Blessed. My brothers and I are blessed that our father is still with us up to this day. Although he is in mid-70’s and has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), he is still able to function well.

Katulad ko, bunso rin ang tatay ko sa kanilang magkakapatid. Kaya siguro may mga pagkakapareho kami ng ugali at paraan ng pag-iisip, pero marami pa ring pagkakaiba. At kahit na gano’n, I am amazed that he still knows what’s going on in me kahit hindi ako magkwento. Nalalaman niya kahit yung mga hindi ko sinasabi kahit kanino.

My earthly father is far from being perfect, but our Heavenly Father is continually speaking to me, loving me, and teaching me through him.

“Look Beyond Yourself and Love Other People.”

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

Gusto kong isipin na siguro, pinagdaanan din noon ng tatay ko yung mga pinagdaanan ko nung mga panahong sinabi niya sa’king bawas-bawasan ko raw yung atensyon na ipinupukol ko sa sarili ko para makita ko rin daw yung ibang tao—yung mga pagdurusa nila, mga paghihirap, pinagdaraanan—nang sa gano’n ay hindi ako sobrang nagseself-pity.

At tama naman siya, I focused too much on myself that I forgot to love other people as well.

“Matapang ‘tong Anak Kong Ito eh!”

“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

We were on our way home after we had a road trip when we were talking about something and all I remember now is when Daddy said, “Magaling ka, anak. Pinanghihinaan ka lang ng loob, pero magaling ka.”. Highschool yata ako that time at unstable ang self-esteem ko noon.

And several years after, pabalik na kami dito sa U.S. from having a short vacation sa Pilipinas, bago kami pumasok sa airport, as we bid farewell, biglang sabi ng tatay ko habang niyayakap ako patagilid, “Matapang ‘tong anak kong ‘to eh!”. I was only able to hold my tears for a few seconds and as soon as I turned back from them to head inside the airport, my tears fell uncontrollably.

Naramdaman siguro ng tatay ko yung bigat ng loob ko sa muling pag-alis dahil alam ko sa sarili ko na sa pagbalik ko dito, may mga kailangan akong gawin na mabibigat na desisyon. He must have felt that, and as always, he knew how to boost my spirit just when I needed him to.

“Kung ano ang tingin nila sa’yo, Hindi mo na problema ‘yon.”

“I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14)

My father knows that I have the tendency to listen more to what other people say and to fear and worry about what others think of me. And that is not good. He told me before that what others think or say about me is not my problem anymore.

And I just recently realized more profoundly that what God may have been telling me for the longest time is that, I should listen to Him and give the highest regard to what He says over what the world says because He is my Creator and He is my Heavenly Father who loves me like no one else does.

Other people may be wise, may speak with authority and may sound firm and confident, but they are still human. Therefore, their views and opinions are not infallible. Their words are not the Gospel, God’s Word is.

“Kapag mali na ang ipinagagawa nila sa’yo, gawin mo pa rin ‘yung tama.”

One of the most memorable advice that I got from my father was to always try to do what is right even when it is not the most common, the most popular, or the easiest thing to do.

Kahit pa maraming tao ang gumagawa ng isang bagay na mali, hindi ko raw dapat basta gayahin, kahit utusan pa raw ako na gawin ang isang bagay at mali na ito, gawin ko pa rin daw kung ano ang tama. Easier said than done, right? But…

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

A PRAYER FOR MY Dad

Papa God, I praise You for giving me a father who, even though imperfect and is still a work in progress, has been instrumental to make me feel Your love and Your goodness.

I thank You, Lord Jesus for all that You have taught me through my father’s words and mere existence, for all that You have provided us with, and for all the blessings and graces for our family. Teach us to love him like how You love us.

I ask You, Holy Spirit to please continue to refine my father’s character, let Your Wisdom eradicate any worldly principle or mindset that he holds and anything else that could prevent him from becoming the man that the Father has created him to be.

Lord, fill my father’s heart with Your light, patience, humility, godly wisdom, and greater love. May his heart be healed and free from any pain, regret, frustration, insecurity, and anything else that could hinder him from being truly happy and faithful to You.

May my Dad and all the fathers, including my eldest brother who has just recently became a father, be blessed with Your loving guidance and fatherly protection. May they feel loved, appreciated, and valued. May they live their lives in a way that is pleasing to You, and may they lead their children to You, Lord.

Amen.

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Photo Sources: Pixabay and Unsplash