my unconditional & unconventional dad
- Chelsea Chaisson
- Sep 16, 2019
- 4 min read
Today I am in Siem Reap, waiting for my taxi to bring me back to Poipet. Yesterday I dropped my dad off at the airport. He should be arriving in Louisiana later this evening.
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There I release special ministry and personal related news to cast vision on all that God’s doing around me.
For my blogs, I reserve this space to process thoughts and things of God on this faith journey I am on.
I hope each outlet I utilize, whichever you choose, encourages you!
I couldn’t have asked for a better time with my dad.
I’m still in awe that the Lord allowed him to come and be with our little Poipet community for a little under 3 weeks.
I miss him already but what his presence reminded me of and taught me will remain with me.
My dad taught me to be present.
He taught me there’s always enough time in the day to be available not only to God but to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
My dad taught me that it’s okay to be sick but to some times keep the goal in mind and push through anyways.
My dad taught me not to hide my talents or run away from opportunity but to remember the original purpose of being at a place and sticking to things that flow within those bonds.
My dad taught me it’s okay to disagree with other while listening but remaining true.
My dad taught me to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, some folks just need a fathers heart to remind them that they are just a kid too.
My dad taught me to love others without limit and to give more than you receive.
My dad taught me that if I’m going to sing or preach then to do it with all that I have in me.
My dad taught me that you can teach an old dog new tricks (with me he wouldn’t try much out of the ordinary foods, with others he would...but I did get him to try dragon fruit).
My dad taught me it’s okay to be exclusive and inclusive all at the same time.
My dad taught me that it’s not about what I could do for him but more that when I was with him I needed to be fully present.
My dad taught me to cry and to not hold back emotions even just moments before saying goodbye.
My dad taught me to worship and love God with all that I am and to stick to my guns.
My dad reminded me to run with every fiber I have and to never give up.
But the main thing my dad did was remind me of my and your everlasting loving and eternal Father God, “the big man upstairs” that’s actually right in the grind with us. With him, we need not perform. He loves you and me, unconditionally and he’s proud of ya whether or not we lift a finger to help him in his work. Just be loved beloved.
Here are pictures from our special time that words will never do justice explaining. I hope when you see them you just see the goodness of our God bringing unity, family, friends, fathers, unconditional love, and God’s presence in every frame.
Below: 1) me and my dad listening to a lecture in the BIBLE CORE COURSE during the book of Acts class
2) my dad’s promo pics for him preaching about “the father’s heart“ @our community night to our English students; His smile says it all!
3) me and my dad on a moto (just before a mishap actually) I was pumped he trusted me enough to be my passenger!
Final photos from me and my dad leading worship or him preaching at various YWAM base worship services or a local Filipino house church service; to my dad’s first exotic fruit testing experience, he actually likes dragon fruit! & the last photos show my dad on his first Tuk tuk ride on his first day in Cambodia.
Dear dad, if you are reading this, which I know you aren’t but rather mom is reading it to you...I love you and you have been and will be one of my very best friends. I’m pumped to spend some time this Christmas and beyond with you Sha. See you soon and I’m so proud of you/ thankful you came. It truly brought just enough courage into my heart and soul to finish this race strong in faith, just like my dad.
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❤️✝️🙏🏻