On Fathers and Families

As the youngest of our family, I was greatly privileged to experience and receive only love from my siblings and parents. 

I was born when my parents were already past their 40's and as result I was always mistaken as not their own. Maybe, I was too cute to be a farmers' daughter. Lol! 😆 (My elder sisters did not allow me to go lurking on rice fields unlike the other kids, so, I don't look like a farmers' daughter. )

I was a very mischievous little girl, kick ass even at a young age and my aunties used to make 'sumbong' to my Tatay that I got a sharp tongue. 😆

My Tatay was never a perfect one, but, I highly respect his authority. I only remember just once that I did not obey him (when I did not make 'mano' to my godfather and had dishonored him before his peers) and I earned a good discipline. 

Growing up, I did not remember any other time that I dishonored him. In fact, he was always honored as he consistently pinned medals year after year (as he did with my elder siblings). While teenagers of my age went after what teenagers usually wanted, I went after academics and after my dream of going into a prestigious university. (My Tatay and Mama, just wanted me in the province, but, when I decided to study in Manila, they said nothing to dissuade me.)

My Tatay may not be a godly father, but, I knew that his faith and fear of God now is real. He might have fallen short of God's glory in his young years as a husband to my Mama, and a father to my elder siblings, but, God had given him children who honor his authority as a father.

I thank my GOD for my Tatay and entire family. My prayer is that my GOD will continue to reveal Himself to him and enable him to truly see himself as how God sees him. (Same prayer for all the members of my family.)

My GOD is my only One True King, but, I consider my Tatay as the king of our family. As king, he only deserves to be honored even if Father's Day is still weeks away.

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LORD GOD, help us, Your children, to bring glory to Your Name alone, the same honor that Jesus gave You with His obedience. In His Name. Amen.