24 Feb Never Too Late for a New Beginning
Tatay Boy suffered a stroke, which left him with a speech impediment and a body that’s half-paralyzed. Today, he stands tall as a proud member of God’s mighty army.
No, this is not a story of physical healing, but of a renewal of one’s soul. It is a story of salvation. A living proof that with unceasing prayer and unwavering faith, God listens and answers. This is Tatay Boy’s story, as recounted through the eyes of his son, TJ.
It was in 2008 when Tatay Boy and his family first attended Sunday services in one of the Victory congregations, giving them an idea of who Jesus is. However, Jesus is remained just that – an idea. They were Sunday church-goers, nothing more, nothing less.
In March 2011, six days before Tatay’s 60th birthday, he suffered a stroke, which forced him into early retirement. Tatay rarely went to church and the rest of the family would just go to any church whenever they felt like doing so.
Fast forward 2014, the family started attending services in Victory Greenhills. They finally had a home church where they built lasting friendships and a developed deeper understanding of who Christ is – for TJ and his mother, at least. As for Tatay, he remained as a Sunday church-goer.
During the 2016 Dare to Believe Prayer and Fasting, TJ and his family dared to believe God for Tatay’s complete healing and salvation. While the San Gregorios were standing in faith, believing and praying for both, God moved and gave them something better at that time. He restored their family. Bonding, open communication, and laughter now filled their home. The happiness that was stolen from them in 2011 was replaced with peace, love, and inexplicable joy.
Indeed, God knew what was best for them. While the story could happily end here, God amazes us yet again. When He answers prayers, He does so in completion.
Full circle. No stones left unturned.
Right after January 2017’s Prayer and Fasting, God immediately answered their prayer – Tatay finally wanted to have a real relationship with Christ. A Victory Group leader, Jun Navarro, befriended Tatay and invited him to join a Victory Group. While Tatay was hesitant and ashamed of his speech impediment, the support of his family and his new friends in church encouraged him to pursue Christ.
When God knocks on your heart, you just have that overwhelming and compelling urge to open it and let Him in.
Tatay did, and eventually went through One2One. In just a several weeks of starting his discipleship journey, TJ noticed a change in his dad’s heart. Anger turned to joy, resentment turned to positivity, and bitterness turned to peace.
At Victory Greenhills’ first Victory Weekend of 2017, Tatay proudly stood as a participant. Unfazed by his disability and age, he eagerly attended, intently listened, and actively participated. Like a child on his first day of school, Tatay excitedly told his family stories of what he learned and the new friends he made.
As TJ recounted, “During one of the sessions, I, as a victory group leader, was called to minister to all participants. When I saw Tatay, arms raised, eyes closed, tears of gladness in his face… I became so emotional. I froze and stood there, crying, in awe of how God indeed makes miracles happen.”
“It was a sight to behold – seeing your father giving his all to Christ. For someone so big and strong, to be vulnerable, like a child, surrendering everything to God… it was amazing,” TJ continued.
During the water baptism, Tatay was told to have a seat. He would just be prayed over and water would be sprinkled on him.
He refused.
He refused to be treated differently. He wanted to go all in. Nothing could stop him, not even his swollen leg nor his paralysis.
Assisted by 5 men, Tatay waded into to the water and publicly declared Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Not a dry eye was to be found in the pool area.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39, ESV
No. Nothing. Not even age nor paralysis.
A long and winding journey it may have been, but now, Tatay’s story is a testament of God’s goodness and faithfulness. God restores relationships, answers prayers, and pursues you into having a real relationship with Him. As the bible tells us, He makes everything beautiful in His time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
He alone shall be praised! Like, comment, and share this post to bring encouragement to someone.
We’d also love to hear from you! We invite you to share stories of how amazing our Heavenly Father is.
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