Ben Fuller shared the background of his hit song “Proud” and the emotional moment with his father that followed. The Christian music artist mentioned how that song is very personal to him and how his father responded after hearing Ben perform the song live. Watch the short but tear-jerking clip to hear how and why “Proud” is so meaningful to Ben.
Anyone who says words aren’t powerful is entirely and utterly wrong. Everyone wants to know and hear that they are loved and appreciated. It doesn’t matter what age or stage of life; hearing “I love you,” especially from a parent, can make all the difference in the world.
On the other hand, not hearing those words or receiving only harsh words of criticism or disapproval can be highly damaging, causing irreparable harm to that individual and the relationship. In a clip posted on YouTube, Ben mentions how he had never heard those words from his father growing up and the hurt it caused.
“So, we wrote this song called “Proud,” he said. “And it, basically, is like, I couldn’t understand my dad, right, growing up. We had a tough relationship. His dad never said, “I love you.” So, therefore, he didn’t share that. It was just this generational thing passed down, right?”
Later in the clip, Ben mentions how his life changed after he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He soon realized he had a heavenly Father who loved him, even though his relationship with his father on Earth was strained and complicated.
However, Ben shared what happened when he performed “Proud” live, and his father was in the audience.
“And so, I got to sing that song, and my dad was in the crowd,” he said. “And you want to talk about emotional? I could barely even, I could barely even get a, the opening line is, “He never hit me with his fists, but he did some damage with his words.”
Ben added that the Holy Spirit started working on him after performing the song.
“Right after I finished the song, I was getting ready to take my guitar off, and the Holy Spirit said, ‘Go hug him,’” Ben said. “And he stood up first, and he walked down the aisle, and he met me halfway, and he gave me a hug.”
Ephesians 6:4 “And, you fathers, do not make your children angry: but give them training in the teaching and fear of the Lord.”