In My Father's House...

Pathway leading to the lanai, in my father's house

In My Father's house are many mansions;
if it were not so I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.
...that where I am there you may be also.
John 14: 2,3

After waiting for eight hours at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Ernie and I were finally on board our Manila-bound flight by 1:00 a.m. on May 1. We reached our destination three hours later.

At Suvarnabhumi Airport

We hadn't really slept much in the past 24 hours, but upon arriving in Manila several exciting activities were already awaiting us.

Day 1. First in the agenda was breakfast with our only daughter who was home that day, May 1 being an official holiday. Needless to say, it was a sweet reunion with her; the last time we saw her was four months ago.

Lunch was at Antonio's, a gourmet restaurant in scenic Tagaytay City. Again, it was another lovely reunion with Ernie's sister and brother-in-law.

At Antonio's

Dinner with my sister followed by an overnight stay at a famous hotel in Metro Manila capped our first day back home. A beautiful hotel suite overlooking the historic EDSA, a warm bath, and a comfortable bed were just what our travel-weary bodies needed most at this time.

Day 2. A delightful buffet breakfast with my sister. Shopping at the Global City followed by lunch at Via Mare with Ernie's sister and brother-in-law. Ernie left for Bacolod City after lunch, but as planned I stayed behind in Manila for a few more days.

A Delightful Buffet Breakfast

By evening, I was back in my father's house.

--0--

The past few days had been a whilrwind of activities for me: closing ceremonies for my English classes, packing our suitcases, attending to all the last-minute details of preparing our university flat for our two-month absence. Then finally, embarking on the long journey back home, and all the in-between time while in transit.

My adrenaline was pumping, so I didn't realize how tired I really was. But just arriving at the house that is somehow still home to me after all these years had such a calming effect on me. It felt so good to be back in my father's house.

My parents have long been gone. Many of the furniture have been re-arranged. The kitchens have been remodelled, and a spacious lanai was built by my sister where the backyard terrace used to be.

Despite the changes, the house has retained its sense of home. The piano still stands in the front room, and my father's photograph taken when he was a young man still hangs on our living room wall. Many of his plants in the garden that he loved so much are still alive and well.

Indeed, I could still see my father's touch, feel his presence, and remember the warmth of his love.

What a legacy of kindness, gentleness, and sensitivity my father has left behind!

If there's one thing I'll always be grateful for, it is for what my father gave me -- a deep sense of self-worth and confidence in myself.

My life is rich with father memories that I will carry in my heart forever. He believed in me, he was proud of me. My father loved me. He loved his wife. He loved my sister. He loved his family. He was faithful to us. He, together with my mother, provided for our needs, and made our home a happy place to live in and come home to.

He never demeaned anyone, never spoke harshly to us. The word of kindness was always on his tongue. He was Patience personified.

It was the example of my earthly father that made it easy for me to recognize the love of my heavenly Father. And because of what I experienced, it was not difficult for me to trust God and turn my life over to Him.

Thanks to Papa I don't think I have father wounds that many women struggle with for the rest of their lives.

It was in December 1973 when God became more than just a word to me. I opened my heart to God my Creator, my Redeemer, my Father!

What a faithful signpost my father was! He fathered us in such a way that pointed us to our true and eternal Father.

Being back in my father's house is a little reminder of what it means to live in eager anticipation of someday coming home to where my heavenly Father lives.