To all the people I love

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick. This is true not only for marriage but also for all our relationships.....And old cars..... And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep – because these some things will make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends and most especially your family knows you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow

I LOVE YOU!!!

Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised..

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth".  Proverbs 27:1 

Have a blessed day everyone..... 

Worth waiting for

Time flew so fast…in just few days another month will soon begin…how many days? How many months will I still wait? Are you still coming? Does it still worthy to wait? If yes then until when….

Those are the words we always utter once we are tired of waiting for something or someone to come. Its just like it has no end. We keep on murmuring and complaining and soon it result for us to quit and do the quickest way that will later on bring only harm to us.

Remember the time during our school days that we have to wait in line? We had to lined up to go to our next classroom, to the cafeteria, to the drinking fountain and even wait for our turn to be noticed by our teachers once we need help.

Even today we are still waiting. We stand in line at the bank, to the grocery, our queue at the taxi stand and even in our prayers we still waiting to be answered.

Waiting for something or someone to come is hard. It takes a lot of courage to stand firm for what you believe in to come.

But there is one wait that I'm sure is worth waiting for.

Those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYES

Today is our office boy annual vacation and we don’t have any choice but to take the task of maintaining our office cleanliness. As we sweep the floors, dust the shelves and dry the sink, I cant help but take a deep breathe because of the way he cleans the office. What he cleaned only is those visible to his eyes and he forgot to check what is underneath in each tables and shelves.

In our life and probably in our situation right now, we only tend to focus on what is outward, on what we have seen with our eyes. Those things that are in front of us at the moment and we forgot to see those things beyond.

We focus on material things, things that will give us temporary pleasure and happiness. Things that can be easily rotten or stolen to us. Things that we only wanted now and later on you don’t need or used them anymore. But what is evitable with human eyes is that's what is most important and with far greater value. That is our relationship with our God, the creator and author of our life. The perfector and finisher of our faith. He is much more important than any riches and wealth this world has to offer.

As the Lord said in His word in Matthew 6:19-20 - Do not store up for yourselves treasures one earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Let us not forget that our citizenship is not here on earth , we are just a mere wanderer. A visitor that will soon be return to his motherland and that is in HEAVEN.

Lord forgive us if we tend to focus our eyes on what we only see and forgot to look for what is beyond. Help us to focus only to YOU and what is waiting for us in Your kingdom. May we strive hard to lay down our treasures in heaven where they will be safe in Your mighty hands. In Jesus name, AMEN.

A MUCH GREATER PLAN

I had been working in the same company since the time I set my feet here in UAE in 2006. My salary is not that big, just enough for all my needs. I met lots of pressures, problems, stress, discouragement and most of the times I want to give up. Pack up my things and go back to the Philippines. But through all of this, God is always there to remind me of His greater plan in my life. Here in UAE, He used me to the fullest, He show me things that are beyond my expectation and understanding. He allowed me to pass on trials and difficulties, for me to experience in sovereignty and power. He bring people and circumstances to strengthen my faith and show His mighty works in my life.

Life is not about money, it not about your career, it not about how much your earnings nor how much your savings now. Life is all about Christ, His purpose and His will in our life.

As I ponder through  God's word today, He again reminded me of His great purpose and plan in our life. That is to be used for His glory and of course for His kingdom alone.

Our life here on earth is with great purpose. When God created man in His own image His very purpose for man to be Christ like. To live a holy life and bring glory unto His name. And when time comes that He bring us home we will all be under His lordship.

God's greater plan for us may not be to leave our occupation. But it's His plan that we use or time, talents, resources and careers to bring others into the Kingdom.

God has a purpose and plan for your life

When from sin's burden He's given release

As an ambassador nor for the Lord

Go and tell other of His perfect peace - Hess

papo, inay, inang and tatang

Today the world is celebrating GRANDPARENTS DAY, and I want to take this opportunity to let people know how blessed I am to have such a wonderful grandparents. Though they already in God’s hand and I know that they are happy right now , still I missed the times that they are here and longing to be with them again and feel their touch. I want the whole world to know how much I love them and if I will be given another chance to be with them again I will gladly accept the opportunity. With them I experienced the joy of being a kid and feel the warmth of their love.

Papo – wish you’re still here. Thank you for making me feel special. Thank you for all the laughter. I’m very sorry if I’m not able to take care of you during your last days but you know how much I love you. If there will be one thing that I will ask the Lord it is that you were still with us. Every time I will pass by a newspaper stand and saw crossword puzzle it’s you who always comes in my mind. You are one of the few men I really admired.

Inay - thank you for the way you show your love to us. You may be strict and sometimes “masungit” but still we love you. Because of you I have a mother every daughter longs for. And the way your children grew up and how they managed now their own family is all because of you.  I will always cherish the moments I have with you and able to take care of you. The song “Beauty and Madness” reminds me of you. It’s the only song that you liked to  played on  over and over again during the time that you are about to leave us and be with papo.

Inang – you’re delicious “dinuguan” is want I always longs for. Thank you for taking care of us during the time that Dy was sick and Ma was pregnant. The lowest point of our life and yet you were there for us inspite being in your old age and also sick that time. I also remember the time you  already went home with our Lord, it was 3:00 in the afternoon and I was in school then when suddenly I felt cold air embracing me it was then I learned later on that you already gone that time.

Tatang – though we never got a chance to know each other, still I’m grateful and thankful for carrying your name. Your legacy that you leave to your children will be passing on till the future generation. Thank you for molding my father the way he is today.

They say that having your own children is the greatest gift you can give to your parents but didn’t they know that having them as grandparents are the precious treasures we have in our life. With them we can be of our self, they tolerate us yet they are molding us, they give into our every whims and wants , they care for us more that they care for their children, their love is unconditional.

To those who still have grandparents, enjoy single moment with them. Let them feel that they are loved and that they are special. Because time is essential and every moment is important.

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.

My plan or YOUR plan

"When I reached 30 I should have a good career, family, house and lot, car and business.
"Five years from now I should owned a company".
"Two years from now I should be in other parts of world travelling.


Admit it or not we have so many plans, few of them are plans we have for our family or even for others but most of them, plans we have for our self.

From the time we wake up till the time we retire at night we planned everything.

I myself have so many plans and as times passes by most of them still remained plans. It is not that I don’t want to pursue them anymore nor forget them but God always reminding me He has better plan for me.

It is not wrong to make plans, all of us must have because it will push us through to work hard and believe that nothing is impossible but we must remember that we should  submit first our list of plans to God and let His will be done.

For the past few months I'd been laying down to God some of my future plans. And during the early stage God is showing me light that He is approving my plans. Things went out smoothly as planned then suddenly  now it seems that things are going on different ways.

As the Bible said "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21."

God's plan is better than our plans. Though sometimes we think that it is the best for us, but God stored something much more beautiful than what we are planning or dreaming of. It may not be in the way we want it to be, but rest assured it will be the best.

So let us lay down our plans to the Chief Architect of our life and let Him create a magnificent blue print of our life. 

Dear God as I lay down all my plans to you today may your will be done. Teach me Lord to obey you and follow your direction alone. As I wait on you continue to embrace me with your love and give me wisdom to easily understand that everything is under your care. In Jesus holy name. Amen.

Enjoy life with GOD......

Run Through The Rain

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been about 6 years old, a beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, in such a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. Everyone stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the store.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.

I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I get lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little girls voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in

"Mom, let's run through the rain," she said.

"What?" Mom asked.

"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.

"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied

The child waited about another minute and repeated:

"Mom, let's run through the rain,"

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

 "No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"

"Don't you remember?  When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

The entire crowd became silent. It was the type of silence were you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.
The mother paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Some would laugh it off and scold the little girl for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said, but this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. Everyone stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

 

Rain signifies our fears, our problems, our frustrations in life, our shattered dreams, past that keeps on haunting us and hindering us to move forward. We are afraid to run, get soak and enjoy the feeling of being wet. But most of all we forget that there is One up there who will help us to get through it all.

A blessed day to everyone....

BRUISED KNEE

Date: August 30, 2010

Time: 9pm

Place : Qanat Casba Sharjah UAE

Its Teacher Irma's birthday, we had just finished our sumptuous dinner at Lemon grass and we really had a great time until…..

We are waiting for Teacher Agnes and Teacher Sharon to finish their inquiry at the Information counter about the free voucher that we received when the fountain invites me to play with.

But something happened, trying not to get wet I slipped on my feet and my slippers were stuck on the wire mesh I tried to get up but I already bruised my left knee. Like a wounded soldier I stand up, ignore the pain and continue to move on. Later on when I get home that's when I realized the pain my bruised knee brings.

It reminds me of the pains our Lord Jesus Christ endured when he was on his way to the Cross of Calvary. He doesn’t only endured the pain of bruised knees but also the pain of knowing that those people who had been with Him for three years, people whom received healing from Him, people whom He filled not only with physical food but with spiritual food as well are the same people who nailed Him down on the cross.

Every time I  looked at my bruised knee I'm glad that its just temporal. Sooner or later it will fade away, but the hurts and pains that our Savior experienced before will always remained as reminder to us of His great love that He will endure everything just to save us from hell.

 

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5