Stephen A Smith reveals how his pastor taught him the ‘ultimate power’ of forgiveness at his father’s funeral
ESPN commentator and “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith explained a valuable lesson he learned from his pastor shortly before delivering the eulogy at his father’s funeral.
Smith said in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox Nation’s new two-part special, “Sean,” that although he was unable to repair his relationship with his father while he was alive, “reconciliation came on the day of his funeral” in 2018. Although it “wasn’t the plan,” according to Smith, the sports media star announced to his family members that he wanted to hold a eulogy.
“I have these things on my mind … I’ve been holding it in for years,” Smith recalled telling his pastor before the speech. He told longtime friend Hannity that he disagreed with the way his father treated his mother, explaining in the interview “what he felt, how he acted, what he said, was nothing compared to what he did to her.”
Stephen A. Smith joined Fox Nation host Sean Hannity for an exclusive, in-depth chat about the new show ‘Sean’. (Fox News)
His pastor, however, advised him not to talk about his grievances at his father’s funeral.
“He led me to a scripture in Matthew about forgiveness,” Smith said. “It was about realizing that the power of forgiveness is the greatest power.”
Smith continued to praise his father, taking his pastor’s advice and choosing to be more lenient in his language. He recalls the speech ending with, “I know there’s a lot to complain about. But he was my dad. And I loved him.”
“Every day I thank my pastor for talking to me that morning, because if I hadn’t talked to him, the person my sister Carmen heard on the phone an hour earlier wouldn’t have given that eulogy.”
Smith also elaborated on the love he had for his mother, calling her “the greatest mother I’ve ever known.” He said he and his sister saw his mother starving “just to make sure we weren’t hungry.”
STEPHEN A. SMITH OPENS UP ON WHAT MOTIVATED HIS DREAMS: ‘YOUR OWN AMBITION IS MOVED’
ESPN anchor Stephen A. Smith has made numerous appearances with Sean Hannity in addition to his regular sports media roles, pictured here on “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” (Screenshot/YouTube)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox Nation programming are viewable on demand and from the app on your mobile device, but only for Fox Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch an extensive library of your favorite Fox Nation personalities.
