My Heavenly Dad

by Moises "Mc Halley" Alvarado II

If you would have told me I will be a father of two more kids after the passing of my son Zackery Mc Nathan in 2011, I would have brushed it aside and say “yeah” with a grin of doubt. The cloud of uncertainty during that time was looming just like dark clouds with little light showing in a tiny break. Truly I have the Lord to thank for the blessing of fatherhood. My growing trust and faith on His grace allowed me to persevere in my belief and not lose hope. Nathan’s passing has caused a void that I filled with God’s loving assurance that He has plans greater than my own. 6 years after, a double stripe on a test revealed God’s promise that I was again about to be a father. This time I received it with mixed emotions. Fear on one side and excitement on the other. Until that 14th of March 2017 a beautiful sight to behold came to be. An almost 9-pounder angel came to our lives. That’s when Halley came. We had no help from the fertility clinic unlike with our first. 1 Corinthians 1:29 “so that no one may boast before Him.” Like David, I faced my giant and trusted God to deliver me.

I am a dad, but my heavenly Dad is not yet done. In 2019, my wife and I took our second honeymoon. It turned out to be God’s way of showering us with a new bundle of Joy. The waiting game was a roller coaster ride. The familiar fear started to creep in but this time my faith in Him, the architect of Life, is stronger and deeper. My prayer is a surrender like the song that goes “Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.” 2020 is the year set for me to meet our little one and the challenges were different brought by the pandemic. Livelihood are greatly disrupted. The many new protocols and must-haves piled up. It is easy to be anxious but I was led to John: 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God.” When the Israelites faced the biggest giant in Goliath, some of them said “he is too big we can’t win. David said He is too big, I can’t miss”. That is how I see the trials ahead. Like David, the giants are too big I can’t miss God’s saving hands. I claim to witness Him with me in this battle. From the fear of being at the hospital (ground zero of this virus), to securing the finances needed despite the scarcity and instability of livelihood, to the fear of the baby’s health given all our birthing history. The sound of nurses footsteps, along with every move of my rosary beads filled the waiting halls of Chong Hua hospital. At 3:00pm, our doctor came out and delivered the news of a healthy Baby Girl “McKayla Dion”, God’s promise. It is amazing to be in the front- row seat witnessing His Goodness and receiving this miracle. My “yeah” of doubt a couple of years ago turned out to be a “yeah” of victory.

The song I mention above is entitled Ocean and in it says as well, “Your grace abounds in deepest waters. Your sovereign hand will be my guide. Where my feet may fail and fear surrounds me, you’ve never failed and you won’t Start now.” I face the future head on as a new father to now 3 girls with God as my armor and shield. I know I can do all things through Him. Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For

all things are possible with God.’

** first published in Ang Panimalay 3Q 2020