Father’s Love [Father’s Day]

Good Day, Beautiful People!

In the South, we are celebrating Father’s Day, first Sunday in September, Spring. We honour and celebrate the men in our world, natural father, spiritual father and Heavenly Father for how they love and shape us. I feel and pray for people who suffer the loss their dads through death or separated due to unforeseen circumstance or choose to remain absent in their lives. Pray for kids that lost their dads, have confident in God, their Heavenly Dad loves them and He deploys angels minister to them, watch over them, protect them and ensure they are safe from any harm cause by evil device. Pray that spiritual Dads will continue to stand in the gap for the spiritual children in their sphere.

The nostalgic side of me pops up especially on special occasion, I can’t help myself but think of my Dad and miss him daily. My Dad had promoted to eternity since 4th March 2004. [My prayer and hope is that he chose grace again before he walked into infinity. I stand in the hope and believe I’ll see you on the other side of eternality.] To the world, you are one nice person who work hard for your family. To us, you are the world.
My Dad, William Soh BT, was born 26th August 1941. Life was never easy and straight forward for him. His Dad died in Second World War. His Mom could not cope financially with three kids. Dad was the youngest and smallest child. Consequently, she gave my Dad up to a distance relative for adoption. Dad was kind, funny at times, generous, strongwill, determined, resilient, strong, serious and industrious man. He worked diligently in the day and persevering studied night classes to upgrade himself for better qualification. He worked his way up to the top of his profession as a Marine Engineer with PSA and SJSY. Looking back, vaguely that at one stage, he was given a great position in a huge company with lots of overseas assignment. He started to make decent money to provide for us. For few years, we hardly see him. He came back home for a short break bought us gifts and flew back to work. It did put a strain in term of long distance relationship between Dad and Mom and us, kids. What a huge sacrifice to ensure our family could move forward to a better standard of living and lifestyle. He missed family and our growing up moments and milestones. Eventually, he gave up the overseas work and chose to take a pay cut and work locally. Dad loved to contribute to community and grassroots level of volunteer serving. He never stop learning new things. He was learning computer course and studying to be Chinese Physician after he retired. He loved different cuisine, attempted to do french cooking and cooked for us special treats when he had free time and when he retired.

My favourite memories was Dad and Mom to bring us out to the parks, beach, movies, zoo and to the islands to visit grandparents (my mom’s parents) during our school holiday and weekend that Dad was available.

My fondest childhood memory was as a family, Dad, Mom and I went to church together. It was a small traditional church. In my flashback, I reminisce that I skip and prance down the aisle trying to choose a seating area at one of the solid mahogony pews. Dad was actively involved in serving as a choir member and as an usher. Dad always suit up, Sunday Best clothes when we headed to church Sunday morning regardless rain or shine. Oh, how we love Sundays! One day, we came back from church he was really upset. He told Mom “From now onward we are not going to church!” I could not remember the reason. I had asked Mom on various occasion she could not tell me the reason Dad got so offended. Mom has a shocking memory. All she said was it happened ages ago, so could not recollect the incident. As a young child, 3 or 4 years old, I didn’t know what was happening. I just knew my happy Sunday morning routine was squashed. Dad was not the same ever. He seemed more aloof, strict, discplinery then approachable. He also has some bad company who influenced him in alcohol and smoking. So thankful, he gave up smoking for us and reduced his alcohol intake later part of his life. I felt that I regained some part of my Dad back.

My Dad taught me to live life to the fullest. Despite of bad breaks, poverty and lousy situation you can rise above that, never give up, never stop learning new things, continual education, be generous to charities and be a contributor to society.

I made a promise myself never be so offended that I cannot forgive, let go and move on. The truth is people will disappoint, betray and offend us from time to time. I’m sure dad was not the only one that walked away from church and God due to offense. Sadly, we like to equated people especially leaders to God’s nature and behaviour.

Our Heavenly Dad is way more loving, caring, bigger, stronger, protective than any natural and spiritual dads can ever be. He loves us that much to give us His only son, Jesus and the freedom to choose whether to accept His love. Well knowing we may not love Him back at all. How deep is Heavenly Dad’s love! How vast is His love!