of the Church & Gospel.
And that is how the Father sees @BethMooreLPM, me and every little girl in His Kingdom. /End

I don’t think he still gets on “the twitter” but if he does s/o to my dad @DennisRayHooper