Go, Daddy!
by Seneca Moraleda-Puguan
At a time of war, inflation and pandemic, where things are shaken and everything is uncertain, I can only imagine what it is like to be the head of a family.
My younger brother in the Philippines leaves by 4 in the morning and goes home before midnight as a chef just to be able to provide for his four children.
My other youngest brother who lives in Canada has to juggle three part-time jobs just so he can give a good life to his three growing children.
I need not look far, my husband has been working day in and day out so that he can always provide food on our table and a roof over our heads.
I am certain that every father around the world is making ways to meet the needs of the people they love.
While I consider myself fortunate that my husband has a job to sustain our family and my brothers are able to provide for their families at such a difficult time, I can’t help but think of the fathers in Ukraine who have to be separated from their wives and children to fight for their country’s freedom.
My heart goes out to the fathers who lost their children in the school shooting in Texas.
My thoughts are with those who have lost their jobs and sources of income because of the pandemic.
My heart bleeds for every father whose heart is anxious and fearful for the lives and future of their families because of the many challenges the world is facing right now.
As we celebrate and remember the fathers in our lives this month, I would like to urge everyone to speak a prayer of blessing upon the men in our homes. They have heavy burdens to bear and great responsibilities to fulfill.
To the fathers believing in jobs and looking for ways to provide for their families, I pray for doors to open and opportunities to come your way. Be encouraged that He who created the world will provide for you and your family’s needs.
To the daddies who lost precious loved ones, taken away by sickness and tragedy, I declare overwhelming peace, comfort and grace to be your blanket at this time. May the God of all comfort wrap His arms around you and may His peace that transcends understanding guard your hearts and minds.
To the dads who are fighting for their country and their families, I speak strength and grace upon you. May courage be your weapon and hope be your shield as you fight for victory and freedom.To all the ‘Papa’, ‘Popsie’, ‘Tatay’, ‘Ama’, ‘Appa’ or however we call ‘father’ in different languages, know that we honor you, we praise God for you, we remember your labor.
We are grateful for you, not just for what you do but for you who are. We know that it is not easy to be a father in such a difficult world, but thank you for enduring, persevering and still choosing to love.
We can only say THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. We are here to cheer you on. Go, daddy!
Happy Father’s Day!
