Posted on by Nancy Gavilanes

Gripped By God’s Grace (Part 5) – Celebrating My Dear Dad Two Years Later

How in the world does this month mark two years since my Dear Dad’s promotion to Heaven?

It’s been quite a journey filled with ups and downs, highs and lows, and tears and joy.

God has been so faithful to see me through it all.

My Dear Dad left such an indelible mark on me over the years that it’s almost like he’s still here.

I got to know my Dad rather well over the years, so I can try to guess or imagine how he would respond or react to certain news and situations.

I KNOW he’d be celebrating that I’ve signed my first book deal and that I’m teaching five classes at a Bible school based on my books.

I KNOW he’d want me to keep going and enjoy my life.

He wouldn’t want me wallowing in sorrow. And so, I still honor and remember my Dad fondly and with joy.

I’m grateful to God for the years of wonderful memories and so grateful to know my Dear Dad is with my Heavenly Father.

It’s so comforting knowing he’s rejoicing with God.

I also find comfort in helping to keep his memory alive my talking about him and sharing memories.

I appreciate my Dad’s love and hard work for us even more as time passes.

Finding photos and souvenirs and cards are like finding treasure 💕

So how am I doing?

Ok, by the grace of God.

Here’s a few things that are helping:

  • I still enjoy wearing jewelry and clothes my Dad gave me as a way to honor him and his culture.
  • I still enjoy sharing memories and photos of him.
  • I enjoy certain foods and songs that remind me of him.
  • I still dream with my Dad often. I don’t mind (I dream with lots of other people too).

Here are some things that are still a struggle:

  • I still haven’t watched videos except for the Merry Christmas greeting. I want to save the videos for another time.
  • There’s still a song I refuse to listen to.
  • There’s still a few of our fave places I’m not ready to go back to.

There’s no real rhyme or reason to grief.

But God’s grace is sufficient!

And God’s comfort is real:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Life is never the same, but it does go on by the grace of God.

If you’re in the thick of it, keep letting God heal and comfort you. Reach out to a professional if you need to 💕

Making me smile with lots of memories. That’s My Dad 💖

Here’s a recent tribute I’d like to share:

Celebrating My Dear Dad – Dinners With My Dad Edition🎉 So grateful for all the lovely dinners I had with My Dad. We liked exploring new places but also had our favorite spots. We’d go out on special occasions or just to catch up, especially after he or I had been traveling. I have tons of photos to treasure and that I’ll share every now and again. My Dad had a hearty appetite and enjoyed a great meal and great conversation. Chowing down and conversing with me … That’s My Dad 💖

Pic taken at an Ecuadorian restaurant that had recently opened (pre-pandemic). My Dad loved showing his support for his gente 🇪🇨 and local businesses 👊

If you’d like to learn a little more about my Dear Dad and some of our travels, check out, By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad.

If you’d like to read some more of my tributes and learn about some of what’s helped me through this grief journey, check out the blog post links below or Season 6 of the Abounding Faith for Today podcast. I pray you’ll be encouraged on your own grief journey.

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