Turning My Day to a Happy Tuesday

Even when the morning looks bleak, it will not deadened my spirit. My day may not start the way I want it to be, it’s still a happy Tuesday. I take courage not to feel depressed nor lonesome, I choose to count the things that would make me happy. I look at the consequences of being a child of God. The perks of having a relationship is a result of how He values me more than what my circumstance calls out.

God can turn around what’s happening in my life in an instant. I am looking forward how He can change my situation. There can be brand new things as the former days fade away. I can learn to be ecstatic just the thought of it. How I feel is not dictated by what I see but what my faith can do as I believe that He is with me always. I trust the Lord that He will be with me at all times. Even when I’m in pain or discouragement sinks in, I choose to bawl it out until my sadness leaves me. Then I can get over it and not succumb anymore to desolation. I can try to keep calm and be at ease. I allow God take charge over my whole being and shake off anything that hinders my joy from taking place. And in advance, I can thank God wholeheartedly and say, “It’s going to be a happy day because my God already wiped away my tears and it’s a brand new day to declare His greatness and faithfulness. I feel alive because I can look forward to blessed day with breakthroughs ahead. And with that, I am truly grateful to my loving God.”

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 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.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5 ESV)

Once Broken but Now Healed and Made Whole

Josh with arm sling due to broken collarbone

It has been three weeks since Josh, my five-year-old son, had a bad fall from a chair that resulted to a broken collar bone. The orthopedic doctor suggested that he should wear an arm sling and put a wraparound bandage to ensure that he will have limited movement and physical activity. He had a weekly check-up to monitor his progress.

Last Friday, after the doctor saw his latest X-Ray, he declared that the bones were healing just fine and now they have attached to each other. He also noticed that the bump seen on his skin where the collarbone was located was an indication that the bone was remodeling and became better in shape and there was a faint shade of the new bone growing that was seen in his X-Ray result.

It was really great news! The doctor declared that the two bones were attached to each other so he already removed the arm sling and the bandage. Josh was told that he could raise his arm and move it around. At first he was hesitant and did not want to do it since he was so used not to moving it. But we encouraged him that he can do it and with much determination, he finally did it little by little and higher and higher until he was confident that his collarbone was healed and he could do what the doctor told him to do. He knew he could trust and believe the words of the doctor that he was healed and he could raise his left arm, move it around,  and even do a high five.

Then it got me thinking. How many broken people do we have who were spiritually healed and saved by God and yet still acts as if they have not been forgiven? Still living their old sinful ways even if they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Maybe because there were still mindsets that were stopping them that it’s impossible to let go and be changed by God. Just like my son, even if he was declared healed and yet still thought that his collar bone was broken so it took awhile for him to realize that he is now truly okay.

Sometimes we feel like we have been paralyzed by our past and haunted by our wrongdoings. No matter what we do, it was as if nothing happened even when we have set oiut to follow Jesus. We could not get out from the cage and still thinks that we could never get right with God. Or some people have been so used to being broken and don’t know the truth that we have been forgiven if we believe that Jesus is our savior. By God’s grace we could receive His forgiveness. If we only knew that by His great love He pardoned our sins by believing on what Jesus did for us on the cross. He redeemed us from the bondage of sin so that we can enjoy the freedom from sin and separation from God.

Be reminded that in Romans 6:6-7, 11 it says, “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Be in faith that God saved you and you have been healed and made whole. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

He can simply change us if we CHOOSE TO HAVE FAITH IN GOD. When we allow Him to work in our hearts, then CHANGE IS POSSIBLE. He can turn someone who was broken to be made whole again. Are you willing to get out from your hopeless situation and receive the love and forgiveness of God? Coming clean to God is doable. Romans 10:9 encourages us that “if we confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” What a great promise from God. I hope you will take heed and take time to receive this wonderful gift of salvation. Are you willing to believe God and have the faith that healing can take place and you can be made whole again?

My prayer is that you need to constantly remind yourself that by God”s grace you have been saved and He has forgiven your sins. You can live a life of freedom and break free from your sins. You are so precious and valuable that God has given us the access to be called a child of God and he wants you to have an intimate relationship with God and enjoy your life here on earth.

Are We a Reflection of God?

My Papa and Me

I had a dream about my father and I was asking where I could get a mirror because the mirror I have was lost. And he told me that I could get them from his house. And when I went to his house, there were so many mirrors of different styles and sizes. I only chose two: one size that can reflect my face and the other one that I can see my entire body. Then I woke up.
Growing up, most of the time when I met someone and told that person my name, the reply I would get was, “Are you the daughter of Col. Julius Ovilla?” Or “You really look like your dad.” Don’t you think so?

This dream reminded me that our reflection should be based on who our God is. In Genesis 1:27 it says, “So God created mankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them;male and female he created them.” We are created to reflect who God is since we are His children. When we look at ourselves, do we see God?

As children of God, let’s devote our lifetime becoming like Him. Are we walking in love? Do we invest time knowing God and how much he loves us? So we can be a role model of what it means to be in love with God and also demonstrate His love to others. Remember, Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Let’s evaluate ourselves and ask God, “are we becoming more like You or do we see You in our reflection?” If not, let’s draw closer to Him and ask Him to help us become the child that He desires us to be and be loving to others.

1 John 4:11-12 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Self-Sacrifice: Big word!

Self-Sacrifice: Big Word!

I heard a joke about an old couple eating inside a restaurant. Here is the short version of it: There was an old man who was happily munching on his sandwich while his wife was fondly looking at him. And a bystander asked the old lady why she was not eating. Then the old lady said that she was waiting for her husband to finish eating so that she can use her false teeth. For me this was really funny. But come to think of it, it is a picture of sacrifice. The old lady was willing to wait and lend her own dentures.

The word sacrifice as defined in Meriam-Webster dictionary is “an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially the killing of a victim on an altar or destruction.” But metaphorically, it has been used as “ to surrender of something for the sake of something else or something given up or lost.” Have you experienced someone making a sacrifice for you or did you do something that was so selfless and yet you were happy about it?

Mahatma Gandhi once said that, “A man who has completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.”

The bible says in 1Peter3:18,

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

This is what Jesus did for us. His love was so great that He willingly laid down His life just for us. Even when we were still sinners He suffered on the cross and paid the price for our sins. With His ultimate sacrifice, God forgave our sins and we can now enjoy our relationship with God and His blessings.

Let us be grateful for what Jesus did for us. As a result, it is good to value those who make sacrifices.  Appreciate those who willingly give up what they value the most. Maybe someone did an extra mile just for you. Out of love, someone is willing to do whatever it takes to gain your approval. If it makes you happy, that’s all that matters to that person.

Like a mother, there’s no sacrifice that is too great when it comes to her children. A father who sold their only cow to send his son to school. A doctor who stayed in his hometown to practice his profession instead of working abroad. Sold a car to donate to the victims of typhoon Yolanda. Well, you know a lot of stories. But you can also start your own story of sacrifice.

If you want to love, be brave enough to lose yourself. Be ready to sacrifice anything for each other. It is dying to your own selfishness. You begin to think of the welfare of the person you are willing to give up. Your only desire is to please the person that you love. It is going to be costly. It will cost your time, effort, money and mostly of yourself. Denying what you desire for the sake of the one you love.

Let me leave this question: Have you made a sacrifice for someone today? Please do so. You cannot measure how far the outcome of your selfless love would bring happiness to that special someone as you gladly and willingly do it.

 

Is it that easy to initiate a good relationship?

When it’s my first time to attend a meeting or go to a party, I feel jittery to talk to someone new because I don’t know how to start a conversation. I can appear friendly but it takes time for me to get to know someone well. Are you like me or you find it so easy to talk to a stranger and befriend someone? Well, regardless of our behaviour, God wants us to initiate a good relationship with others.

Jesus once said that the entire Bible can be summed up in two commands: Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–39). We can show love, concern and compassion on other people. How we treat others will really be a reflection of our relationship with Jesus. We have to put others first. We need to put a high premium on the people that we encounter everyday.  They need to feel love.  John 13:34 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” We need to love others as Jesus loved us.

But usually it is so easy to love when a person is lovable but there will be times that we will encounter people who are unlovable, unbearable or irritable.  Will you stop showing love or concern? We cannot do that because Jesus said it is a command to love others because he knew that it is not automatic for us to do it. Not all of us are born people person so we really need an extra effort to love a person. It will be Christ’s love that will compel us to love others. Our greatest motivation should always be Christ. If we fully grasp and have a clear understanding of his love then it becomes a lifestyle to love others as he first loved us.

Colossians 3:12-14 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let’s put emphasis on the words: clothe yourselves and put on love, Paul knew that it will be hard to love and he is encouraging us to do it. So we really need to continually be a student on love. We need to look on Jesus always so we can learn from him.We need to keep on learning to love God and others as we make it our highest goal, our first priority, our constant focus, our passionate intention, and the dominant life value of our lives. The more we learn  how to love authentically, the more Christ-like we become. Then the fragrance of God’s love will be spread everywhere we go. And people can smell the real essence of a spiritual family around us.

I believe in LOVE

I believe in love. I choose to succumb to the idea that love will find its way to restore relationships, healing of deep wounds and forgiveness beyond measure. It is not blind but it paves the way to say no to offense and hatred. It acknowledges the fact that we fall short of expectations. There will be disappointments along the way. Only love can unlock the imprisoned heart from bitterness. You can bring it all up to God and not on the person. Don’t miss the chance of losing the chain of wonderful relationship. Don’t let years of grudges lose your opportunity to build bridges. Only a person who experienced the love of God will be able to take up the challenge to forgive and love the person unconditionally.

Don’t waste your time adding more baggage to the hatred. Be set free and loosen the cord of love. Set an example to breathe in the peace of loving someone. Remove the pride and say “sorry.” If you were the one wronged, it’s time to go to God and let him fill the hole of brokenness and be made whole again. Jesus loved us even when we were sinners. It’s difficult and it’s not easy but you can step to the way of love slowly until you are running with it. Make the choice to love because it will surely cover the dark past and you can look forward to a future of love defined.

Image source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FhK7hIQk1XA/TP2oRbYcYzI/AAAAAAAABuo/X3KR6WnEA20/s1600/Believe

+in+love+closeup.jpg

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Who’s my family?

Make it a point to always remember what it means to be called a family. Merriam Webster dictionary defines it as “a group of people who are related to each other” or “a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation.” But does it really just require being related or just sharing something in common? If I have this kind of understanding, it seems like skin-deep. Just like any kind of relationship to cause it to grow and deepen, there has to be some form of effort into it. Likened to a plant, there’s a certain digging, watering and cultivating to make it grow and eventually bear fruit. And don’t forget the sunlight to help in the process.

I am trying to understand that it’s more than blood relations. Nonetheless, I thank God for the wonderful family that I was born into and tries to accept each one with all our uniqueness and imperfections and irons out the wrinkles of differences. Also, alon

g the way, I met people who created a bond with me. And when I am with them, I “feel like I’m in a family.” Keeping these things in mind. I know I have lots and lots of families that I have forged relationship with. We have the same conviction, passion, affiliation, etc.. These are the people I feel I belong to because we shared the same love, invested time and money, made extra effort and showed me what living is all about and shed light on how to love and live life. Examples would be same birthplace, school, workplace, sports, hobby or interest, ch

urch, affiliation, organization, association, etc.

I thank God for showing me what it means to be in His family. I pray that as I am adopted into His spiritual family I will be likened in His image. By HIs grace become His reflection so that I will be able to love, forgive, sacrifice and trust, etc. And taught me how to love others so that I belong to some kind of other families too.

So you think you belong to one family only? Think again and be grateful for the many families you belong to.

Genesis 5:1 This is the written account of Adam’s family line. When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God.
Proverbs 11:29a
Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind….

 

Image source: http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/chain-love-27086434.jpg

 

Mothering requires being strong when your kids are in pain

I am now “officially” a mother of two boys in terms of them experiencing minor cuts & bumps in their heads because they are so full of energy and very active. I don’t know how to react finding out that they were physically in pain but when it happened I was comforted that it could have been worst. Thank you God for your protection are always upon them. The angels were always busy surrounding them. During those times, all I can do was to cuddle and comfort them and assured them that everything will be alright. I would try to pacify them to stop crying and told them to be brave enough even when they saw the blood and put medication on their wounds. 

In the same way, I know that when I am also suffering and in pain, God will always be there for me. Thank you Jesus for giving me courage to face problems and challenges. In those crying moments, His soothing voice and His presence makes me secure. For I know that help, solutions and breakthroughs will always be on my way.

Isaiah 66:13 “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

Love is meant to be shared with someone

God is the author of LOVE. Love is not meant to be kept to yourself but has to be shared with someone. Then that’s one way you can show you have been loved by God and you can pay it forward. Have you told or showed someone today how much you love him or her? Never stop loving because as always love begets love. Happy loving!that

1 Thessalonians 4:9 “Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.”

Start Your Love Story

I got pre-occupied with parenting to help my son prepare for his quarterly exams and nursing my sons from fever and also training for the dragon boat competition that my wanting to write took a backseat. But of course there’s that nudging in my heart to do simple scribbling just by thinking and looking at my single friends. More than getting excited to hear just cheesy stories about love affairs that transpired with people I know, I am keenly interested to learn that I am surrounded by men and women who are ready to dive and swim in the sea of love with their special someone. And yet, they do not have any qualm that being single is just a season in life and God has good intention that they will build godly families in their lifetime so that they can leave a legacy to their future generation.

Growing up, I love hearing stories from my grandparents and my relatives about how my lolo and lola met accidentally or how my uncle was able to serenade my aunt and win her her heart. I don’t get tired hearing them and even if I heard them so many times, I would really be twitterpated (translation for kilig) and that’s when I started dreaming of my own great love story one day and true enough I got my own share of love. Although this note is not intended to share my love story but this is written for the single professionals who may or may not be bothered for now of their status of just staying single or looking for a lifetime partner. But one day you will find yourself thinking of how God will orchestrate your love story. I have encountered men and women who are “ripe” for picking and yet not interested or not even searching or even likes someone but never ever dared to ask her out. Sometimes I would hear so many excuses but deep inside there’s that longing to be with someone. Yes, I know there are questions of who to choose, top three non negotiable qualities to look for in a partner, right timing, etc. but it is always good to know that when you have the right reasons to love someone in the future then it will not be hard to look, search and find your one true love.

How to start your love story? You must have a VISION for marriage. You cannot have something unless you want or desire or need it. If you have good intention to have a family of your own then you can start or plan now to decide to love someone. It always start with a willingness and a determination. I don’t mean you have to stand from your chair right now and go get someone to wed. All you need to do is start praying about what you want for your future mate and ask God to help you build your character to make you the right person. If it’s just a thought of dating a girl/boy without looking forward of marrying her/him then you might end up searching for a new one. Don’t just go to a department store and on impulse just buy what you see. You need to at least have to make up your mind on what style, color or for what occasion that would best fit your body type and how much money you have in your wallet. Or else you will end up with another piece of clothing inside your cabinet never worn.

You cannot love someone unless you have been loved or felt love by anyone at all. I am sure you have or even tried to show your affection to God, your family, friends or even your officemates. Then you can love someone if you want to. I think what’s hindering us normally from looking for a partner even if you can already love is FEAR. The Bible tells us that there’s no fear in perfect love because love drives out fear. Sometimes we tend to magnify the ugliness of the opposite of love or good marriage and tell yourself I might end up with the wrong person. You might have been hurt by your previous lover and end up broken hearted. And you don’t want to put yourself in the same ordeal again.

Be reminded that when you allow God to help you then you will never go wrong. Creating your love story starts with a good intention in mind that you have made a decision to love someone wholeheartedly. Check and ask yourself, “Have I tried practicing to give love and show affection to someone dear to me who is not yet my lover?”. If you made time just to go home on a weekend to be with your parents because you miss them, then this is love. If you stayed with your brother to help with his homework than go on a gimmick with friends then this is love. Even with your busy schedule and work overload you still found yourself go to your friend’s birthday party before the clock struck midnight, then it’s love. During the monsoon rains, instead of staying home, you went out of your way and volunteered to give relief goods then it’s love.

When we become unselfish and selfless and look for the welfare of others then you are already manifesting the signs of love. Because staying in love with someone always require dying to self. You must learn to embrace patience, humility, kindness, etc. in order for love to work. All of us will never be perfect for love but with our imperfections someone can choose to overlook it and choose to love us anyway. I know that God has designed you to love and it is His good intention that you can share it with someone. You are destined to be with someone in this lifetime.

Start dreaming of a family that you would be proud to have in the future. It would be nice that your grandchildren will get excited to hear your love story again and again. Then look at yourself. Do a little heart talk with God. Are there still areas of your life that are not right with Him? Then ask for forgiveness and let Christ help transform you and be the person that He wants you to be. Are there characteristics that you don’t want to see in your future children? Then ask God to help you change. Do you like what you see in the mirror? If not, go to the dermatologist or head to the gym and lose some weight. Or maybe you just need to put a little make-up to brighten your face or change your wardrobe and be cool. Nothing beats feeling good and looking good because you will exude confidence and beauty inside out. Maybe you can go on personality development or speech class to enhance yourself. Read a lot of books so that you will gain a lot of knowledge and being wise is always a plus factor on someone. Don’t be shy and ask your friends or siblings (and not your parents because they always exaggerate about their children, hehe) what are the things you need to improve about yourself. It’s always good to hear opinions of your friends because they know you pretty well. These are just practical ways on self-improvement and you can still do more. More than looking for the right qualities of your partner, start looking at yourself and make a better version of you for her/him before you meet.

Only you can determine when do you plan to start to write your love story. Even if people keep pushing you to start looking and go on a date, if you don’t DECIDE then nothing happens. Rely on God to lead you the right person He has already prepared for you.  If you will not start praying for one, search for a partner and save yourself for the future then no love story will ever occur. I hope your motivation is derived from a beautiful portrait of love of your own family someday.

Picture from: http://thebensonjourney.blogspot.com/2011/02/love-story-overview.html

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