I awoke to a gentle knock on my bedroom door. “I’m coming,” I said as I slipped out of bed, realizing that my children have day camp at my friend’s church. Another knock came shortly after, and I repeated, “I’m coming, just get ready.” I scrambled around to look for my sweat pants and went towards the bathroom, the third knock came. Again, I said, “I’m coming. You guys just get yourselves ready.” Just as I entered my bathroom door, another knock came louder than the first ones, and it aggravated me, so I yelled out, “I’m coming, GO get ready.”
“See, Pretty,” said Princess.
When I came out of my room, I peaked into the girls’ room and surprise to see them sitting comfortably on their bed with their PJs still on. I said, “What are you doing? You knocked my door and I told you to get ready, why are you still not dressed?”
“Well, I knock on your door, and I didn’t hear anything,” said Pretty.
“She told me to do it,” Princess said pointing straight at Pretty.
“Just get ready,” I pouted.
I thought about how many times we cry and beg Jesus to come into our aid, and we never take the time to listen to what Jesus said. We demand for His attention, but never take the time to listen and hear His directions. We stand there and watch for Him to come out to help us, take us to our destination, but, we’re not ready. Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9).
Jesus was teaching in parables and required the attention of His listeners. Were they paying attention to the details of the parables? Did they even hear Him or were they on dreamland? Are we any different than His disciples? We’re knocking, but are we listening? Or are we like Pretty and knocking without hearing?
Today, if you’re waiting on God to answer a prayer, put your hope and faith together, and listen, perhaps, the answer has already been given, and all you got to do is act. You don’t have to keep on knocking. Trust and obey. He is on His way to take His part in your life. But, are you ready? Are you prepared to take your part to meet Jesus?
Friday, April 10, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Pray for my friend's family
To all who may come across this, please pray for this lady I wrote about on my previous entry. She passed away yesterday. Pray for the family. It has been a very difficult journey for them. I do not know of their spiritual background. But, I do know that she loves the Lord and I know she's up there looking down.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Cherish Our Loved Ones
“See, I have engraved you in the palms of my hands, and your walls are ever before me.” ~Isaiah 49:16
At the beginning of March 2009, my uncle passed away due to cancer. It was emotionally draining because he was my closest father figure. Even now, I think about him often and the chance I lost in loving him. I regretted all the times I spent in resentment toward him for something he didn’t do for me long ago. When he passed away, all that came to my mind was all the good he was. And, although I tried to hold back, tears gushed out. The funeral was emotionally moving.
Two Sundays ago, a lady in our Sunday school class who has been battling cancer came with exclamations of joy for no cancer was found in her body. She was so happy she came to Sunday school just to tell us the Lord has healed her and she had nothing but gratitude to express. It was moving for me, because I kept on thinking about my uncle when they told him that he was cured, and, a week later he was gone. However, my heart moved to joy and I was filled with tears for all the good the Lord was doing all around me.
But, today I witnessed her unmoving body in ICU. No life was apparent and her family was present. I witnessed the tears her daughters shed and the sorrows they showed, I felt powerless, I stood there motionless and tried to speak, but no word would be of comfort to them. I spoke to her and asked her to fight for her daughter’s sake. I said, “I don’t know if you could hear me, but I came to visit you…I want you to fight for your daughter’s sake, for the sake of those who have been praying for you, and for my sake. I’ve been encouraged by your courage and strength. I may be selfish, but I want you back for a little longer. Please, come back.” As, I spoke her daughters sobbed and their uncle stood by. I prayed for her and one of her daughters ushered me out to the waiting room to meet the rest of the family members.
I left physically, but my thoughts were digging for answers to comfort her family and what will happen to her. I was deeply moved by what I saw, I lost track of my directions. I have no idea of the directions I came and I had to ask the workers of the hospitals for help, they ushered me out of the building.
I continued to wonder and contemplate on her condition. What will happen to her and how soon before I know the outcome? “Lord, help her. Please, comfort her daughters.” As I started my car, my mind shifted to my mom. What would I have done if that was my mom lying there?
Then, I thought about my aunt. What has happened to her and how is she doing without my uncle? So, I reached for my phone and called my aunt. No answer. And later on, I called my mom. The sound of her voice seemed to bring some comfort into my heart.
As I hung up with her, I continued to wonder about how often we forget to treasure the presents God gave us. He wrapped and decorated each present-our loved ones in their special characters, and no other present or person can replace this particular one. How have I showed my loved ones my appreciation of their presence in my life? Have I fully expressed my love to them? When our friendships on earth end, will I cry cries of regret or sing with joy?
As I wondered on, all the blessings the Lord has brought into my life rushed into my mind. He reminded me of the verse He gave me last year, “See, I have engraved you in the palms of my hands, and your walls are ever before me.” Just knowing that He is in total control and He sees my every move brought comfort to my heart.
Today, if you find yourself wondering on and on as I did, rest assure that you are engraved in the palms of His hands and your walls are ever before Him. There is not an inch in your life that happens without His knowledge. If you accepted Christ as your personal Savior, you are permanently engraved in His hands and all your ways are before Him. Some experiences are harder to bear than others, but He is still in control. He knows. And, He promises to supply ample ways for you to overcome your challenges.
God bless you!
At the beginning of March 2009, my uncle passed away due to cancer. It was emotionally draining because he was my closest father figure. Even now, I think about him often and the chance I lost in loving him. I regretted all the times I spent in resentment toward him for something he didn’t do for me long ago. When he passed away, all that came to my mind was all the good he was. And, although I tried to hold back, tears gushed out. The funeral was emotionally moving.
Two Sundays ago, a lady in our Sunday school class who has been battling cancer came with exclamations of joy for no cancer was found in her body. She was so happy she came to Sunday school just to tell us the Lord has healed her and she had nothing but gratitude to express. It was moving for me, because I kept on thinking about my uncle when they told him that he was cured, and, a week later he was gone. However, my heart moved to joy and I was filled with tears for all the good the Lord was doing all around me.
But, today I witnessed her unmoving body in ICU. No life was apparent and her family was present. I witnessed the tears her daughters shed and the sorrows they showed, I felt powerless, I stood there motionless and tried to speak, but no word would be of comfort to them. I spoke to her and asked her to fight for her daughter’s sake. I said, “I don’t know if you could hear me, but I came to visit you…I want you to fight for your daughter’s sake, for the sake of those who have been praying for you, and for my sake. I’ve been encouraged by your courage and strength. I may be selfish, but I want you back for a little longer. Please, come back.” As, I spoke her daughters sobbed and their uncle stood by. I prayed for her and one of her daughters ushered me out to the waiting room to meet the rest of the family members.
I left physically, but my thoughts were digging for answers to comfort her family and what will happen to her. I was deeply moved by what I saw, I lost track of my directions. I have no idea of the directions I came and I had to ask the workers of the hospitals for help, they ushered me out of the building.
I continued to wonder and contemplate on her condition. What will happen to her and how soon before I know the outcome? “Lord, help her. Please, comfort her daughters.” As I started my car, my mind shifted to my mom. What would I have done if that was my mom lying there?
Then, I thought about my aunt. What has happened to her and how is she doing without my uncle? So, I reached for my phone and called my aunt. No answer. And later on, I called my mom. The sound of her voice seemed to bring some comfort into my heart.
As I hung up with her, I continued to wonder about how often we forget to treasure the presents God gave us. He wrapped and decorated each present-our loved ones in their special characters, and no other present or person can replace this particular one. How have I showed my loved ones my appreciation of their presence in my life? Have I fully expressed my love to them? When our friendships on earth end, will I cry cries of regret or sing with joy?
As I wondered on, all the blessings the Lord has brought into my life rushed into my mind. He reminded me of the verse He gave me last year, “See, I have engraved you in the palms of my hands, and your walls are ever before me.” Just knowing that He is in total control and He sees my every move brought comfort to my heart.
Today, if you find yourself wondering on and on as I did, rest assure that you are engraved in the palms of His hands and your walls are ever before Him. There is not an inch in your life that happens without His knowledge. If you accepted Christ as your personal Savior, you are permanently engraved in His hands and all your ways are before Him. Some experiences are harder to bear than others, but He is still in control. He knows. And, He promises to supply ample ways for you to overcome your challenges.
God bless you!
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