Lenten Reflections

On this season of lent, I am sharing with you my personal reflections lately:

1) "Those who joyfully leave everything in God's hands will eventually see God's hand in everything." -- When you look beyond the pain, you'll see the bigger picture, and you'll understand and appreciate the learnings that go with the trials; then you'll come out a better, stronger and wiser person. That is, if you won't dwell in the past and on the pain.. After the storm, you'll even thank God for it! I did!

2) God is greater than all the problems put together. -- Place all your concerns in God's hands. He knows and understands. He loves you. He wants what's best for you.

3) Whatever difficulty you're going thru, remember that Jesus is journeying with you. He is always with you. Ask for the grace to be able to respond properly and act accordingly, then you'll overcome any trial/problem and come out victorious.. . in Jesus' Name!

4) What do you do when you're lost? Do you go back to where you started or will you find your way out, leading to your destination? When I am lost, I try to find my way out that leads to my destination, where God wants me to be...

God loves us, His children, that's why He wants us to be stronger, wiser and so much closer to Him. I can never ever understand the depth of God's love for me.. I just praise and thank Him for loving me. God has manifested His love for me thru the people He brings to my life. They never cease to amaze me. I call them blessings, and you are one of them. Thank you for coming into my life! I pray for special blessings, healings and miracles for you and loved ones.

Let me greet you in advance--A TRULY MEANINGFUL AND HAPPY EASTER!

When God says, "MINSAN LANG KITANG IIBIGIN"

I believe the Lord can very well say this to each one of us, His children, "Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin...dahil ang minsan ay magpakailanman. "

I remember when my niece had to go through blood test. We had to take her to the hospital. In the lab, there she was, on my lap, holding on tight and crying hard. As she cries she kept calling my name, and looking straight in my eyes as if imploring, "Tita Chic, if you want to, you can make them go away (the med.tech. who's holding the syringe and the nurses assisting us). That moment, however brief, tore at my heart. I felt so guilty allowing something painful to be experienced by my young niece... but it was for her own good.... She has to go through it so she can get well. I would have offered to have my own blood extracted to spare her the pain... but I just can't... I looked at her eyes and told her Tita Chic will be with her when she goes through it. I told her I love her that's why I am allowing it to happen. As I embraced her I allowed the med. tech. to prick her arm to get some blood.

God allows certain circumstances to happen in our lives. And no matter how painful, it comes with a blessing. Sometimes we don't understand but there's always a reason.... and it's for our own benefit, always... because God loves us.

We can never be sure of anything or anyone in this world. Only God's faithful love is certain. Yes, God is faithful. He is capable of transforming something so painful into something so beautiful... in His time.

"Oh God, grant us the grace to be and to remain faithful to You and Your call. You deserve the best from us. Let us love like You do... in Jesus' Name!" GLORY TO OUR LOVING AND MERCIFUL GOD AND FATHER!

AMAZINGLY AMUSING GRACE

"Sometimes it is when you have given up already that our faithful God answers your prayer. Keep your eyes on Him! God loves you and knows what's best for you!" This is the shoutout I posted in my Friendster account hoping it would bless, inspire, and give hope to people. Unknowingly, this message, in about six to twelve months later, would become very much alive for and in me.

Our loving and faithful God answered my special prayer! During Christmas season of 2008, the God of Love, in His amazing and amusing way, granted me a sweet blessing that truly made my heart smile again.

Glory and praise to God for His faithfulness and loving kindness! Indeed, our God is truly alive and listening to our prayers no matter how simple it might seem. I personally attest to the fact that our Loving God and Father is very much concerned with our everyday affairs as much as He cares for the major events in our lives.

Take heart! Believe, hope, and continue to trust in God's unfailing love. In His own sweet time He will certainly answer your prayer. ADVANCED HAPPY HEARTS' DAY!

Just a Little Smile

I am sharing with you one of my Gospel reflections (John 6:16-21) which was published in Didache, a widely-read Catholic Daily Bible Reflection Guide. May we be inspired to stand up for the truth ALL THE TIME... whatever it may cost us.

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In our parish community, I have a friend and prayer partner who is like a mother to me. She is a committed Christian who is very much in love with the Lord. She is a God-first-others-second-and-myself-last kind of person. The Lord takes precedence over her priorities in life.

She often tells me to put God first in everything and the blessings will just continue to flow like a river that never runs dry. She always reminds me to consult and obey the Lord in all things, even if it means going the opposite direction of the world. “Let them hate you as long as you are telling the truth. It is better to lose them rather than destroy a good relationship with the Lord.”

My friend is right. The world will hate me if I continue to strive to obey the Lord in everything. Trusting in God’s faithful love, I would not care if I lose the world’s friendship as long as I could get just a little smile from Him.

REFLECTION:

Do you constantly strive for the approval of others? Seek God’s smile instead.

“Lord, in everything I do, grant me the grace to seek Your smile… if not Your laughter.”