No More Thirsty Soul

That "sunshine-after-the-rain" feels. Haha

It is one usual afternoon in Makati. The clock would struck at 4:00 and employees would start rushing to get home. I, on the other hand, am also happy for today is one of those great days. I would go home dry. :')

It's July and as we enter the rainy season, we should also be ready for the hassles of the rain, I do love the rain, but I would think otherwise when it starts soaking my feet and leave me of wet shoes and drenched clothes. But I still thank God for the rain. For it never just washes the earth of its humidity; it is as if God symbolically purifies and quenches our souls.

Puddles. And my pretty foot. :)

As I walk along the tiny puddles that the rain had left, I can never thank God enough of what He had recently did over my life. Like the rain, He once again purified my soul and quench my thirst. Life had been dragging nowadays. This world has a good knack at making people feel inferior, useless, left behind, and rejected. But then again, He reminded me that if I am in Christ, I will never ever be last. In Him, I am a priority: a very worthy person.

Thank God for the rain! Thank Him for the many times He filled your life with joy that only Him could provide. :)

"You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it." - Psalms 65:9

A Story Unfolded: The Courage to See the World Differently

It has been weeks since her life had been changed by an information that honestly, broke her heart. It was one cozy afternoon; when all she knew it will just be a normal day, she received the news that shook her world.

In an instant, all her dreams crumbled down.  If only she could wake up and wish everything is just a horrible dream, she will. But she’s not in one. She’s fully awake. Though the pain did not sink that quickly, she knows she is in reality. All she hears are her sobs. Poor little thing, for one moment she’s happily in love. In a mere split second, she is left with facing the reality that her assumed love is not real. Everything is made up by someone who loves luring people with lies. And for the second time, she gave in.

Her world stopped. She has to face the truth. For four months she had been almost dreaming that happily ever after is at hand. Now, with the numbing pain that woke her up, she doesn’t really know how to face reality.

In people’s eyes, her situation is easy. She can just move on. Just like that.

But in the depths of her aching, once again, broken heart, no words could suffice; no advice could alleviate what she feels at that moment.

How could you face someone you thought loved you?

How could you look at someone who had been your world for the past few months?

How could you accept the fact that everything is but a lie when for the longest time you are all convinced that you are also important to someone?

It’s like undoing everything. It’s like teaching an adult to learn French and telling him to unlearn speaking English. And English had been his mother tongue.

What worsens everything is that, the boy is not someone she can just avoid easily. They share the same world. He is where she always is.

And every now and then, she can’t escape the truth that she can’t avoid seeing him being close to someone else.

For the past she had seen everything in cotton candies and nothing but sweetness. And now, she has to fight the bitter view of the truth. He is with someone else.

She tried to be strong; to act like one, at least. But at the end of the day, like a fuel that would ran out in a car, she found her bravery dripping until it totally ran out. She was again left with the horrible pain. Like her bravery’s a wall, and at the end of the day, it will all totally crumble down. And again she had been left with pain, more and more of pain.

For so long she had been like that. And now, she made up her mind. Though her system would not agree, she decides to look at things the right way in which it should be seen. She decides to look at things through love, through the eyes of God.

Yes she can’t avoid them, no she wouldn’t hide, and she’ll face them. Yes she still feels the pain, no she won’t curse anymore, and she’ll fight everything in a mind over matter manner. It is just a change in perspective. It is just a change in the way she thinks. And she’s more powerful than her emotions and feelings for she has a God who defeated what tries to defeat her today.

She’ll focus on the Lord; all eyes on the One who on the nth time saved her from the danger she blindly walks to. She’ll look at people in the way that God would look at them. In the way of love, patience, peace, at most especially, forgiveness.

No she can’t change things but she decides to change the way she looks and thinks at things.

For it is hard to look at our fallen world with love but as we are once rotten and nearly useless, God looked at us with that utmost love and forgave us. For that is real bravery; to forgive someone, to forgive herself.

She decides to never again live her life miserably. So long as the sun shines and sets, her hopes will be on the Lord. So long as the wind touches her, she’ll treat everyone lovingly. So long as God let her heart beat, she will love.

She’ll be free as the wind. Today she decides to unload the heavy bags she’d carried.

She’ll let God complete her. She’ll let Him have His time till He decides to bring her to her rib owner.

She’ll be contented and she’ll be filled with the love of the Lord. The love that continuously heals her. The love that no one else could provide but God alone.

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-10)

Image courtesy of Google.

Tonight, I Write the Bravest Lines

Makailang ulit na kong nagbura ng napakaraming linya. Ibig kong magsulat; nga lamang, ayaw umayon ng mga ideya at tinta ng aking panulat. As if naman may tinta diba? Haha. Ayan, mananagalog na ko. Baka dumaloy ang mga salita at sa wakas ay makapagsulat din ako.

Napakarami nang nangyari.

Napakarami nang salita ang nabitawan.

Napakarami nang luha ang napunasan.

Napakarami nang puso ang nasugatan.

Emo ‘no?

Napakarami nang laban ang npagtagumpayan at patuloy na ipinaglalaban.

 Lahat tayo ay may kani-kanyang laban na ipinaglalaban. Alam niyo kung ano ang pinakamahirap? Yung mga laban na umaalingaw-ngaw sa ulo mo. Yung mga boses na naghaharian sa isip mo. Yung ilang ulit mo silang gustong patahimikin, andoon at paulit-ulit nilang sasabihin ang mga bagay na ayaw mong marinig. Sisirain ang mga bagay na iyong nakikita; ipapahayag sayo ang mga impormasyong hindi naman talaga tama.

“It’s all in the mind”, ika nga.

Muli, sa huling pagkakataon, talunin mo sila. Patahimikin at patunayang mali.

Hindi ka talunan. ‘Wag kang patatalo sa sarili mong isipan. Nakasalalay ang iyong pagwawagi o pagkatalo sa kalidad ng iyong mga iniisip. At nasasayo ang susi ng isang matagumpay na laban.

Ikaw ay isang taong matagumpay. Dahil may isang Cristo Jesus na namatay sa krus upang mawasak ang lahat ng umaalipin sayo. Pawang kasinungalingan ang paniwalaang ikaw ay kawawa at wala nang pag-asa. Kay Jesus, pag-asa ay makakamtan, pag-ibig ay muling malalasap, at ikaw ay muling babangon sa kailaliman ng dagat na iyong kinasasadlakan.

Ang iyong isipan ang punterya ng kalaban dahil sa sandaling iyong paniwalaan ang lahat ng kanilang kasinungalingan, ikaw ay magiging isang talunan.

Kasinungalingang ikaw ay nag-iisa. Na ikaw ay mahina. Na ikaw ay hindi na makakaahon sa sadlak na buhay na meron ka. Kasinungalingan.

Muli ay tumayo ka. Pagkat napakarami mo pang laban na pagtatagumpayan.

At sa iyong laban, ikaw ay hindi nag iisa. Dahil may isang Cristo Jesus na hindi ka iiwan, kailanman.

Dahil sa krus, lahat ng laban ay tapos at napagtagumpayan na.

SINABI KO ITO SA INYO UPANG KAYO’Y MAGKAROON NG KAPAYAPAAN SA PAKIKIPAG-ISA SA AKIN. MAYROON KAYONG KAPIGHATIAN DITO SA SANLIBUTAN; NGUNIT LAKSAN NINYO ANG INYONG LOOB! NAPAGTAGUMPAYAN KO NA ANG SANLIBUTAN.
Juan 16:33
 Magpasalamat tayo sa Diyos na nagbibigay sa atin ng tagumpay sa pamamagitan ng ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo! 1 Corinto 15:57

What She Never Knew. What The World Prevented Her From Knowing. What God Wants Her to Know.

"She is the crescendo, the final, astonishing work of God. Woman. in one last flourish creation comes to a finish not with Adam, but with Eve. She is the Master's finishing touch." (Captivating. John and Stasi Eldredge)

Woman.

Little did she know how powerful she could be. Little did she know how amazing she is.

From the dust of the earth, God called her. From nothing, God formed her. Through His breath, life began in her. Her heart. Her special, beautiful heart, began to beat. Life. Beauty. Power. All began to transcend.

She possessed beauty that surpassed all creations.

She possessed power her Creator uniquely gave her.

She possessed the message God alone can convey through her.

Unfortunately, never did she imagined she has any of these.

Till one bite. Alters, affects everything.

Lies. Lies. Millions of it. She began to believe all of it.

Then tears. Endless tears began to fall. She began to believe the exact opposite of who she is. And her heart. Oh, her innocent heart. Only God could imagine how many times had it broke.

Until now. She cries. And her heart just keeps on breaking.

Woman. For a second, listen to me.

Life may tell you the opposite. Life may let you be under conditions you never imagined you'd be there. Life may break your heart and break it again. Life may judge you by your weight, bank account, job, relationships, and race. Life may make you feel inferior. Life may accuse you and throw you things you know you've never done. Life may make you feel undeserving. Life may tell you, you are not enough. Life may deprive you of love, privileges, and respect. Life may step on that heart of yours. Life may make you feel weak and worst. Life may reject you in so many ways. Life may force you what beauty is. Life may make you feel worthless. Life may take away your dignity.

For once, do not believe the lies.

You are strong. You are beautiful. You are worthy. You are not a failure. You deserve respect. You deserve honor. You are enough. You are saved. You are not judged. You are loved by almighty God.

God hears your every cry. God hears your heart’s little petitions. He knows you are hurt. He doesn’t want you covering your weakness by the things of this world. He knows the love that you desire.

But my beloved, little do you know any of these. Most of the time you are unaware of His presence. You still try to cover up the wounds with bandage that you thought could stop the pain. Little do you know the wound is still there.

You are not alone. He is near you through every situation that you had been through.

And it is never too late to acknowledge His presence.

You had already heard millions of voices. But none of these cured your wounds.

Allow Him, my beloved.

Allow Him to heal your wounds. Allow Him to speak to you of great Words and promises you long to hear. Allow Him to restore everything that you had lost.

Allow Him to love you.

He is not distant. He is not aloof. He will never reject you. You don’t have to prove anything just to gain His love.

He died for you. What else could He not do?

You are His daughter.

You are a princess.

Be strong my beloved.

Your life is held by the God who holds the universe.

Nothing is ever impossible to Him.

He loves you with a love that only Him could give.

Do not be afraid with that love.

He longs to care for you.

Wipe that tear away. Stand up. Walk like the way you first walked the garden of Edens. Do not be afraid for He is with you.

Forever, He will be with you. You have battles you still have to win.

Be of great courage.

Woman.

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:19-21)

Woman.

20 Things a girl should know before she turns 20

All of what is written here are purely my opinion. I am 21, will be turning 22 this May. And I have seen various articles including the same genre. With such, I am always interested. So I might as well share my part. Haha. Eto po ay lahat ng natutunan ko as the calendar told me I am 20. :) And this post is dedicated to every teenage girl out there. God bless and enjoy reading!

1. Twenty’s are not scary just because you’re leaving teenage life.

Should I say more? I had been once scared of welcoming my 20’s. Pag 19 ka na, andoon yung feeling na last teenage year na. Parang ang laking adjustment. But I dare to say 20’s are not scary. It is a door towards something great.

2. Know what you love doing.

Be it a talent, a hobby, or just anything else. Teenage life may be a mix of scattered plans in life. When you reach 20, when you reach that point where graduation is at hand and work is inevitable, you must know what you love doing. You may be too preoccupied when you are at your teenage life. And pagpatak ng 20, nandyan na yung point na malapit ka nang magpursue ng career. Pag nagtrabaho ka na at you still don’t know what you love doing, you might lose the chance to develop them. So stick to your God given talents. They are your gift. Use them all for God’s glory.

3. Not every relationship you have at teenage life will last.

Ehem, I don’t have any hugot here. Relationship. Be it boyfriends or even friends. Involving in a relationship during the teenage years is a risk. Let’s accept the fact na napaka-immature pa natin ng mga panahong ito. Ito kasi talaga yung mga panahong hinahanap palang natin ang ating mga sarili. And along the way, people may leave or come. I am not saying that all relationships end like this. But the bottom line is, people come and go. And do not fret because God will always be in control.

4. Your highschool/childhood friends are the best.

Basta they are the best. Alam natin lahat yan. ;)

5. Must learn how to stand for your rights.

I believe darating ang point na dapat marunong kang tumayo para sa sarili mo. This is in a positive sense. You must know what you deserve. Never let people tell or make you feel you deserve less when you can have more. When people mistreat you, it is never wrong to stand for your rights. But I still believe it should be in a very proper way. Always have delicadesa.

6. Must be independent enough to stand for yourself.

This may be in connection with number 5. But what I am saying here is, atleast learn how to carry yourself when no one else will be there. But the good thing is, God will be there for you. Pero sadyang darating lang ang mga panahon na tanging si God nalang ang kasama mo. Learn how to be independent. Don’t depend your happiness on people. Always place it on God.

7. Know how to apply make-up.

I know not every girl applies make-up. I also believe in the saying that being natural is more beautiful. And I am not talking about being professional on make-up. I, myself, is not an expert. My staples are only baby powder (yes, I still prefer talcum over foundations), blush-on, and lipstick. What if may biglaang party? What if you can’t depend on anyone else to apply make-up on you? I’ve seen girls, girls who don’t wear make-up, suddenly wished they knew how to do their own make-ups when the scene suddenly calls for it. Never underestimate make-up. Do not be in disgust of it. You will need it pag sa time na mag-aapply ka na ng trabaho, or just suddenly may biglaang celebration.

8. Know how to cook simple dishes.

You will thank yourself for it. Your friends will love you more. Haha. Nothing is more fulfilling than serving your loved ones your very-own-cooked dishes. Ano yun, forever ka nalang aasa sa fast food? Tapos mag rereklamo pag tumataba. Atleast when you know how to cook, you can control what kind of food you eat.

9. Know how to commute confidently.

You may never know where life takes you. Kaya dapat marunong mag-commute. Maraming gustong mag-travel pero mag-commute sa Metro Manila di marunong. Know atleast kung papano mag-tanong. Again, you will thank yourself for it. ‘Wag yung puro taxi. Maganda kung may kotse ka. Pero iba parin pag marunong mag-commute.

10. Appreciate the little things.

Every little thing in life must be given thanked for. Because everything that we have is a gift from God.

11. Must take good care of your health.

By the time you reach 25, everything slows down. Aging process starts, and your metabolism slows. It’s now good to lay the foundation towards a healthy body. Mag-exercise. Alam niyo bang iba ang dieting sa starving? May tamang way ng pagiging healthy. Not all sexy are healthy. Sexy ka nga butas naman bituka mo dahil sa ulcer. Eat right and exercise. Matulog ng sapat. Uminom ng tubig. Stop all the vices. Naku, you will really thank yourself by the time na nag 30, 40, 50, and beyond ka na. Hindi ka ma-mo-mroblema sa maintenance pag tumanda ka na. Also, be brave enough to visit the doctor when the need tells so. Do not self-medicate.

12. Life is not at all Facebook and Instagram.

You must know how to reach out to your loved ones, and make new, real friends. The social media is temporary. Be responsible on what you post online. Start strong foundations on your relationships. Reach out to your parents. They are growing old too.

13. Know your priorities, your negotiable, and non-negotiable.

You are entering the stage where you must know what your priorities are. I really suggest on pursuing career muna. The negotiable, are those things na okay lang naman kung mapapasayo, ok lang din kung hindi. And you will not be that much affected. Specifically in choosing your future partner. Negotiable sakin ang marunong mag drive. Mas ok sana pag marunong siyang mag-drive, pero ok lang din naman kung hindi. The non-negotiable, ay iyong mga bagay na never dapat mapalitan. Example, I will never tolerate a man who smokes and drinks alcohol. Sorry pero ayoko talaga nang ganun.

14. Know how to be more open-minded to your society.

‘Wag iyong puro Facebook at hindi mo na kilala kung sino ang vice president ng Pilipinas. Be able to know what’s going on on your society. By this age, malamang bumuboto ka na. Exercise your right to vote. Kabataan parin ang pag-asa ng bayan.

15. Know how to save money and start saving.

Again, you will thank yourself for it. Matutong mag-ipon habang bata pa.

16. Be confident on yourself.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You need that confidence and assurance on your adulthood. Of course that confidence and assurance all came from God. Pag alam mo ang worth mo kay God, hindi na issue ang low self-esteem. Let God fill your emptiness. Let Him change how you think of yourself.

17. Your worth does not depend on someone or something.

An achievement, material possession, or a relationship will not define your worth. Your worth is in Christ. Christ alone can fill all of your needs.

18. Your enthusiasm at things is something that should not disappear.

Kung gaano ka natutuwa, na-e-excite sa mga bagay na nagbibigay sayo ng joy, do not lose that attitude. Nakakatakot pag dumating ang time na tatanda kang isang KJ na matanda. So always have that childlike attitude.

19. Your heart is precious never just let any man have it.

Christ died so your heart can be saved. Never let any man have you unless he prayed for you. When you learn how to guard your heart at this point in your life, you will be saved from lots of heartbreaks. And it is still better to stay single than be in a wrong relationship. Ang hirap kaya ma-heartbroken. Hindi siya masaya. Hindi siya nakakaganda. You are loved. You are valuable. Please don’t just let anyone wink at you and have your heart in an instant.

20. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

This is the perfect time to worship and serve God. Habang matatawag ka pang youth. I am not saying that older people can’t serve God. But older people can’t serve God the way the youth can. And I have heard older people say na napakablessed natin dahil nakakapag-involve tayo sa ministry habang bata pa. You have all the energy. Do not just waste it on wasteful, meaningless things. Get involved in the church. Know that Man who loves you more than any man could ever do. Know Him who died for you when you are yet a sinner to save you from eternal death. Know Jesus. And there is nothing more beautiful than a girl serving and loving her Creator. (Proverbs 31:30)

The not so twenty girls. HAHA

Heart Check!

How has your heart had been these past few days?

Have you’ve been excited and full of joy? Have you’ve been mostly in high spirits that everything seems to go your way? Are you particularly excited with things like the start of summer, or perhaps with a new job, and new set of friends? Are you constantly celebrating with how well your grades turned out? Or maybe, someone is causing you to constantly blush these days?

Have you’ve been struggling? With emotions, family problems, and money matters?  Have you’ve been a grump these days that people would rather stay out of your way or else they would get a taste of World War III?

Have you’ve been crying a lot? Are your pillows constantly drenched with tears? Are your prayers full of sobs? Have you’ve been so low that the slightest of things could make you burst into tears? Are you losing your hope, your dreams? What happened to that strong, courageous, and determined person that you are before? Has life wounded you? Have you lost someone? Has someone hurt you that they were beyond forgiveness?

Have you’ve been afraid? In fear of trying out at something you’ve failed at before? Scared of being rejected? Are all your bravery left out and fear filled you?

No matter what situation you are in right now, no matter what circumstance your heart is going through, have God check your heart once again. Working people, and some students, undergo annual physical check-up for their institutions to know if they are fit to work or to study. Some sick people come to doctors when things are pretty serious. A mild cough and cold could be managed by an over-the-counter medicine anyway. But a week or two would pass and that nagging cough just turned worse.

Our hearts should never undergo that way of “check-up”. We should let God check our hearts on a daily basis. Not annually, and worse not when our hearts are undergoing something serious.

For when we let God check our hearts on a daily basis, we can be assured that we are inclined to His will, and we are constantly listening to His voice, and we are always in obedience to what He wants us to do.

For the battle doesn’t come annually, or weekly; they come every day.

Have you let God check your heart today?

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)

TUP Manila Campus Ministry
Celebrating Hearts Day with these amazing children of God!
(Photo credit to Vince)

Enjoying Singleness

Funny that my background music while typing this post was “Love is Waiting” by Brooke Fraser. Pero sa tingin ko tama lang naman. Or, I just love its melody. Whichever it is, let us ponder singleness this time. As we wait on God for His best for us, I would like to share my side and might as well inspire single people out there to never think singlehood as something scary. I also wanna share the journey that I am currently in as well as some testimony of what God had done to me during the darkest nights of my curiosity and broken hearted moments.

I am single for 21 years now. Haha. Ok let me get it straight, I never had an official boyfriend. I had M.U.’s though. (M.U.-mutual understanding minsan magulong usapan, madalas mag-isang umiiibig. XD) I had three of those tiring M.U.’s. Aside from its meaning above, M.U.’s are a strange and a should-never-be-tried form of relationship. It doesn’t involve commitment though the persons involve are sweet to one another and would even treat the other as his/her boy/girl friend. Again, no commitment involved. No strings attached. Should-never-be-tried because it’s emotionally, physically, financially, and most of all, spiritually tiring. You can’t demand time and attention and you just enjoy the sweetness, the surge of emotions that will eventually drain you out. 

And I had been there. Thrice. Imagine how drained and broken hearted I was. Before.

The story didn’t end there. I also had the history of chasing for love. Imagine, my M.U.’s never lead to a serious relationship. Meaning, the guys involve didn’t court me. So, walang nanligaw sakin, at ako pa ang naghabol. All of this lowered my self-esteem. Minsan tinatanong ko sarili ko kung pangit ba ko. Tumitingin ako sa salamin, waring inaapuhap kung meron man lamang ba akong angking ganda. Hahaha. Lalim. 

That was me before. I never knew love. And my wrong relationships and attitude towards love worsened everything.

Till He came. No He’s not prince charming. He is more than that. 

He is the King of Kings. The God of the Universe. The God of All. The Almighty God.

He saved my broken heart through Jesus Christ.

Can we safely say everything turned up easily fine? Actually, no.

And it is not because of Christ. It’s because of me. He’s offering me love, which I thought I already accepted, but to my surprise I hadn’t still. For I had been rebellious for quite some time and I had keep on re-opening the wounds He had already mended.

How? My last M.U. happened when I was already a Christian. A third blow of heart break. And this was the most painful. The guy is also a Christian and during those times, I am at ease and confident that I am equally yoked. 

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)

But Jesus was persistent on saving me. (He really love me that much. :”>) It was the most painful kasi akala ko nasa tama na ko. Confident ako. And wala na sigurong sasakit pa pag sinabi sayo na hindi pa pala siya. We end up hurting one another.

I realized I was unequally yoked all along. Because it is never enough that the guy/lady is a Christian. The two of you should be on the same level of faith and with the same God-given purpose and mission in life. I am not saying the guy is not faithful. He is a Christian. He is devoted in his own convictions. But we have different calling, purpose, and mission. And I strongly believe there is someone for him who has the same calling, purpose, and mission as God has for him.

I had been in a juggle of battles when it comes to relationships. At ang ipinagpapasalamat ko lang talaga ay, Jesus never gave up on me. He is there at all times of my wandering. He had been so patient on me. So patient for me to see the reasons why He ended all of my wrong relationships. So patient for me to see His purposes for my life. So patient for me to realize I should enjoy singlehood first. Enjoy it first with Him. Solely with Him. And at the right time, His time, He would lead me to my man; His man. J

Jesus had been showing me love, each and every day. Funny thing is, I keep on searching and hopelessly waiting for someone when I could just wait on God and enjoy every moment that comes into my life. Kaya naman, right now, I am officially single. Wala nang M.U. Wala pang manliligaw. As I look at the mirror, I am amaze by how great God is. I believe I am beautiful. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. J I am not ugly. I am enough. I am worthy. All my life I had been listening to the enemy’s lies. Which I believe is one reason why God doesn’t want me to be in a relationship first. I had a wrong perception of myself. At ito ang isang bagay na inaayos Niya saakin.

Yes. Inaayos Niya tayo para perfect talaga para sa taong nakatalaga for us.

I am officially single. And I am not lonely. I have terrific brothers and sisters in the Lord. I have a great leader who can help me with my growth with Christ. Of course, I have Christ. :) What’s fun about singlehood is that, I’ve got to treat everyone equally and purely. And most importantly, I’ve got to focus on the ministry of discipleship. My calling, purpose, and mission. :)

And I wanna be satisfied more on His love. I want to seek Him, know Him, feel Him more and more each day. Dahil Siya lang ang makakasatisfy. Siya lang ang makakapuno ng love sa mga puso natin na matagal na nating hinahanap sa maling relationships, family, career, material things, and vices.

Gusto ko kami lang muna ng Lord at gulatin nalang Niya ko balang araw na dumating na pala yung Partner ko at ready na kaming dalawa.

Maturity is essential to relationship should it be lasting. And that maturity is not only physical, emotional, or financial, but most of all, it should be spiritual. How is your relationship with the Lord? Bago ka maghanap or humiling ng taong para sayo, dapat puno ka muna ng love ng Lord.

And I promise, you will feel the contentment and joy kahit nasaang season ka man ng buhay mo.

Enjoying her singleness,

Misael <3

With my single, and not so single, sisters in Christ. Ate Mai (green striped blouse and black skirt), Meriam (blue shirt and denim pants), Me (white blouse with brown laces and black skirt), and Eula (green and blue printed dress)

Through Thick and Thin

“I’ll always be the girl who’ll support you through thick and thin.”

I’ve been going through different turmoil in my life right now. It’s February 25, 2015, and after several attempts of making a post, finally and hopefully I can make one this time. Dear reader, if you would happen to look at my queue, I’ve got a couple of drafts. Drafts that lack motivation so they just remained drafts. Anyway, thanks for reading if you happen to drop by. :)

So the quote is said by, no other than, me. To a dear friend that yeah, I’ll support no matter what. Hey, that’s what friends are for, isn’t? And the person is not just an ordinary friend. We’re siblings in Christ. We’ve been through several circumstances in life and as I’ve said, I’ll always be that girl who’ll support through thick and thin.

I guess I’ll always be that kind of person. The supportive one. The cheer leader. The encourager.

But life’s been hard on me these days. And seriously, the cheer leader needs her own cheer leader at times. Unfortunately, the cheerleader seems not to find even a squad member to shake pompoms for her.  I’ve been in a roller coaster ride. Job, family, disciple, and even love life, rejections (which kinda complicate things). I worry too much. Too much that my dreams show me of my worst fears. Too much that it showed me my inner soul is screaming. I’ve been crying so much in my prayers.

"Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away." (Psalms  31:9-10)

But I’ve got no choice but to continue living. Dear reader, at this point in my life, I’ve realized that everything we depend upon aside from God, (be it another person, our own skills, job, or knowledge) will always fail and will eventually cause us disappointment. For psychologists and counselors, my case may be close to depression. I am currently in the stage of deep waiting. Deep for I really don’t know what’ll happen next.  

"But they who wait for 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)

But as I’ve said, I’ve got no choice but to continue living. And the Lord reminded me again, not to live as if days are dragging you. Live with joy, live each day one at a time. (Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.-Matthew 6:34) There are things that I cannot control, but I can always pray. And right now, I chose to surrender things to God. Envisioning myself standing at the pulpit before the congregation, telling them this story but in a form of a testimony, is a great motivation.

And I believe, we need not to search for someone who’ll tell us to support us through thick and thin. For God is already there to support us. God, at times, will never really send someone so all we have is Him. But the good news is that, when all that we have is Him, we can be assured that we have all that we need.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  (Revelation 21:4)

"Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Psalms 30:5)
(Photo Credit: Ate Mai's Photography)

When Defeat Became Your Victory

With the rustling, not of the winds, but of her rusty electric fan, she woke up in what others call as – “The Day.” Slowly opening her eyes, her alarm reads 5:00 am. She sits up, opened the lights, and started her devotion. A good dose of encouragement, strength, and confidence from the good Lord would be of great help. This is “The Day.” The day she would venture out and try her profession within the corporate world.

So in a quick span, she’s dressed; glammed up from head to toe. She’s stunning. :) And with a wave of goodbye, she’s set. In an adventure that no one, not even her, could tell of what could happen.

She reached the station of the bumpiest train in town. Oh she could have ridden buses but the hassles of traffic waits. So she waits, till puffs of smoke signify the coming of the train. She steps in, no; she was automatically pushed inside by passengers who live with this way of transportation on a daily basis. So she’s inside, the door closes, and the roller coaster begins.

On the fourth station, her station, the train halts. She finally stepped down from the train wondering if her lungs are still intact. Inhale, exhale. Ok, she can breathe. The train is crowded that the passengers are so much compressed. Thankfully her lungs are never flattened. Praise the good Lord.

Now her feet walked. And walked. And walked. And walked. And walked. Passing big establishments, in what seem like an endless road. Dear reader, she honestly doesn’t know the exact location of where she’s going. So she walked, and asked. Walked and asked. Walked and asked.  With thirty minutes on the clock she then wonders if she could still make it. Her trusty, now not so trusty, doll shoes made small scrapes (or paltos in Tagalog) at the back of her ankles. Sweat drips down her forehead, smudging away what make-up she wears. But the walking and asking continued. Till she found it, praise the good Lord, the yellow building. 

The glass doors opened. She was led to the 6^th floor. Another glass door opened. She went inside. “I’m for interview”, she chirped. The lady at the desk handed her something to fill up. She found a seat next to good soul who was also for interview. And she realized there are also two more good souls in the room, also for interview.

Time ticked, they were led inside a room to take the exams. Oh she honestly enjoyed it. Mental exams are her thing. Hours after, the lady at the desk told them to wait for the interview soon shall start. A man in black came in, stating their names in the order of the interview. When all she thought she would be called first, the man in black told her to come back in a couple of hours. Disappointed? Maybe. She walked so far to reach the place in time. Now, she’s last to be called. Praise the good Lord, she believed He have good reasons.

So she ate lunch first. Together with two angels, in the form of her cousin and church mate, they went to a place famous for its arch. While eating, one angel gave her good news of opportunity in their place. The other agreed and told her to give them a copy of her credential. Interestingly, she did.

They spent the hour happily exchanging happy stories. But she has to bid them good bye and be back to the yellow building.

So she’s back. She went in, taking notice of the addition of more good souls. But she found a place where she can sit, and she patiently waited for her turn. A couple of more hours ticked by. Her hands became clammy and cold as she realized her turn to be called is near. But she tried to be calm. The man in black stepped in, finally he called her.

The interview was a breeze. She answered confidently. An angel told her it is a plus if she could make the interviewer smile. She made him laugh with antics she never knew she had.

After that, she went back to the waiting area. A second interview that would determine her fate is at hand. The clock ticked more hours. A lady in pink shawl called her at last.

They entered a room, sat down in chairs and the second and last interview went on.

Things became a blur. It is not something she, and no one, ever expected.  She tried to speak only to find nothing to voice out. She racked her brain of recent medical-surgical thoughts she might answer to the lady with the pink shawl. She tried. She asked. She answered. But only to meet more questions. And none seem to be of approval. The lady spoke of questions she hardly could even answer.

She found her spirit dampened by every cold breathe she let out. She found her heart sinking with every minute she spent with the lady in pink shawl. She even came to point of wondering why she even took nursing.

Grasping whatever bravery she still has, she asked the lady in pink shawl if Sunday will be a free day the moment she will be hired. The lady in pink shawl explained that she could never guarantee that Sundays will be free.

Without any assurance of being accepted, she picked herself up, thanked the lady in pink shawl still, and walked out the door. In company of a good soul, she went home. Praise the good Lord for there is someone to accompany her home. She could have ridden the bumpy train again.

But wait, something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong. She felt light. She feels okay. She feels different. She could have been ranting about what the way the lady in pink shawl treated her, she could have been in a very bad mood and be even in tears, right now. But she doesn’t. And she feels, she never will.

She felt the strong will of the Lord has worked upon her life in that very moment. She felt the reasons of the good Lord why all the delays of the day had happened. She felt that it is He that is moving all this time. She could have pouted, could have cursed everyone she’ll meet along the way. But she did not. She smiled and welcomed her fate. “The good Lord will never fail those who love Him”, she thought. “Maybe this company is really not for me. Sundays are not free. And I will never trade Sundays again for whatever reason. It is for the Lord; only for Him. For this might be defeat in the eyes of the world but standing for the Lord will never be defeat in His eyes.”

She went to bed that night. Sleeping soundly, smiling sweetly, for she knows the good Lord is working out something greater for her. :)

Her angels.