BrATTLEFIELD

In circumstances where my temper is being tested, I really feel that our God listens to my prayers...

Yesterday was a long day for me... and not so favorable on my side, unlike the recent days. Admittedly, I was affected with certain confrontation with my colleague and some people who seems to be less professional than the rest. And until now, it can't get over with it! whew!!!

From yesterday, until this very moment... I am praying for patience and understanding. I am so cautious about my temper, not because I don't want to go down to her level (-that is how I used to think) but because I want to be obedient to Him and that people will see that I am different because Christ is living in my heart. I want Him to be glorified...

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." -Philippians 2:14-16

And this is what I always pray for... that He will continuously mold me to be righteous - to be called His child. I want to learn how to 'love thy neighbors' and to be patient... I really hope I can be somebody that He will be proud of...

This is my struggle, my constant prayer.

Currently, here in our workplace, I can really feel that He moves to grant my request. As I eagerly asked for Him to teach me how to be serene, He put me on situations that tests my faith and practice my patience.

I read this in heartlight - 'I tell you, if you are serious about wanting to be like Christ, He is going to put you in circumstances where your only choice is to become like Him.' - Francis Frangipane

And I certainly agree.

I am now in the battlefield, struggling to fight with my own personality. Dealing with bratts, including me...

Patience is better than pride...
I envy people who are patient. Those who easily forgive and forget.
I am not like them, but I am trying, and I am praying...

Period

A close friend of mine wants to end her relationship... not because there is a problem with her partner nor they fall out of love... there is no third party nor any career or business crisis... no family issues either.

The simple reason is because of the thought that "relationship don't lasts"... that FOREVER won't be achieved... worries that time will come that the relationship will end.

Indeed, there are basis... knowing that some people and relationships come and go.

That there is no permanent 'thing' nor secured future that we can grasp.

It applies to all. Whether you are in relationship or wanting to be in relationship, no one is secured. We cannot guarantee tomorrow... and as I have said, Forward March! What we only have is today.

My friend is so afraid for the coming days... guarding her heart to be broken on a thought that didn't happen yet... wants to end the beautiful relationship that she have because of her fears... Breaking her heart because she is frightened to be wrecked...

In our own situations, at some point, we all have felt the same...

We have made decisions not because we want to achieve something, but because we are avoiding somethings...

We assume. We expect and we tend to forget what we have TODAY.

Like life, everything ends... death comes like a thief in the night... we don't know when, but we know it will happen.

In the right time, periods will be punctuated in our own stories... but in the bottom... we still have the whole page, the whole chapters to fill up. We should not be threatened.

What readers read is not that small dot in the end, but the words written, the phrases, the paragraphs.

So while we can choose the letters to make a sentence on our own pages...  let's enjoy this blessing, our freedom to live each day, making the best stories of our lives, day by day.

Let us not rush towards the end because there is present that we still need to make...


---o0o---
and a season for every activity under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1

A Proud Apo of Lolo Marciano

I am.

Even before Remembering Lola Marcosa, I first thought of writing about our Lolo Marciano...
He just celebrated his birthday last 11 April, and though we are on the opposite side of the world (he is in L.A.), and I missed calling him on that day, he's always on my heart and prayers...

A righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. - Prov. 20:7

Yes. We are blessed having a righteous Lolo. Someone who lead us into the right path... who set a good example of being a good father to his children, a good husband to his wife and a child of God.

Unlike my Lola M, I did not have much 'bonding moments' with Lolo. He is No! No! to Bingo and Comics... Yet, those few moments with him were precious... as he speaks nothing but words of wisdom from the Bible.

He is a Lord's servant. At home, aside from eating and watching TV Patrol, he reads. I don’t know how many times he finished reading the Bible, but I am sure he did... that is the only book that he reads...

From the first fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work if his hands rewards him. - Prov. 12:14

All the words that come out from his mouth are word of knowledge... He has guided his children well, raised them as God fearing individual... though it took time before the family accepted Christ to be the Lord and Savior... he never fails to pray for his children and their family... he never lose hope... his faith moved miraculously within every member of the family...

We are living a happy and peaceful life because he showed us the way and patiently guided us to know our Lord God. And his legacy lives on...

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of the dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. - Proverbs. 4:18

Remembering Lola Marcosa

It’s almost 12 years ago when she went home…
Yet until this moment, I still feel that longing…
Her teasing smile… how she played around with her grand children.
Her way of kissing on our forehead…

She is a giver…a very generous Lola...
Like any other grandmother; she gave her all to her grandkids.
We had a happy childhood; there was never a dull moment with her…
She makes a simple nap time more exciting by giving prizes to the first kid to fall asleep :-)
Or a consequence to those who won’t lie-down, like removing her gray hair or a head massage…
I knew Agua Bendita (a comic story, now into TV) from Liwayway Komiks when I was a grader…
Yes, not a fairy tale book or any other children’s books… but we read comics together during siesta time…
Bingo was not a gambling for us, but a fun bonding game for the family. Yes, we also play it with money, from her ofcourse…
She will give us money and we will all play. No one will lose, because at the end of the game, she will give us the same amount as what the winner will get.

As I grew older, I’ve come to know that Lola is a very strong person.
She will stick to what she believed was right… No one can influence her.
Her fair treatment to every member of the family is something that I really admire from her.
We have a very big family… she had 13 kids… 30+ grandkids… 100+ great grandkids…
Each has their own story… while she was still with us; she knows what’s going on with each family.
Even though sometimes they hide it from her… she is the mother, and I believe that she felt it deep within.
I admire her strength and bravery. She inspired me in a lot of ways.
Her love for the family, the good example that she showed to us was instill in my heart.

In the last years of her life, she finally accepted our Lord God.
After decades of not talking to our Lolo because of different beliefs, I witnessed her rebirth…
How she received Christ as her Savior; how her life changed…
I’ve seen her transformed from a happy to a more joyful Lola…
That peace that comes from her heart was glowing and made the rest of her life more meaningful…

29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:29-31

I am missing her, every single day...
Yet I know that she is just there… happy in heaven, watching over us.

Violet is Red

He is one of the Big Bosses, known to be the toughest and worst boss within the agency...
Let's call him Violet. The terror VP of the company.

Even the coffee delivery guy knew who and what he was.
If you happen to be a first timer within the vicinity, someone will surely warn you about Violet.
Or maybe, you'll find it yourself once you pass the hall near his office.
To newly hired employees, his name should be mentioned and he should be described, otherwise, the first day will also be their last...

He screamed to death...
With his power, even if he whispers... his voice will be heard...
Like a king... people should follow his orders...
The company is his kingdom.

To almost everyone... he is Miranda - from 'The devil wears Prada', or rather, Miranda is only half of him...
Violet is far worst... he was described to be Hitler by others who worked with him...

Can you imagine the life of his P.A?
No one within the network would like to be in her shoes...

And most were amazed how she deals with him.

Even Violet himself asked her several times, on how she looked at him.
With all sincerity, she said, 'I believe you are kind.'

Yes. To her, Violet is Red...
A man with soft heart and kindness deep within.
Not everyone might understand and believe but yes, he is Red to her...

Why?

This small but terrible PA is like David dealing with Goliath...
Her secret weapon is not a stone, but the powerful prayer that she whisper to our Lord God every single day of her office life.
Praying that He will touch Violet's heart, make it as Red as it can be...

And God continuously fulfill her prayers...
Knowing how Violet treated his previous PAs, everyday is a miracle to her.

Many can't believe, but indeed, Violet is Red...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts, and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:6-7

Such miracle can happen to every corners of offices with 'Violet' bosses...
Instead of cursing your managers... lift them up to Him. and you will witness how God touch one's heart...

Forward, March!!!

We have had our own farewells.
Bid goodbyes on different notes...
Chapters that ends...
Doors that close.

As to some, goodbyes were always painful...
Holding on to the past that was over for so long.
Stucked up with old memories and living with those,
Trapped in the days of fantasies that makes it worst.

The pain of acceptance and letting go...
We should not be caught by fear of facing tomorrow...
Yesterday was a past, yes, it passed;
Things that happened, we can never bring back.

The only truth is that, what we only have...
and that is today, where our focus should be attached.

Regrets from the past, until when will you be locked?
The guilt, the pain, that anger and fear...
Release it for once, and give yourself a chance...
Be free and live a life, love today and let go of the past.

One Black Saturday

Black Saturday was indeed black for the entire family as my cousin passed away...
A father of 2 girls, 9 y/o and 8 m/o, his life ended at 33. Not with any incurable disease nor a vehicular accident...
He took his own life, not for suicide but only for a bad joke...

The incident happened past midnight, he and 2 of our cousins were just hanging out just outside their house, until he showed his gun, removed the magazine and tease the two guys. Knowing that its not a good joke, the 2 decided to leave... wanting to prove that there is no bullet inside, he then pointed the gun into his head...
by this time, the 2 cousins were like few meters away... until they heard the shot.

Looking back, they saw him, slowly falling, with blood all around.

At that very moment, 2 lovely girls lost their father. A wife lost a husband. A parent lost their son. Siblings lost their youngest. A family will never be complete again...

All because of one mistake... a bad joke!

Our entire family are still shocked.
Each of us gathers strength from one another and from the One above;
The Only One who gives us courage to let go and move forward...
Our Lord God who can answer all the why's...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you now that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3
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