Hi, Forrest.

Can I be frank?

Hi, Forrest,
Can I be frank?

We saw your show in LA

A grandma sat in front of me
arms reaching for heaven
gray hair sparkling like the sun
as the Spirit and stage lights
filled the arena

Turns out

your music
your mission

it’s affecting more than
THE JESUS GENERATION

Forty-something moms
wearing high tops
and the weight of
responsibility
heartache
hopelessness
tattooed on our forearms
grown women
fighting
the enemy’s lies
your words
remind us
of our own resurrection
we are held UP
high
by a God glorified

You’re changing the trajectory of

Thirty-something dads
whose identities have been shaped
by achievement
approval
shame
who once escaped their pain
by working
drinking
clicking
grown men
NO LONGER BOUND
by sin
blind men
who now see
who live fully free

We are the DJ taxi drivers
taking requests from the back

“Forrest Frank!”

We are the ones orchestrating
Saturday morning chores
to the tune of

“Forrest Frank!”

We are the parents hosting
trampoline disco dance parties
where we sing
and bust a move
to honor the king alongside

“Forrest Frank!”

You’re talking to the kids
but we are listening
to the message

life is too short
too unpredictable
it’s too risky to do
anything but
fall on our knees because
JESUS IS COMING BACK SOON

I just want to say THANK YOU
for the concert, yes
but mostly for
your boldness
for pursuing Jesus
with reckless abandon
in a world shining
its collection of trophies
and golden calves

For unapologetically
proclaiming your faith
YOUR WAY’S BETTER
than preaching empty words
on a false stage

I hope to be like that grandma
someday
arms reaching for heaven
gray hair sparkling like the sun
as the Spirit and stage lights
fill an arena

Where some wildly famous
Christian artist
worships like his life
like our eternities
depend on it

Until then
I’ll keep saying yes
when my daughter requests

“Forrest Frank!”

Because when
I LIFT MY HANDS
she’s learning to lift hers
and that deserves
an AMEN

Sincerely,
A forty-something mom, unapologetically embracing high tops and hope