Truly Rich Mom: A Tribute To My Father - A Man After God's Own Heart

Papa and Mama leading the Lord's Day Celebration while on mission in Timor

Yesterday, it was my dearest Papa's birthday. I have blogged about him before on one of my weekly posts for Philstar.com's unBLOGGED, in commemoration of Father's Day. In my entry I honored him and thanked him for everything that he has taught me about being a parent.

Today though, I want to honor Papa for seeking and striving to be "a man after God's own heart." What does this mean?

Papa (and Mama) on mission in Nepal (March 2010)

Quoting from this article here:

"...for the plainly stated explanation from Scripture for the reason David was a man after God's own heart:

(Acts 13:22 NIV) After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'

He will do everything I want him to do. Wow, how simple is that and yet how hard is that for us to emulate? David was willing to do whatever God asked him to do. As we have seen David had his faults, but God knew his heart. He knew that David loved Him and would do whatever He asked him to do."

My Papa had, and still has (he admits this himself!) a lot of faults. When my siblings and I were growing up in Brunei, we used to be terrified of him whenever he'd lose his temper. I won't go into detail because all of that is irrelevant now, and God's grace and mercy has caused great healing in our family. But yeah, Papa has his imperfections, weaknesses, faults and failures - just like David (read the detailed article so you'll understand better). Just like all of us. No one's perfect right?

My Papa, Mama, Lola Basilisa (Papa's mother, who is now in heaven!), my sister, Tito Tony (at the back), little bro J, and me (at my Kuya's graduation I think)

Still, God chose him, just like He chose David. Because He knew that Papa loved Him and would do whatever He asked him to do. Just like David.

Take the following as examples:

Putting God first

I had just given birth to our first child while on mission in Timor. We had to be confined longer than we thought because Tim had jaundice, and I had to have my episiotomy repaired (ok, sorry for sharing too much!)

It was in the midst of busy, busy times for CFC in Timor Leste, and Papa had meetings scheduled with the CFC leaders. Despite his busyness though, he did visit us a couple of times in the hospital. But he always put serving God first. And I completely understood / understand him - in fact, I admire him for it! He did what he believed God wanted him to do at that particular time.

Growing in love with the Lord, together with one's spouse

Ever since he became a fulltime missionary for Couples for Christ (and Mama serving as his mission partner), Papa and Mama have been spending a lot of their birthdays and wedding anniversaries on mission.

Their anniversary this year was spent in Kuala Lumpur, a stopover on their way home from mission in Bangladesh.
Papa shared about the mission in South Asia. ;-)

While other people would be preoccupied with how they could spend time "rewarding" or treating themselves (which is not a bad thing in itself mind you!), Papa always puts God first. Even if there were special celebrations and such.

During a "welcome back ceremony" in Timor Leste ;-)

This was proven in more recent events.

The day before his birthday, Papa was at the CFC Home Office, settled in to finish everything on his to-do list before he and Mama leave for the CFC Holy Land Pilgrimage. I know he must have had a lot to do, but just before lunch, he was asked to replace a speaker for the Christian Life Program (on the topic "What It Means To Be A Christian) being held at the Court of Appeals.

Papa could have said, "No, I have lots to do" but he didn't. Just like David. Because he loves God and wanted to please Him.

On the eve of Papa's birthday, he attended the Thanksgiving Dinner of Pregnancy Support Services of Asia, of which he is a board member. Yep, my Papa is 100% pro-life!

On the day of his birthday, Papa had a meeting with the CFC Evangelization and Missions Office team, of which he is a part. He didn't "blow it off" as others might have done. He spent his morning and afternoon doing "God's work."

In the evening, he gave the talks on the Holy Spirit at the Christian Life Program in our village. We were supposed to have a family dinner but we re-scheduled it because Papa had already committed to giving the talk.

Again, he could have made his birthday an excuse for not speaking - but he didn't. Why? Because our Papa, the man who let God turn his world upside down when he joined CFC many years ago, is a man after God's own heart.

Thank You Lord for my Father. For the example He gives on how to be Your servant - striving to be holy through regular prayer, Scripture reading and service; faithful in all things; and zealous for your mission.

We should live as holy a life as we can and we can live a very holy life with the Holy Spirit's help. We should read and mediate on God's word. We should be people of prayer, praying without ceasing. Yet if we really want to be men and women after God's own heart, we need to start doing what He asks us to do. It is not always easy, it is not always fun and it is often without human reward or recognition, but who do we serve, man or God? Who do we want to please, man or God? Who do we want to think highly of us, man or God? (From Behind the Badge.net)