God’s Love In Action
As many of you all know, my Dad, Rudy, went home to be with God last year (November 27th), and in the days after his passing, we were blessed to hear countless people share about the impact he made on their lives. One of those beautiful souls who spoke from the heart was my bestie Chel! Her words remind us that in the end, LOVE matters most.
And as I read back her reflection, I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 13 which tells us: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing…” And I also hear the profound words of bell hooks, scholar, writer activist who told us: “Love is an action word.”
Dad’s life is a testament to the legacy of love he left. God is always calling us to live AWAKE and extend LOVE to everyone across differences!
We know Chel’s heart-centered writing will touch you all, and it felt like the perfect piece to share as we honor love in the month of February.
I've pretty much stayed silent about this, letting my sister/bestie @praywithourfeet speak on it first. And what she said was absolutely beautiful. If you haven't checked out her post, on her blog and IG, please do. She captured the essence of "our" Dad perfectly. Although it only scratches the surface of who he truly was. He left an indelible mark on everyone whose lives he touched.
On Sunday Nov 27th, my best friends dad went home to be with the Lord. What most people don't know is, he was like a Dad to me, too.
I met my BFFL (now sister) when I was 9 years old. She immediately became the big sis I wanted to be just like. Okay, she's only 18 days older than me. I looked up to her for everything, though. Her little brother, Dave, became my little brother. And (gratefully) her mom became my Mama.
But the Dad part was tricky, because my parents were divorced and at one point my father was absent from my life for 10 years. So there was a hole in my heart in that area & issues.
But GOD....
The Lord knew I needed Papa Rudy. I didn't call him that then. That's only been a recent thing in the last couple of years. But they all became my adoptive family in my heart.
I ended up staying w/ them A Lot. They always included me whenever they went on trips, overnights, day trips, celebratory dinners, etc. I was one of the family. What is so endearing is Papa Rudy introducing me at his job picnic. He said: "these are my kids Emelda, David, and Michelle."
There were other times that he acted in the stead of my Dad.
When I was 19, he came to my job to stop me from being bullied & sexually harassed. He told them (in Spanish, no less!) that I was his daughter & made certain that I would not be harassed again.
Mama Trudy & Papa Rudy were the real life Huxtables to me. They had an incredible marriage of faith, friendship , love, joy & teamwork. I am forever grateful to Jesus for them.
Today I publicly honor you, Papa Rudy.
Although I never told you this: THANK YOU for being my Dad, too. I love you so.
Chel also put together an AMAZING and loving tribute to Dad (released a day before what would have been Mom and Dad’s 44th wedding anniversary)!! You can watch it here on her YouTube channel Chel’s Reel Life.
Chel is a“Jesus-Lovin', chronic illness warrior who started her channel to create content that encourages others to BOLDY live out their dreams and reach their goals, no matter what physical, emotional or mental trials life brings.” She is also an actress, creative entrepreneur, writer, and singer committed to living fully and in her purpose! You can also connect with Chel on Instagram @chelsreellife.