Find Joy in Your Journey

It was a grateful journey in Abu Dhabi finding this blog again aftersometime.

I was daydreaming until I find myself writing again. This time I am home.. in the Philippines with my family 🙂

It was an epic vacation and even I, was not able to forsee that I was not going back. All I know is that I have prayed and asked to regain my strength and joy.

I may not have gained those materialistic and monetary achievements when I came home but memories of good friends (phenomenal people ever I have met), of community services and church activities I have gone through with my Circle of Hands Choir and Singles for Christ Family, unforgettable work experiences and professional people who has shared their knowledge, difficult people who has made me a deep realization to hold more unto God’s grace and mercy, generous people who has supported me financially, emotionally and spiritually, House Hold sisters in Christ whom have given and shared ample of faith, hope and love, loving bestfriends who has been with me through my best and worst, was enough provision on the hardwork as an OFW.

It was a tough yet unregrettable journey of my life.

It was unforgettable of both good and not so good memories.

Painful or gainful? No it won’t matter at all… because it will never be good enough unless with the guidance of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Above all else, God is good all the time! 😊😊😊

♡♡♡♡♡

I’m sharing this last journey of my blog in Abu Dhabi… my heart is wide open to the unseen blessings that are yet to come!

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“Finding the missing piece in you is like reaching the moon,  counting the stars and seeing the biggest star on which you have wished to see it also in the daylight…”

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The Lord has saved me from my selfish desires that I have come unto this journey where I cannot boast. Wherein, I put my whole trust unto His promises of taking good care of me wherever I may go. Apart from Him I can do nothing. May I always be attentive unto listening and doing what pleases Him.

I am praying that when I come back, I’ll be matured enough to be a good daughter, sister, friend, servant of the church and a future partner. Forever I will praise Him. These I proclaim and ask through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Variety, the Spice of Life!

Variety, we call them the spices of life. There are uncontrollable moments that we will feel uncomfortable to some people, some instances, and some responsibilities. At first we will not notice it because we don’t want to feel about it and in defense to that we would ignore it as much as we can. But the truth is God wants us to be faithful in asking Him what’s beyond that uncomfortable feeling we felt.

He wants us to be humble in asking Him a help unto approaching that person/ that responsibility in which we thought it’s impossible to be approached/ accomplished. He wants us to be prayerful and ask Him for his ways not to be dependent on our own conclusions and ignore what’s beyond our uncomfortable zone. He wants us to realize that a humble heart can speak more than any other actions which our hands/feet can do.

Differences may vary difficulties in life of every individual but always remember that there’s a reason for everything.

Some people with superiority make themselves proud at being perfect.

They we’re firm in what they believed in. Their wisdom and confidence has been an inspiration to become a great leader. But there are people who don’t want to think and hear on what others believed in. Some people will find fault from someone whom they think they can manipulate. They point out who’s to blame in every difficulty they find. They don’t want to see unnecessary things in their sight.

They want others to keep on pampering them but they don’t want to understand some people who felt inferiority. They want to be respected yet they confidently humiliate people whom they can tear down. It’s like they’ve sown a chili seed yet they waited for a sweet corn to bear. What you sow is what you reap.

On the other hand, people with inferiority make themselves the least on the list.

There are some instances in your life that made you feel of your unworthy presence. You were in a struggle. You were broken. You want to get rid those unnecessary things you are seeing right now. You want to see yourself free from those people who tamed you. People who broke your heart and made you feel unworthy.

You want something new. You needed an emotional support on your worth. Basically, you want change.

We can choose on what to change within our lives but not the kindness which God has sown into our heart. Changes are good but make sure you change for the improvement of your characteristic on which could help others instead.  If the change has become bitter, change the focus of your heart. Let God change the selfish desires of your heart.

Furthermore, I learned that variety isn’t a bad thing at all. Let the chili seed grow at its finest labor and let the sweet corn seed be the sweetest as it is. These two may vary in taste but of same function. To fill what our taste bud needs.

People vary in excellence and it is fine. We do vary in different ways but of the same function: to love and be loved, to give and to receive, to be blessed and be a blessing to others..

If you fail, try again. Failure isn’t the last page of your story. It keeps you moving. It keeps you dreaming. It keeps you planning. And the best part of it, is that you are learning. And instead of complaining, you kneel down and you kept on praying. That’s the spirit!

Trusting in God’s perfect timing in the midst of waiting is the best way of keeping yourself renewed and motivated.

Don’t give up.

Cheer up!

Remember what God has promised us:

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

2 Chronicles 15:7  But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

as the scripture says:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34 ).

 

May God be praised forever! Amen.

Being Renewed

The greatest feeling that we can feel is when we are renewed. When our brokenness has turned into something that’s new and whole. When love has conquered our fear from being torn down. When hope is seen in every day that you are living. When your faith has grown deeper into your heart and you feel like someone has loved you unconditionally. When you found truth and lived for the truth. When you chose to live happily and give hope to others. When you’re inspired to inspire others. When you found love and when you love unconditionally. When you let God do your battles instead of feeling sick doing it alone. When you submit your everything to God and you let him fill what makes you thirsty. When you have fully entrust to God the plans you have laid, and believed that he can fix everything that’s been broken. When you finally say to yourself:

Philippians 4:13

 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Drowning

Over thinking is what makes you feel like drowning.

It makes you think that you have nothing.

Maybe your still thinking that your future lies on what you are holding.

but the truth is “apart from God we can do nothing”.

• You don’t have enough money and you felt like you were empty handed or no one cared?
  

  Jeremiah 17:7-8 But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

• You don’t have everything and you felt like they’re luckier than you?

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

• No one motivates you and you feel like no one liked you?

 Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

• For your whole life you’ve been waiting for that special someone to love you, and you felt like, no one loved you?
  

  Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

• Your in a situation where you wished for so many times “you were not there”?
  

  Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Romans 5:3-5 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect

Sometimes, it’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay that you’re crying. It will lessen the hurt that you felt. It’s okay that you lack something. It will remind you to be humble and know your limitations. Relax. Ask help. Show them (family, friends, community) that their companion is what matters to you since you loved them. Life has no contentment when you focused on your emptiness. Do not think that you should offer anything for you to be accepted. Money or materials, it won’t either completely make you whole. When you feel like drowning, pray. Take time to meditate on what made you feel like you’re nothing. Maybe it’s your pride, ego, frustration, etc. Pray diligently and specifically ask healing on what made your emotions grow colder unto your self- worth.

 Keep on praying and even though the answers are not yet coming,

Take heed your faith. Trust that God’s plan is always the best more than what your heart is desiring.

 

 

May God be praised forever, amen!

 

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart

Maybe it’s time for you to ask : “How do you heal a broken soul?”

I do believe in the saying that “Time heals”. Our fighting spirit tells us: I’m okay, it’ll be alright. Someone will come to pick me up and fix what’s been broken. By that time, you have created a dream guy whom you will never let you feel unwanted or you could have created the person you wanted to be. With time, you create yourself a barrier to everything that your mind perceives which can give you hurt. By that time, you know what to do already since you have experienced it. By that time, you thought you’re ready again and you’ll never fall into the same situation.

What if the time doesn’t healed you. You were smiling but deep inside you were bleeding. You were with your friends, family or even with a special someone but you still felt the emptiness. You can’t pause the world and say things like: Please, not now. You cannot just put all the dramas in your life while dealing with different people like: don’t pressure me, you don’t know what I’m going through. That’s why, our typical reaction when things worn out might be repellent to others. Worst, there hides the bitterness, that comes out naturally, where you weren’t able to control yourself, saying: “Oooops! I did it again… I’m sorry 😥 I didn’t mean it”. You’re still trying to be nice. But whatever that’s been done is from our heart. No one can deny it.

Part of you is saying that you’re still broken, but you’re denying it since you saw a happy face in front of the mirror.

Personally, I admit it. I’m one of them who smiles but was lost deep inside. So, instead of carrying all these thoughts in my head, I want to ask you: How do you heal a broken soul? I’m still at my search and this song: “Oh Lord, You Are Near” reminds me that God is our perfect healer. He answers our prayers with a yes, no & wait. For he knows what is best for us. If you didn’t find the answer yet, take heed your faith as the scripture says:

Psalm 139 English Standard Version (ESV)

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
³ You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
⁵ You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

⁷ Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand shalllead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
¹² even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

¹³ For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

¹⁹ Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
²⁰ They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
²² I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
²⁴ And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!

The Gift

I see always good thing in them… ^_^

Whenever I wanted to go somewhere but my money isn’t enough in my pocket, I would take a walk if it’s possible. I’ll put on my headset and play the music of the day repeatedly. While walking, I’m reminding myself that people long time ago has no car and yet they travel even for miles. It’s just that we were born in this modern generation. No matter how long it will take, I don’t feel any exhaustion. And the best thing? I enjoyed walking. It has been my best gesture of meditation. For me, it’s a gift already.

But then, I just thought, I should have a car also since I feel like I need it the most. I go to different places which is very important to me like going to church to serve, houses where to meet friends, to attend teachings in Singles for Christ or to go for a choir practice, and the best part is to go to my favorite place “Corniche Beach” where I am able to meet myself in reflection… And so another goal has been listed in my projects.

I see in them the sweets I have wanted to eat for the longest time, the dresses I wanted to wear, the greatest love story I’ve ever heard and I’ve been searching for… in short, the life which I admire and desire. I don’t get envious instead I’m amazed with the greatness of our God because he shows me the wants and he gives me what I needed. But sometimes I ask him, Lord can I have it also? I always wanted to know things deeply. But the answers are slowly coming.

I’m glad and I’m grateful that God sends different gifts to me everyday. I receive them in every person I meet everyday. But of course I get upset if things weren’t on my favor. Telling myself: hmmmmmm… there is something in me that he/she doesn’t like. Anyway, I will just remain silent. I don’t feel like I’m gonna scold you as you have scolded me. There’s something inside that makes me calm. Sometimes, I ask myself: why? I should’ve defended myself or debate with you to show that I matter too. But that’s just inside my mind. I still remain silent and cheers up myself because I am learning. Somehow, I will realize that there is goodness in every situation.

To be patient and kind is one of the best gift we could ever have. I will embrace it wholeheartedly and in times that it will break me, I know I won’t be alone. I will not stand on my own because I know He will always be there to hold me and fill what’s empty in me. But being human, still I cannot take things easily. I cry. I hate but I pray. Hate is the first thing that will come, but then I write, I blog, I sing, I play guitar and I go for a long walk. By these means, I feel comfortable and relieved. I just thought that it was the simple things that makes me happy and go on with the flow of life no matter what happens.

God is so amazing but sometimes we weren’t able to notice and embrace the different gifts he has given. You too might be asking this questions of mine. We might have overlooked on every little things that makes us special. The hidden gifts we didn’t recognize. But how do we know that it’s already a gift?

Knowing myself, and I will not stop unless I get answer, there’s only one thing should be done, to search and reflect in God’s wisdom:

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Romans 12:6
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Matthew 7:11
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

1 Corinthians 14:1
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

John 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

James 1:18
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Romans 12:3-10
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; …

John 15:26
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

1 John 3:1-3
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Psalm 100:1-5
A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that theLord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

James 4:2
You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Romans 5:17
For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Luke 12:32
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

The thoughts of having gifts is not to receive only but to give it willingly as you have received it freely.

The greatest gift we could have best recognize and proclaim is the love of God, as the scripture says:

May God be praised forever! Amen.

Grateful Heart Never Judge..

Never judge people working abroad 🙂 It’s not the money that counts.. there were personal reasons for that very big decision why they went out of their own country, why they chose to be living far from their loved ones, why they had that courage to be in this kind of situation. You too have your own reason why you’re there in your position. RESPECT. If I’d tell you one by one, you might not want to hear it all. Earning money is such a big bonus but earning integrity, good experience/ training, and good faith while there are lots of reason to be unfaithful  is the most important thing in our life wherever or whatever you might be doing to fulfill your dreams. You are not in the position to tell things will be easier if  you make like this, like that. Don’t point out what should be done because this is not your responsibility to lead someone’s life. Inspire them instead but do not act like he/she needs to follow you. Given that only God can turn your path in the right way. Even when you are dealing at your worst or at your best, It is only Him who can create that gratefulness in your heart to make yourself contented and successful 🙂