Daddy Lang: What A Cake, A Fork and A Two-Year-Old Taught Me About God’s Will
In 2003, my sister and her family came from the Philippines to visit us.
One day, I was sitting in the living room mindlessly watching tv. My brother-in-law, Kuya Nicol, was having a late lunch. Yannick, my then two-year-old nephew, wanted to see what his daddy was eating. Kuya Nicol picked up Yannick and sat him on the table. Soon enough, Yannick spied on the chocolate cake across from him.
"Cake! Cake!" He eagerly yelled. Quick as a flash Yannick lunged for his dad’s fork. But quicker was his dad who firmly, but gently, caught Yannick’s hand.
"Daddy lang, Yannick." Kuya Nicol said. He picked up the fork, sank it into the chocolate cake, carved out a sizable piece and gave it to Yannick who had his cute little mouth in a big O.
"Mmm-mmmm," Yannick said with 100% satisfaction.
My breath caught in my throat. "That’s how you are with us, your children, Lord!" I thought.
My attention totally diverted from the tv, I reflected some more on the scene that had just unfolded in our kitchen.
Many times I acted like my nephew. If I wanted something, anything that I think would give me pleasure or happiness, I would ‘grab the fork‘ immediately and not consider the consequences. Many times as I reached for my dreams or certain goals I would stubbornly follow my will, my way only to end up bruised, hurt and fearful to try again, doubting myself and my abilities.
But just like Kuya Nicol who told Yannick, "Daddy lang," I realized that God always tells me the same thing, "Rio, my child, let Me do it. Let Me be your strength. Let My will be done."
"Surrender your will to mine and give me your desires for only I can fulfill them beyond your wildest imagination, beyond your impossible dreams. Without me you can do nothing, but with me nothing is impossible. I want to lavish you with my riches. I’ve given you My Son, have I not? Give me your life and you shall have it more abundantly."
That day with the cake, a fork and my two-year-old nephew helped me realize to set my sights on better things than a chocolate cake, be present to opportunities I’m given, keep reminding myself to give up my fork to Daddy, and let my Daddy’s will be done.
Mmm-mmmm, sounds good to me! Thanks, Daddy!
