God directs our lives, let's put our trust in Him

It is God who directs the lives of His creatures; everyone's life is in His power. - Job 12:10

Our Little Hero

OUR FAVORITE ATE was given recognition this morning by the Bureau of Fire and the Department of Interior and Local Government for saving our lives (yes, me, Star and their Yaya Flora) during a fire in our condo last year.

I praise God for Ate Pia. She risked her own life along with her Yaya and went down 21 floors using the fire exit -- from the 33rd floor penthouse where she had an early afternoon swimming to our 12th floor unit. While her Yaya panicked upon seeing the thick smoke billowing near the elevator, our Ate Pia never lost composure and bravely went back for us, guiding her yaya to our unit.

Because of her bravery and presence of mind, we managed to go out of the building safely. In fact, we were among the few ones who got out of the building first. While there was no big damage in the condo, the firemen said we could have been harmed by the thick smoke. The danger struck me especially after KC De Venecia (the daughter of Speaker De Venecia) died of suffocation when a fire hit their home days after the incident in our condo.

I thank God for The Learning Tree for teaching their students about fire safety and what to do in case of fire. Because of the fire drill in school, Ate Pia knew what to do when we encountered the fire. Shame on me -- I panicked myself when I saw the thick smoke at the fire exit near our unit. Pia brought me back to my senses.

But I thank God most of all because of her selfless act -- going back for us when most kids her age (she was only 8 yrs old when it happened) would have only thought of themselves.

When I asked her why she came back for us when she and her yaya could have just conveniently gone straight out to safety, I was so touched with what I heard. Without batting an eyelash she told me "Of course, Mommy, because I love you." Oh the unconditional love of little children. Truly, Ate Pia lives up to her name - Sofia, full of wisdom!

Reflections

LESSONS IN LIFE
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going



While walking home from school one day, my son (then 6 years old) started to throw tantrums. He wanted us to take a ride for a 100-meter stretch from where we got off. I gently reminded him that we often took that path and at times, we would even walk longer. But instead of listening, he started to grumble and stump his feet.

The incident with my son reminded me of the attitude of a lot of us grown-ups, when faced with life's difficulties. Instead of counting our blessings, we tend to fret when we do not get what we want or when things do not turn out as we expected. Instead of looking at difficult circumstances as challenges that could make us stronger, we take these as burdens that we do not deserve.

The Apostle Paul tells us that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Thus, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we can rely on God's promise that He will work for our good.

There are times in our lives when we do not understand the difficulties we face. At times, they can be so great we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. But sufferings happen for different reasons. Sometimes, they are consequences of the wrong decisions we make. At times though, they happen simply because the ultimate deceiver, Satan, is pushing us to give up our faith in God.

Yet, after each suffering lessons are learned. Apostle Paul even tells us that we should rejoice in our sufferings because suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

When he wrote the letter to the Romans, Apostle Paul knew what he was talking about. He was imprisoned and bound by chains. Yet, he did not look at his circumstances. He knew that something good would come out of it. And he encouraged the early Christians to have the same attitude. We should all have the same attitude.

Paul knew that through sufferings, we grow in spiritual maturity. Trials produces perseverance in us, it molds our character and brings us closer to God. It also builds up our hope in Him knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Instead of fretting, let us humble ourselves before God to ask for His help, to seek His guidance and strength in enduring all the hardships. We must not let our circumstances become stumbling blocks, rather we must make them as stepping stones towards a more meaningful life with and for God.

Have a more meaningful New Year!

From the Good Book

Have I not commanded you? Be stong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Happy New Year!

Our Favorite Daddy

Who else! (smile, smile!)