Startled and scared, I sat up in bed half asleep but with my heart pounding in my chest.  What was that noise outside?  

I took me a minute and then I identified the noise: fireworks. These aren’t the colorful Independence Day fireworks you might think of in the U.S., but just a round of noises that can sound like gun fire. After the fireworks, the music started. What were they celebrating? Then I heard it in the song. They were celebrating the father at the house next door. Father’s Day is always June 17 in Guatemala, and although I hadn’t heard of celebrations like this before for Father’s Day, they are very common for Mother’s Day. I still am not sure how that is a gift to a mom or dad, but I am likely looking at in from my own cultural bias. 

They were directly outside, so I guessed they were in front of is my neighbor’s. I didn’t go out to confirm. They have a son with a disability. During the pandemic, Shes and I have heard the dad teaching his son different things, and at other times we’ve heard the son relax with his own combination of US classics. Sometimes, with the music, it’s disorienting, trying to remember where I am. 

Despite being startled awake earlier than I intended, I found myself with a smile on my face. How appropriate to give thanks. It reminded me of the many fathers I’ve seen in the physical therapy program at ASELSI and other countries over the years: the ones who stayed with their wives and stuck out the difficulties and did all they could to make sure their son or daughter received the care they needed. 

I thought of the man who would get up at 3am, carry his daughter with severe cerebral palsy on her back for 1-3 hours, depending upon where he could catch the bus, and take a 1-2 hour bus ride to ASELSI for the hour treatment for his daughter. Then he’d turn around and go home knowing he had several hours of work when he returned.

Or the dad who purchased his son a car. His son would never be able to drive it without a miracle from God, but he was tired of the way people looked down upon and spoke about his son on the public transportation. He was so proud to have this car for his son. This same dad took his sons to the AA meetings he attended and shared about how that encouraged and impacted the lives of the men there.  I love these stories!

So, why are these fathers’ stories and others so encouraging to me? They show me a glimpse of the love of our heavenly Father. I’m so thankful that God the Father extends so much patience, love, mercy, kindness and grace on us, on me.  

So today, I give thanks for my own dad, (Check out last year’s blog here.) all these fathers, and many more. I give thanks for the men that have shown us glimpses of the Father and for the Father who has revealed himself to us and calls us His own.