Month: Feb 2020

How prepared are you for the the things you are praying for?

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Whenever we ask the Lord for things that we wanted for in our life, has it ever crossed our minds if we’re ready for what we’ve been praying for? I’ll be honest. I usually don’t. In fact, I’m that person who would normally ask for something I ultimately like not really understanding much of the effect it might have in my life. Oftentimes, I’m drawn to the physical attractiveness of a gift I’m praying for. Whether it is a job promotion, new career, new place to live or a partner in life, what draws us to ask for these great things?

When I asked for a job that I may be relocated , all I know is that it will give me a better future. In my mind, this will give me a better position financially to be able to reach more of my dreams. And it sure did . I get to buy the things I need and wanted, travel to the places in my bucket list, provide for my family and gain more experiences.All these are good but as the honeymoon stage is over, I realized, I have been missing the better stuff in life. I missed the time I eat breakfast with my family , laughing my heart out on stories during our daily dinners, watching our favorite tv shows together, shopping and discovering new food together and hearing the Sunday Mass together. I’ve realized that time with my loved ones is priceless.

Now, I understood why this prayer of mine was not answered several years back. Ten years ago, I was not mature enough to handle tough situations when I needed to. At that time, simple yet practical things such as cooking my own meals, keeping the house clean, deciding on my own on a lot of different things and being independent were not something that I would be willing to do. My relationship with the Lord was there , but not as deep as it is now . Circumstances happened in my life that caused me to rely solely on Him for strength and hope. The Lord of perfect timing just knows the right time to answer my prayer. And now, I fully understand that I needed first to grow and to be ready for His gift.

For most of us singles, the next prayer that we might be asking aside from success in career, is our prayer for a partner in life. Yes, a constant prayer probably tracing back when we were still in College. All our batchmates may have found the love of their lives, our careers have already progressed, we might have reached most of our dreams , younger siblings and cousins even marrying, yet this prayer still unanswered. Rather than questioning God why, have you asked yourself if you’re ready for this blessing? You may say, very much ! But think again, are you ready to be the wife in the way the Lord wants you to be? Are you ready to be selfless in all aspects? Are you ready to love even until it hurts? I’ve asked these questions myself and I am still a work in progress.

In one of the women’s gatherings that I’ve attended, the speaker led us to a chapter in the bible detailing how to be the woman that God wants us to be. Proverbs 31 :10-31, is a long chapter but it is a good checklist to assess ourselves if we’re ready to move on to the next stage of our lives. It describes how a woman of noble character is so precious for she is strong in the midst of adversity ,yet so nurturing to her family; resourceful and efficient in handling the needs of the family yet generous enough to extend help to those in need; virtuous yet full of compassion and love for her children and husband ; she has a mind of her own yet has full respect to her husband and most importanly, she is a woman who fears the Lord. At this point, do you think these characteristics already describe you?

For men who might be reading my post, you may have been praying as well for a partner in life but still can’t find her. Pray for her. Pray as well for your eyes and heart to see. While waiting, grow to be the man that the Lord wants you to be – a man who will be courageous enough to pursue, a man who will cherish his wife and will stand by her always and a man who will will lead his family in loving and serving the Lord.

These were only two of the things that we often pray for but I know that we all have different prayers. You may be praying for good health, high grades, winning a contest and a lot of different dreams that you want to be fulfilled. Oftentimes, the Lord answers Yes for He is a generous God. However, He sometimes says no. He says no probably for two reasons : 1) He wants to prepare us before we receive His gift so we can enjoy it the way He intended it to be and 2) He wants us to draw closer to Him so He can change our hearts and transform our prayers to be aligned to His will.

As we pray for the desires of our heart , let us not forget to include this prayer “Lord , make us ready to receive what we’ve been praying for. If these dreams are not meant for us, may you lead our hearts to desire what is aligned to your will”.

How do you start your day?

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I have been cramming to finish some important writing deadlines when I suddenly reminded myself that I write to express my thoughts and feelings not only because I need to meet expectations. Oftentimes, we are like this — being so busy in a Martha’s world , worried about practical things, chores and deadlines to the point of missing out enjoying life as it is. For most of us working professionals, who are bounded by the 9am to 5 pm time at our workplaces, let me ask you, how do you start your day?

Do your start your day worrying about your presentation at 10 am? How about thinking the list of things you need to prepare before you go to work? Or worse, you actually don’t have time to even notice that your day has started because your whole system has been set to an autopilot and before you knew it the day has just ended? Familiar?

I couldn’t imagine how life would be when we are not even able to start the day right by recognizing how beautiful it is to be alive. Have you even realized that the fact you woke up is a blessing in itself?

You are blessed that you are able to wake up and open your eyes and see that you have few minutes left to still sleep.You are blessed that you have to rush to prepare to go to the office because you have a job. You are blessed, because the first thing you see in the morning are your loved ones whom you can readily hug. I could go on and on with the list of blessings that we can have the moment we wake up. But sometimes, instead of seeing these as blessings, we’re blinded with a lot of wordly expectations that we allow to take over as we start our day.

My encouragement is this — start each day with a grateful heart by thanking the Lord that you are alive . Increase your gratitude each day by counting your blessings and having a daily conversation with your Creator. Trust me, your day will be much better.

Today is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. Aside from being grateful that you are alive, start this day by focusing on a heart of repentance and prayer. Slow down a bit at work and take this moment as a time to reflect on God’s love and goodness.

May the good Lord be always with you!

What do you want to be?

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When I was a child, I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. As I grew up, my dreams have changed until I decided that I will follow the footsteps of my cousins whose careers were flourishing at that time. It was a very good decision. I was blessed in a lot of ways in my career. It gave me meaning for 15 years. I thought one day, I will hold the highest position in an organization that I wanted. I have always wanted to be up there. For I thought, that was the purpose of my existence – to be successful and live my dreams. My dreams to be able to provide for my family, to travel, to have the means to help and to serve. I was happy and felt fulfilled. In the unexpected turn of events in my life, I woke up realizing that my career is not what I wanted to be for the rest of my life. In one moment of my life, I felt sad and empty. I felt I didn’t have the aspirations anymore to be someone great in my field.

My perspective shifted.Understanding that life is short and temporary, I have began to think, is this really what I have been created for? With deep reflection, I have discovered that all I want is to make use of the time given to me well. I wanted to be able to live what I’m created for. I wanted to be there for people who needs my listening ear, my helping hand, my prayers. I want to be there for my mom when she needs someone to be with. I wanted to be able to sing and perform for her and tell her, “See Mommy , I can do it”. I would like to be able to speak to a large crowd about God’s love and faithfulness and write books proclaiming the goodness of the Lord. I wanted to be able to do this now, and stop procastinating.

I was so busy building a career that I thought I’ve always wanted but at the deepest recesses of my soul, I just wanted to be Me and serve my Creator just as how He intended to when He brought me into this world. Looking back, I hope I have made the choice earlier but the Lord reminded me that the events and challenges I’ve been through have brought me to where I am today. Everything happens for a reason. I’m praying that this time I’ll have the solid courage to pursue my mission.

What do you want to be? Everyday is a gift, so make the most of it. Whatever your mission is , do it now and trust that the Lord will bless you and give the grace you will need.

Do you hear that voice too?

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In the middle of my work I catch myself dreaming about what could have been if I’m spending this time out there. In a place where a human being would need someone to talk to, where a wonderful creation needs to be appreciated, books to be read and explored, places to visit, language to be learned. For 15 years, I’ve restrained myself from pursuing all these, because I thought, it wouldn’t be a wise decision. Now , after being so safe in all my decisions, following what seems logical have brought me to where I am today. I got the position I’ve always wanted, the country I’ve dreamt of working along with the paycheck and privileges that go with it. It’s true, all these so called dreams of mine which I thought will make me happy and contented, only played a portion of my self-fulfillment and was only temporary.

I have always been grateful for being here and having what I have now. But even so, my heart longs for something else that has a deeper meaning. Yes, I know that this is a calling, a voice that only I can hear –the voice that tells me that I’m created for something greater and more meaningful than all these. The voice that hounds me day and night, that I can’t think of doing anything but to heed that call. But is it worth it, to follow this path of uncertainty? Is it worth it to give in this time to that constant leading I’ve been hearing but avoiding for these past years? Is it worth it to take that leap of faith and see what is out there for me?

I’ve deeply prayed and asked for answers, for direction. Is this voice I’m hearing from You? Or was it only the voice buried deep inside my soul out of dissatisfaction and unhappiness at my current state? Was it my childhood instinct wanting me to explore and to conquer the world as we can only live life once? Or all along, was this a dream instilled in me , the very reason why I was put into this world?

Having a Lord that answers to those who seek Him. I received a response of affirmation. “That voice buried, deep inside your soul is the same voice you’ve been hearing over and over again. Until you heed to its call it will never leave you. Why are you so afraid to answer it? Don’t you want to see what it has for you? Are you scared you will be going through it alone ? Did you forget that I will never leave you? Do you really know who I am? The Lord your God, who have been answering your prayers since you were a child. From receiving a teddy bear as a Christmas gift, being the highest score in your Earth Science test and cancelling the meeting you’ve been dreading to attend. How about, allowing the guy you like to like you back and living in a place you have always wanted to live? You might not have said all these in your vocal prayers and requests but I know what is in your heart. I know how much you’ve wanted to receive that teddy bear but you were just contented to just receive anything as it might be too expensive, you’ve wanted to always be the top of the class but you’ve resorted to just be able to pass, you’ve prepared to attend that dreaded meeting but you asked me to give you the grace to just be ready, you’ve expressed your admiration to that wonderful classmate but you thought he will not like you back, you’ve wished to be able to live someday in that place but you you thought it might be too impossible? Up to this point, do you still not know me? I’m your Father who can make all things possible. I have always known what you desire and what will make you happy. And so, can you now trust me again? Trust that in the the midst of this uncertainty, I, the Lord your Father , will be with you as you follow that voice and make things happen”.