USA – 12-time Grammy award winning American gospel musician Kirk Franklin has said he never knew his biological father until last week when he received an anonymous call.
The 48-year-old wrote in a Facebook post, which has been shared thousands of times, that after receiving news of his dad’s existence, he also learnt that he [the Dad] has just a few months to live.
“Two days ago, I received an anonymous call that my biological father, who I never knew, has 3-6 months to live,” Kirk wrote.
“I’ve lived my entire life hating this man. He and my biological mother gave me up for adoption, and it left me never feeling good enough….to this very day. I took my hate for him and used it as fuel to be the best father I could be for my own,” he added.
According to Exodus News, Franklin’s mother, Deborah Franklin, was only 15 when she gave birth to him and had initially considered abortion. It was his aunt, Gertrude Franklin, who intervened and ultimately raised the Christian musician as her own.
Franklin, who has four children of his own, explained that after reflecting on his anger, he decided to choose a different path – the sacrificial path of forgiveness.
“What I did wrong, is I never took that fuel, and turn it into forgiveness….and that is wrong,” the artist candidly revealed.
“Wrong for him, me, and the God I proclaim to represent. How can I preach what I don’t practice.”
He continued: “So I flew to Houston yesterday to do that. It’s painful, it’s a process, but how disappointed I would be in myself for this man to leave this earth without being forgiven. He deserves to receive what God gives me every day. Pray for him, and for me. God this is hard…I weep as I write.”
An absolutely incredible show of grace and love from a spirit-filled man who holds the truths of God close to his heart.
