Three things my atheist dad taught me about God

Writer Shakira explains how her father's love and support brought her closer to Jesus, even though he wasn't a practicing Christian. 

From a very young age my Dad took great care in telling me how wonderful I was. I was convinced I was his favourite, yet as I got a bit older I realised all of siblings felt this way. We really were all his favourite.

When I did well at school he was pleased with me. When I didn’t win a race he was pleased with me and reassured me that I was faster than the year before. It really felt like there was nothing I couldn't do, nothing I could say that would stop him from being my biggest fan. Even when he disciplined me, it seemed to hurt him as much as it did me as he softly asked for a hug after correcting my defiant behaviour. Being this was all it took for him to love me, and since that was never going to change, I was on cloud nine, safe and secure in my Dad’s love.