TO MY DEAR DAD ON FATHER’S DAY

“Our Father who art in Heaven…”                                                                                                                 I beseech Thee, Lord, keep my beloved Dad close to your heart in a loving embrace.

“Hallowed be Thy name…”                                                                                                                  That has always been on Dad’s lips, and his lesson to us his children; to give praise, honour and love to your blessed Name.

“Thy Kingdom come …”                                                                                                                                 I still recall one of Dad’s many advices: ‘You can help so that his kingdom will come by spreading his Good News and be a witness to Christ.”

“Thy will be done …”                                                                                                                         That was the only prayer I could utter between sobs and chest pains those days when my dear Dad was called by you, Lord. No other prayer could be uttered except, ‘Thy Will be done.’ Yet it had such a soothing effect spiritually.

“On earth as it is in heaven” …                                                                                                            Yes, now I am fully convinced that you, Lord, know best; You have the whole world in Your hands, being the author of life. It’s no use planning; no projection will be fulfilled without Your consent and help. Dad was right.

“Give us this day our daily bread …”                                                                                               That was Dad’s first thing in the morning before having breakfast and going to work. He used to walk up to church for his daily Bread, which, according to him used to give him all the strength he needed for the day. This is the same conviction I pass on to my children, because I know that it is a proven fact beyond any doubt.

“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others …”                                                                   Never a harsh word crossed my dear Dad’s lips; even when he was in the right, he always excused others and took the blame himself. For this reason I believe that the smile he showed on his face, on his death-bed meant that he was being welcomed with a smile by you, Lord. Thank you, Lord.

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil …”                                                     Another advice I inherited from Dad and which I still pass on to others is that if we keep close to Jesus we can never offend Him, it would be impossible to sin, because no man in his right senses would ever dream of offending or hurting the one he loves.

“AMEN.”  So be it, Lord as long as we have you at our side … rather if we always stick to you we can always walk the road ahead, difficult and stormy as it might be, because you, Lord will be carrying us in your arms out of harms way.

THANK YOU, dear Dad, for all these thoughts are yours; teachings, admonitions, advices, words of love to those you would like to meet one day in the Heavenly bliss.