W. MARK WHITLOCK
Author
Silence. We never expected silence.
For now, we estranged Christian parents must live among the past of our memories, the now of the separation, and the not yet of God’s sovereign will.
Find hope, encouragement, and community here.
What Happens to Our Tears?
How do estranged parents respond to the pain and ache of "no contact"? How far away from your beloved stranger do you feel? You and I shouldn’t rush to an answer to this question. The pain of distance is real. Pain, when hidden, is often crammed into a closet like a...
Nine Recordings to Help Us Celebrate the Semiquincentennial
These recordings will stir your patriotism, make you think about the grand experiment that is the United States, and perhaps move you to be more involved.
A Prayer about Time on a Beloved Stranger’s Birthday
A birthday prayer for the moments we can’t have—her cake, her hug, her joy—and the God who holds both of us across the distance. Pray this raw, honest prayer with me as we grieve estrangement on our child’s birthday.
What Would an American Flag Say?
As a Boy Scout, I participated in many flag retirement ceremonies over the years. I wrote this ceremony imagining what an American Flag might tell us.
Is That Really in God’s Nature?
How Christian parents of estranged children can make some sense out of God's timing. Cynics love to drag out an old chestnut of a riddle to trip up Christ followers. They ask, “If God is all-powerful, can He make a rock so large that even He can’t move it?” If God is...
Between Shadows and Light: A Prayer on Father’s Day for Fathers Estranged from their Children
Fathers estranged from one or more children on Father’s Day feel many emotions. While Father’s Day is already more of a forgotten holiday, this Sunday in June brings the pain, grief, and loss into stark focus.
“Hey… Dad? You wanna have a catch?”
A Deep Dive into Field of Dreams, estranged fathers, and movie magic Field of Dreams will endure as one of the greatest baseball movies of all time. James Earl Jones delivers one of his most iconic performances. The lines from the movie will echo in dugouts and...
Penitential Candle
Records from the 15th through 19th centuries tell stories of church leaders in Europe and even America who forced those caught in sin to dress all in white and walk through town carrying a lit candle. The townspeople would mock and taunt the person for his or her sin....