SA MAHAL KONG "PAPA" ( A Tribute To My Father)

     Napakaraming klase ng ama sa buong mundo.  Iba’t-iba man ang ating pagpapakahulugan sa kanila, may isang nagingibabaw na katotohanan sa kanilang pagkatao, ang pananatiling ating ama kahit ano at sino man sila.

                                                                             

     Mula sa aking pagkabata, alam ko kung gaano ako inalagaan at inaruga ng aking ama.Simula sa paggising at hanngang sa pagtulog ay ramdam ko ang kanyang nag-uumapaw na kasiyahan sa pagkakaroon ng isang anak. Bilang panganay na lalaki, walang masidlan sa kanyang puso ang  galak at pagmamahal na bumambalot sa kanyang pagkatao. Naalala ko pa noong napakataas ng aking lagnat, hindi na niya alintana kung ano ang kanyang suot sa pagmamadali para maitakbo ako sa ospital. Alam ko kung gaano kahalaga sa kanya ang pagkakaroon ng anak.  Lahat ay kakayaning gawin para lng matustusan ang pangangailangan at maipadama ang kaginhawaan sa pamilya.

     Lumipas ang mga taon at habang kaming magkakapatid ay lumalaki, naiba ang direksyon ng aming buhay. Minsan dumaan ang pagsubok na siyang nagpapatatag sa buong pamilya. Minsan na rin nadapa at nalugmok sa bisyo ang aking ama. Kung paano siya nakabangon sa kanyang kahinaan ay isang bagay na lubos kong pinapasalamatan sa Diyos.

     “Pa”, alam ko na may mga bagay na hindi na natin pwede ibalik. Gawin na lng po nating isang malaking aral sa buhay ang mga pinagdaanan ng ating pamilya noon.  Sa araw na ito, gusto ko lng malaman mo na sobrang saya ko po na ikaw ang aking naging ama. Wala man po ako sa tabi niyo ngayon para sabihin sa inyo kung gaano ko kayo kamahal, ay palagi po kayo nasa aking pagdarasal. Alam ko kung gaano niyo po kagusto mabuo at magsama-sama na ating pamilya. Ipinagdadarasal ko na sa tamang panahon, matutupad din ‘yong pangarap na iyon.  Marami pong salamat sa lahat ng pagsasakripisyo at walang-hanngang pagmamahal sa amin. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY PA!

A GREAT GOD FOREVER!

            

     “YOU ARE A GREAT, GREAT GOD! YOU ARE A GREAT, GREAT GOD! YOU ARE A GREAT GOD!” These lines of the song comforted and assured me of God’s never-failing promise to stay beside me even in the midst of sufferings. My heart was moved by His loving embrace that I felt during the Praise Fest. I just couldn't hide my feelings. Real joy and hope reigned over me in the victorious 3^rd Kuwait National Conference.

    The said conference has enlightened me with a great truth. My mind and heart was overwhelmed of His awesomeness for being greater than whatever problems, pains, and fear I am experiencing at the moment. He has shown through Mary a perfect example of obedience and complete surrender. Yes, I need to offer once again everything in me to God. Healing won’t just be happening easily, I have to unload some of the heavy burdens and to trust fully in our heavenly father of His grace.

     It was a life-changing event since it made me realize that even the people who caused us the pain and all the situations that brought us to misery must be accepted with a grateful heart. Without these, I will not be as strong as I am now. It reminded me of the moments when I was down and hopeless. It became a way for my connection to our Lord.  It taught me how to call on Him in the darkest hours of my life.

     In everyday that the Lord has shown the love through the people around me, no definite words can describe how much I glorify Him. When most of the time that I struggle against the world, He continues to use other people and situations for me to have a deeper and a personal relationship with Him. It made me believe that in every situation God invites us to dwell in Him is also an invitation to be more like of Christ. In everyday that we live with His commandments, we proclaim how great He is.  We magnify His being a great Father to all of us.

      A conference like this has marked a great impact in my spiritual journey. Seeing upon the faces of the other SFC’s and Non-SFC’s, I can say that God’s greatness above all others was proclaimed. We have received inner peace and blessing as well. I am not sure of what would happen in my future, but with a Great God, I am certain that He will always be at my side no matter what happens. Mathew 28:20 says, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”