by Meg
I was born in the Northern
part of the Philippines, in a small rural area where most of my mother’s
relatives where living in the same compound. Life then was so simple and according
to my mother, when I came to the family, our life was blessed. We had a small
nipa hut that was designed by my father and some sort of livestock such as
chickens and pigs. We had plenty sacks of grains/rice too, since my mother was
a farmer while my father was a security guard. However, when I turned three
years old my father was assigned to post in Pasig (an hour from Manila) and
since he was away from us my mother decided to settle and join with my father primarily
because we missed him a lot especially me.
I grew up in an urban place
where industrialization and commercialization took place. Nevertheless, the value
of the traditional type Filipino culture was still there because it’s my father’s
responsibility to inculcate it to our own lifestyle. Basically, that’s the way
he was raised by my grandma. He was so strict. A very disciplinarian person,
and guess what? It was not a rod if he disciplined us; it’s a leather type
two-inch belt. It was so painful and so to speak never to say anything when he’s
punishing us. It’s a must. No wonder why the fear of violating household rule
was within me, that’s why doing the right thing was only the best thing.
Among the four, he was much
overprotected on me. I was the apple of his eyes during my teenage years. One
of his famous lines was ‘if you are not obeying my rules, our door is widely
open.’ Despite of that, my fear was enveloped with love and respect. I had many
chances of disobeying him if I wanted to especially when I was in college, I can
be as rude just like anyone else but it was my choice to still honor and follow
him. One deciding factor and reason that made me obey my father was the fear of
God, when we had the fear of God, we came to understand more of everything. The
Bible studies I learned from Sunday school opened up my mind to know more about
life, family issues and concerns. It’s the Holy Spirit that guided and
whispered to my inner being on what to do rationally without any hesitation and
reservation. It upholds my heart to be more right and just to do the good
thing. I was blessed because God was there to lead me and come to the Father
through Jesus Christ. It was my initiative also to seek God during that time by
reading the Bible in my own personal way. By all means, the fruit of the Holy Spirit was
very powerful and everyone can be controlled by it if we
allowed it to.
My point of view I want to
share is --- different fathers might have different styles in terms of disciplining
a child. And to think of the way my father disciplined us, I better say now that
I understand him more because, he didn’t have much information way back then about
on how to discipline a child the proper way; he was just relied on how he was
raised by his mother and father. Nevertheless, I believe that a father will
always be a good father making sure that his kids will have the best life
better than him. And as their children, we are also responsible in accepting
that fact. We might not be able to know it earlier nor even understand it better but
to learn how they feel and to fit on their shoes will be much easier for us to recognize
them not only as their father but a good friend as well.
In the same way, kids may
vary with different personalities that make them unique. And as parents they
loved their children for the reason that they were made because of love --- and
by love which obviously a reason why every kid is a very special one no matter
who they are. In my case, I just allowed God to control me, not my parents.
They were just an instrument sent by God so that I can be the person I am right
now. Likewise, I initiated to seek God 15 years ago. It was a personal choice
and no one dictated me to do it. No one forced me to read the Bible and know
God even more. The freedom I enjoyed most from my parents was my personality I came to develop and appreciate more.
Finally, I want to encourage
every child to love our fathers. Some are blessed to have their own until now
and others do not have since they were born. Some are longing to have one and
others still seeking. And for those fortunate kids, let us be reminded that
fathers are blessings from God. Let us not allow bitterness or even hatred to
penetrate deep within if just in case they have done something wrong but rather
let forgiveness and love dwell in our hearts and let these two virtues be accessible
always. As my mother always says, ‘our days are almost gone and we are counting
our years’ and as a child or any kid, these are the best days we have to show our love
and appreciation to them for their being great and loving. And for all the
fathers, you have done all your very best and I salute you for that! =)
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