When you love by example
My dad loved everyone and it did not matter to him whether you were rich or poor or where you came from. He believed that we were all one under God and perfectly made in God's image. My daddy's name was Gustavo. My dad was very important to me and my siblings. I guess what I didn't know was how important he was to all the people whose lives he touched. He had become a role model and a spiritual father to a lot of people over the years in his evangelical ministry. He was more than happy to share his faith in God in such a gentle way and also showed the love of God to everyone he came in contact with on a daily basis. He preached what he lived. He lived what he preached.
Just to share an example:
I remember going to the grocery store with my dad and I was surprised at how much groceries he was buying. Now, I knew that my mother and father had just gone grocery shopping earlier in the week. So, you can imagine the surprise when I saw my dad buying more groceries. So, we get out to the parking lot and my dad opens the tailgate to his dodge ram pickup truck and starts opening all these empty grocery paper bags (back in the day we had brown paper bags) and he began to divide the groceries into all these bags. I remember being curious and so I asked my dad what he was doing. He was busy counting and so I patiently waited for an answer. When he was finally done with filling up all the bags he said "let's go" in Spanish (vamonos). We then took these grocery bags and my dad went from one house to another around town delivering groceries to different families. I remember thinking my dad was the most amazing dad ever! I felt my heart would just explode from the love I felt for my daddy. He cared about the whole world! I was so proud and glad he was my daddy!
I lean on God for everything
In my life, I rely on God for everything because my father taught me how to depend on my Heavenly Father. I Pray about everything and anything. As a child I was always sick and I would have horrible nightmares and was always running a fever or I had an earache. I remember my dad praying for me and he would softly sing "how great thou art" in Spanish (of course) "Cuan Grande Es El" and to this very day this is, in fact, one of my favorite hymns of all time. I still pray and sing songs when I am sick because it reminds me of what my dad taught me as a kid. He also instilled in me this verse that has remained with me well into my adult years "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). I am a firm believer that I can do anything I set my mind to if I put God first in my life, then all good things will follow.
Carrying on a beautiful legacy
My dad was murdered in 1980. I felt like my whole world was gone. The pain of losing my dad was just horrible. I remember standing in front of his casket and singing at his funeral. I remember the people standing in line to see him, people were lined up all the way outside of the church as they patiently waited their turn to get in to see him. People, still today, share with me many stories about my dad and how my dad had been instrumental in leading them and their families to the Lord. I am really proud that my father is still thought of today by all those that knew him. He touched and impacted many lives and they continue to share those beautiful memories of my dad with their children and grandchildren. I make it a point and use any opportunity I get to share my faith and encourage people to trust in the Lord. I use my social media accounts to share my faith and beliefs.
You can make a difference
Over the years, I learned, that you do not have to be rich or have a lot of resources to make a difference in someones life. A kind word, a warm hug, a kind smile, just these few simple things can make a world of a difference for someone that is going through a rough patch in their lives. My dad used his heart and he knew how to listen to God's voice and the Holy Spirit in everything he did in his life. It is because of all this, that his love for God lives on today in the lives of all his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all the lives and souls he touched while here on this earth. Another thing that I learned from dad and I learned it well, he truly believed in this verse and so do I: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21). I try to live my life as exemplary as I can for others to see the love of God through me as others saw it through my dad. My father fulfilled his purpose on earth. In his lifetime, he brought thousands of souls to Christ and left us (his family and friends) with many cherished and wonderful memories. A life with a purpose is better than a life without a purpose. To me, my Dad's Christian Legacy, is by far worth more than all the gold or riches of this world.
Food for thought:
Love with all your heart and never tire of doing good.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Food for thought:
Love with all your heart and never tire of doing good.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
