More from Quennie Joyce Ibarra

A Legacy of Faith: Joy Comes in the Morning

My recently published meditation was entitled “A Servant's Heart.” I shared there how my grandfather, who pastored a local congregation for the past twenty years, passed away and left the fellowship (along with our biological family) grieving.

A few months later when I wrote that meditation, my husband said yes to the call of shepherding this beloved and bereaved congregation. For the past one and a half years, he has been pastoring our humble fellowship. I praise God for the way God models servanthood while leading us. God’s commitment and example have encouraged us to be faithful and steadfast in following Jesus through life’s trials. And I, as God’s wife, am endlessly amazed at how God orchestrates everything for God’s glory and the good of God’s people.

Last New Year’s Eve, my parents-in-law, who came from the far-north of the country, visited us and stayed with us for the holiday. Their presence and testimonies blessed us, and they’ve seen for themselves God’s work in and through the life of their son. It was simply a special moment. Truly—though the sorrow may last for a night, joy comes in the morning. My grandfather has finished his race, but the legacy of faith that he left with us, we will always hold and carry until the Lord also calls us home.

As I walk alongside my husband in this calling, as we serve together, I am amazed at how our little three-year-old boy has also been watching us. He sits beside us during Bible study, and we get surprise thought-provoking questions from him. Naturally he joins in the discussions as he answers whenever his Tatay poses questions.

As my husband is pursuing pastoral work in the church, I praise God that he is firstly our pastor at home. We don’t have everything figured out, but I’m immensely grateful that he is intentional in discipling me and our children, spending time studying the Bible and praying with us, and being present with us.

May the Lord bless not only our present generation, but even the generations after us.