By: Joske Malloy
My siblings and I grew up shooting papayas with bows and arrows, hunting each other with the spears we ourselves had carved, and climbing coconut trees in search of grasshoppers about, as long as a smart phone, to roast in the fires we stoked and enjoy as a tasty snack.
My missionary parents, worked for over 15 years with primitive, stone age tribes in the thick rainforest of West Papua Indonesia (Irian Jaya). We were the only foreigners for many miles around.
In all my memories of growing up and finding my way in life, as a missionary kid and later pastor ‘s kid, the presence of Dad was very evident. He was firm and calm, a wise counselor, influential yet tender with his corrections, humble and gentle, always looking for peace, readily extending a helping hand, ever generous and abundant, with great integrity, strong in his convictions, righteous yet merciful, fierce in his protection, always there to hear us out, stirred by the suffering of others, compassionate, determined to live up to the expectations of God, his Heavenly Father.
My Dad, no matter where we were set a vivid example of what being a Father is all about as he directed and guided us to finding our identity and developing a vision on how to impact this world by living a life of significance. My relationship with him laid a firm foundation in how I relate to God as my Father. There is a deep knowing within me that He is only capable of blessing me and giving me all that pertains to life and greatness.
My Dad’s love for the lost and the less fortunate nations of the world was planted as a seed within my life. Following his footsteps, I found myself, not many years later on the mission fields of Latin America serving the Lord. It was in the isolated, war torn villages of Honduras where I met Rocky, my wonderful husband, who now is a Dad to our five. I have the privilege and honor to watch him grow into his role as a Father. He does it somewhat different, yet in so many ways he is so similar to how my Dad looked after us. I am so proud of who he is as a Dad and moved by how he cares for our children, always giving them the best he has. Setting a living example
These thoughts on the three Dads in my life: God, my eternal, Heavenly Father, Dad, my temporal, earthly Father and Rocky, Father of our children, stirs me to write the following words:
Dear Dad,
Your love unmeasurable, nothing to compare it with,
Although impalpable, so tangible and real.
Your admiration for your children quickens my heart,
And plants in me the desire to honor you and tell the world who you are.
Your all out interest in your children so sincere and readily available,
Comforts my soul and gives me the confidence that all indeed is possible.
Your strong yet gentle corrections, so free of judgement
Humbles and redirects your children to the paths of righteousness,
Although at times they resist and rebel your confidence in them unwavering
Makes finding the way back for them attractive and desirable.
Your children long for your approval, encouragement and assurance.
Your children yearn to become like you, walking in the confidence you emanate.
Your children desire your counsel, knowledge, insight and wisdom.
You are their example, their guide, their coach, their hero, but most of all you are DAD.
We love you Dad, Have a Wonderful Day.
