So there. It was a father and son bonding moment–the son poured out, the father listened.
There was no response, but the assurance of support and fatherly love is there. Somehow, the story told pained the father. Somehow, the experience pained the son.
The admonition came in days after–an electronic letter it was…
Dear To,
Kamusta ka da?
I was thinking deeply how you have changed. You see, your Nanay and I are confident and proud of you! I have implied so much of your character in some of my sermons. We have prayed for you all for God to help you as you prepare and embark yourself into the world. Well, the personal lesson: continue praying for your children.
Maybe you have lots of plans to satisfy yourself, entertain people, and be known. You have compared yourself with others and due to some failure, tried to cover-up your mistakes. The disheartening experience should rather make you humble and aware of the saddening consequences of playing or toying with sin.
Your non-committed and non-Christian contacts have contributed much in the lapse of your faith and practice. Their words may have lingered in your ears and it’s sad they lie embedded in your heart and head. When circumstances and difficulties create pressures the tongue spontaneously unleash the non-edifying words. It is time now for you neither to be tempted to entertain yourself nor make some human effort to face up with failure. When one does folly he can’t fool God, he will try to fool others and end up fooling himself.
It is time to make up your mind of what you should do with your life- and not rather be enamoured by the position and the privilege of amassing the world’s wealth. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Make your position a platform to share and glorify God before them who don’t have the hope in Christ.
Take a respite wherein you will consider how you could stand up and serve the Lord again with fear and reverence. Be sober and be vigilant for your adversary, the devil, is like a roaring lion going to and fro seeking whom he may devour.
You see if God has gifted with something but due to failure you can’t use that gift or talent you can’t have the abundant life and the joy our program is trying to share for 6 years now. For Joy is experienced within the context of one’s exercise of his gift or talent. Therefore, To, make up your mind. Take this from me with seriousness and humility. Trust God to cleanse and lift you up and claim God’s promise and renewal. He has given you a second chance, in fact a lot of chances. Don’t ignore nor reject it. Wake up and wake others also who may be cuddled now by the enemy’s lullaby.
With prayers,
Tatay
It made the son contemplate and repent. It made the son move on with a greater purpose in life. It made the son be proud of a faithful, loving father who became a friend.
So why tell this story?
Let’s say the son was…me.
