My Papa, My Superhero

Today is Father's Day and I thank God for the gift of my father who has been my superhero, a Christ-like role-model and a true Man of God! My father, Ignatius Ben Julianose taught me a lot of things but even more so, he showed me a lot of things and even more so, he guided and guarded me through my ups and downs growing up, and all of this, he continues to do so consistently. Here are a number of the top things I thank God for whenever I think of or pray for my Papa.

1. "Husbands should love their wives, just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her " - Ephesians 5:25

The first thing that I thank God for when I think about my father is the way in which he truly loves his wife, my mother. From as long as my memory can date back, my father has loved, guarded, honored and appreciated the gift of his wife. He has always taken into consideration her opinions, spent quality time with her, been by her side, supported her desires and most importantly, prayed for and with her. That love which he has showed and continues to show toward his wife, our mother has truly been a great reminder of Christ love for His Church in a very special and unique way.

2. Tireless sacrifice

My father tirelessly sacrificed a lot for his family. I could list countless examples here but the one that strikes out would be the following. When I was bed-ridden and admitted in Ipoh, my father used to accompany me at night because truth be told, I was not only too afraid of being left alone, I was also too physically vulnerable to be alone. The point is this, He used to stay the nights on a rather uncomfortable lazy chair, arise around 5.30am, get ready and leave for work, which is a half-an-hour drive away, back in my hometown. He would then work till evening and return to the hospital before dinner. He did this week-in, week-out without a single hint of complain. When he kept me company, He used to either let me listen to some music, watch some TV shows with me or read me certain true stories which were usually inspiring ones of physical recovery and miraculous healings.

3. Persistent hope and faith

When I could not walk, when all hope was fading away, when I was getting worse, when the rest of my family was breaking down, my father stayed strong not only for me, but for all of us. He never shed a tear. He pressed on, led us on with such perseverance and hope. This reminds me of the Gospel accounts of the group of friends carrying their paralyzed friend to Jesus.(Luke 5:17-23) They did all they could to bring him to Jesus even to the extent of carrying him onto the roof and lowering him into the house. My parents sought to get me back on my feet again by seeking doctors, alternative medication but even more so, chapels, churches, prayers of priests, prayer warriors and prayer groups. I could not bring myself to all these because I did not have the willingness or capacity but my family did, they literally carried me just like the faithful friends of the paralyzed man in the gospels did and took me anywhere they could and my father, as head of the Family, led the way. Speaking of literally carrying me, following is an interesting fact of how God bestowed upon my father supernatural power.

4. An anointed man and a channel of grace

Usually, when I was to be transported from bed to wheelchair or wheelchair to car or any of that sort, it would require at least 8-10 porters, nurses or physiotherapists. This was because the spasms that I had on the whole right side of my body was so vigorous that it was nearly impossible to carry me. They would place me on a draw sheet and transfer me. Even when it was that many people, and however many times they had done it, these poor hospital staff use to end up losing balance. This was the case at hospitals. However, when I was at home, it was my family who had to do it and it was my father who took the most of the weight. He used to carry my upper and middle body while my mum or sister supported my legs and thanks to His divine intervention, they managed to transfer me from one place to another, with my father bearing most of my physical weight and involuntary movement. Yet again, he never once complained.

5. A real man of God!

My father has been a real man of God that I really look up to. He is so loving, patient, kind, supportive, prayerful, exemplary in his speech and conduct and just like St.Joseph, not a man of many words but surely, a man to his words. He has been faithful and always kept his promises, just like God the Father does for all of us. He loves his wife and children beyond any speck of doubt just like Christ loves His Church. He knows when to remain silent and when to speak up, when to step in and when to step out, when to be firm and when to crack some jokes and it is all because his trust is not in himself, not in he who is living in the world but in Him who lives inside of Him, the Holy Spirit! I praise the Triune God for the gift of my Papa and I wish you a Blessed Father's Day once again, Papa! May he continue to equip you and strengthen you so that you can continue to be a mighty instrument for his glory and be an inspiration to many out there especially your fellow Men of God!

Happy Father's Day to all fathers out there!