Dear Self,
I believe in you! Keep going.
Remember that you are destined for greatness.
Most importantly, radiate love and grace.
Always ~
Love,
Me (2022)
Dear Self…
Tag: love
SEEDS FOR 2018
“Everything in life begins as a seed. “
It was no doubt that our pastor was on point when he began the word by sharing this meaningful line. Everything we have now in life is the result of what have planted before. Think of doctors or lawyers or even the students who graduated with flying colors as examples. Efforts and time were spent by them. Not to mention the money they have invested or maybe the getaways, parties they have skipped. These people sacrificed something precious to them, whether it is their time or a thing just to GET. THAT. GOAL! (whatever it is)
That being the case, I decided to begin my 2018 with a sweet sacrifice – planting seeds. Seed of faith, of hope and of love. Like the usual farming, this will never be easy. It will take time and efforts for me to cultivate its soil and nurture it. It will require tons of patience, especially when waiting for the harvest takes part. It will surely cost me. It will be exhausting. But… I am confident that one day, these precious seeds will grow as trees that are rooted to God and will bear fruits of unshakable faith, never-ending hope and overflowing love, benefited by everyone. ♥
On the other note, I just wanted to spread the sovereignty and greatness of God. To some who does not know, I was on social media fast these past weeks. This means that instead of scrolling my timeline endlessly, praying and reading the word became my course of action (thank that guy who invented the bible app). God’s promises are so alive to the extent that my first month of the year has been ended by receiving an award at work… being the associate of the month.
Give Love Even To Those Who Hurt You…
It’s easy to love someone who does good things to you, someone who will respond and smile when you first say “hello”. Someone who will always be there for you, to hug you, comfort you when needed, or someone who loves you at all. But what if that someone is not the one you expect them to be?
How can you possibly love someone who hates you that much? Someone who spread rumors and talk rubbish things when you are not around? Someone who never likes anything about you? How will you love them?
I’ve spent many hours crying over the things that I cannot accept, struggling to understand why these people whom I thought were my friends, my 2nd family, people who once said they care, never really liked me? They hate my existence. And up till now, I cannot understand why because they were all giving me their best sweet smiles and words every time I’m with them.
My heart breaks and for few minutes, I knew, it’s covered with hatred – rage. I wanted to return evil for evil. I wanted to unleash every ounce of pent-up anger. But a good friend of mine said “we do not live for ourselves but for others.” Hence, advised me to love my enemies and pray for them instead.
As I contemplate the words he shared, I was led to read these verses:
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” [Luke 6:27-28]
This is one of the most difficult commands in the scripture. It requires too much – forgiveness, understanding, patience and love. And to be honest, I cannot do it alone. Apart from Christ, it’s impossible for me to love those kind of people.
But… who am I not to forgive them and not do what Jesus asked me to do?
After all, I don’t want my heart to be corrupted by the ugliness and bitterness of life. Yes, there are times we will feel it but it’s up to us if we will entertain or reject what Satan is throwing out on us. That will define who we are.
I want my life to be characterized by the grace of God, His unconditional love, not only for those who accepted Christ but to all. To all. Meaning to say, I shouldn’t be picky who to love. I should love not only the people who love me but also to the people who hate me. I should understand why such thing happens and have more patience to deal with it. God has a purpose and I know His plan will always be the best as long as I submit to Him.
So yes, even if it’s hard, I should give love even to those who hurt me… (of course, with God’s help) ❤
Letting Go
During our childhood days, we have this precious gem that will glimmer like a shot when all of our toys were trot out from our play boxes. It can be your best-loved doll, laser gun, cooking set, toy car or an action figure. Mine was a stuff toy – a bunny, a cute, white-pink bunny. I even called it “Benny Bunny” (Yes, I put names on things).
For me, I considered “Benny” as the love of my life that time. I talk, clean and take good care of it. I always make sure that it will always be on my sight, my side. I would even cry and get sick every time mom will rip its ears or head if I don’t study well.
And because she has been charged as guilty (so many times) for torturing my love, she will initiate to buy me a new one, more presentable, neater and cuter. But I was too attached and always thought that it’s one-of-a-kind stuff toy in this world so… I wouldn’t let go of it. I would still look for it over and over again until I end up with “Benny”.
Then one day… it was gone.
Letting go. Easier said than done, I guess. Two simple words yet one of the most complex things to do. Wished by many but accomplished by few.
We’re desperate to let go of our past, especially the not-so-good ones. Business lost, company closed, partner left, friends betrayed or worst comes to worst, loved ones died. We remain stuck and chained, wishing to escape from all the hurts, pains, regrets and bitterness. We simply wanted to speed up the process of letting go.
But the question is…
“How?”
“How do we really let go?”
For now, I leave you this food for thought that I had from my devotion – “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. (Philippians 3:13)”
Good day, folks!
SABI NILA…
Well, I challenged myself to write any kind of song and came up to this. (please forgive me on my “kakornihan”)
SABI NILA…
Sabi nila, hindi daw tayo bagay
Sabi nila, hindi daw natin kaya
Sabi nila, hindi daw tayo mag-tatagal
Sabi nila, sa umpisa lang masaya
ang pag-iibigang ito
Sabi nila, tayo daw ay mag-aaway
pagkatapos ay mag-hihiwalay
Ngunit… sasabihin ko na sayo
Ngayon pa lang, iyan ay sabi lang
Paniwalaan mo itong sasabihin ko
Kasi naman, ito ang totoo.
Mahal kita. Bagay tayo. Kaya natin to.
Karamay mo ko sa saya o sa lungkot
Hindi kita pagpapalit at iiwan
Pagkat ikaw, ikaw aking mahal.
Sabi nila, darating din ang araw
Na tayo ay magsasawa
Sabi nila, balang araw ay masasabi
Nating tama sila
Hindi mahalaga ang sabi nila
Paniwalaan mong mahal kita
Hindi totoo ang sabi ng iba
Pagka’t tayo’ y para sa isa’t isa¬
Mahal kita. Bagay tayo. Kaya natin to…
MY “SPECIAL” BEST FRIEND
“How lucky are you right now?”
This was the question thrown at me when I participated in Toastmaster’s Table Topic. It’s an activity where in they ask you a question on the spot (which I’m not really good at btw) and you have maybe, 5 seconds to organize your thoughts and 2 minutes to answer it.
To tell you honestly, I hate impromptus and I am totally not into public speaking. I easily get nervous which leads me to a blank state. So… I really do not know how I survived that night. All I can remember was I answered it through singing one line from a song “…I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend (Lucky by Jason Mraz)” and the rest was all vague.
I wanted to share with you guys how my special best friend is like.
He perfectly knows everything about me. He was and is always there for me. He is protective. He has so many great plans for me and for my loved ones. He loves me not only with the best traits I have but also the worst. There are times I fight and would turn away from Him but He is still willing to accept me. I know I do not deserve such great love, I do not deserve Him yet He keeps on reminding me that those are not true and He will do anything for me even if it means sacrificing His own precious life. He is so loving.
Yes, I am lucky (or should I say BLESSED) that I’m in love with my best friend, with God. He showered me so much love, the reason why I have answered that question in that way. His love overflows in me and I can’t contain it so I had to share it. As they say, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”.
Stay Blessed and be a blessing! Ciao*
FEBRUARY “FOUR”TEEN
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.
Flowers. Chocolates. Teddy Bears. Love letters. Surprises. Name it! When our calendar hits February 14, every heart-melting gestures you could ever think of a person can do with their significant others is scattered in every part of the world. (without any hesitations, I know you know why!)
Nowadays, the Big “V” day becomes so hyped-up – whether you are single or not – because of the underlying “love” displays in any advertisements. Of course, there’s a good and bad side of it. Good side is, we can have unique ideas on how will we express our love for our partners, parents, siblings and friends. Bad side is, we (oftentimes) forget the real meaning of love. The genuine and self-sacrificing love that God showed and taught to us.
Allow me to share my favorite bible verses that discuss what true love looks like:
1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
“Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous, it does not boast, it does not become conceited, it does not behave dishonorably, it is not selfish, it does not become angry, it does not keep a record of wrongs, it does not rejoice at unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will pass away. If there are tongues, they will cease. If there is knowledge, it will pass away.”
2. 1 John 4:16-18 (NIV)
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
3. Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4. John 3:16 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”
We can always show our love to someone. We can always say “I love you”, “You are special” or “Thank you” to them. We can always give something to make them happy. We can always take them out for a date. Simply because, we don’t need a fixed date to express our love –everyday can always be a Valentine’s day!
And to end this, let’s all (whether we have a Valentine or not) don’t forget the greatest love of all – GOD’S LOVE FOR US.
God Bless and I love you, all!
The Story of my life ... 