Sent by Joseph Manzano • Mar 12, 2023
As I write this testimony of God’s love in my life, a lot of things are rushing through my mind. “What should I write about?” “I’m hungry!” “I’m sleepy.” “Is Timmy sleeping already?” “Tempura…”
In a nutshell, I guess this is a snapshot of what the mind of a young father is like nowadays. But to be honest, having been married to Jamie for almost four wonderful years at the time of this writing, juggling between trying to be the best husband, father and teacher has been a challenge. At times it leads to sleepless nights, and sometimes it leads to me crying secretly.
Yet, through all of these challenges of life, I can definitively say, “God’s got my back.”
How can I say that with conviction? Well, here are some examples:
Jamie (a photographer) and I (a teacher) had minimal income. Yet, God provided. We didn’t spend anything from our savings throughout the pandemic. We could actually tell our cell-group, “no thank you, God has provided what we need” when they reached out to ask us if we needed any help.
Being on an ultimate spiritual low, God not only provided me with one but four groups that I could grow with spiritually. One group of men to journey with and be held accountable to. A weekly online bible study with my aunts and uncles in the US. Our DUMC cell-group. And a group of Jesus-loving “forever-friends” that would keep us sane by referring different shows to watch, or exercise regimens to follow whilst locked down.
And lastly…the little guy in the picture above. His name is Timothy Ezra. You can call him Timmy. After having a miscarriage in the midst of the pandemic, God blessed us with him in August 2021. The month before officially going back to work also served as our “confinement” month when I could help Jamie recuperate and adjust. I can only imagine what it would have been like if I only had two weeks paternity leave if everything was normal.
In Philippians 4:6-7 it says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God was there when I needed to be the best husband, father, and teacher I could be. He is with me now. God hasn’t changed since the creation of this world, and I know He will be there tomorrow and until He comes back. Does that mean I will not face any trials, challenges and moments of adversity in the future? NO! It means that I can trust that God will be there for me and my family. It means that I can go through all that life has to offer with hope, peace and joy. All He asks for me to do is to stay close with Him, rest in Him and know that He has my back.
To God be all the glory, honour and praise. Both now and forever.
