Finals came early. Projects and other
home reports were overflowing that I was deprived of sleep for several days. I
was really overwhelmed with the stress and pressures from school, adding to the
circusare some uncontrollable circumstances happened on my personal life, and
so ‘QUITTING’ was the last resort I could
think of.
One time inside my room, in the midst of
all the paper works in front of me, a flash of realization came to me
unexpectedly. I was oblivious for a moment. Why do I keep myself busy doing all
these things? Are these things of help to me? Is this the life I wanted after
all? I was literally not happy about my life. I felt discontented, like there’s
a big hole within me. I wanted to figure it out.
Just to unwind and leave all the worries
behind for a while, I went out. I spent the whole time afternoon wandering
around the stores insidea mall with a friend when my attention was held with
the inviting booklet. I usually rushon magazine stalls and bookshops when I go
there and luckily I found a booklet which would answer all my queries in mind.
I was amazed on the price because it’s quite cheap for a booklet with wonderful
cover and high class paper. The title was 'Ang Buhay na Hindi Bitin:
How to Live Life Content, Blessed and Worry-free' written by Eduardo O.
Roberto, Jr., published by OMF Literature Inc.Without hesitation I
bought one. What is a little Php 10 out on your purse when you can even afford
to buy a cellphone load worth Php 15?
I just would like to share a little
something about this certain booklet that made me realized I was not a mistake.
I have my purpose. I was just amazed how I happen to acquire this at the right
time and atthe right moment.
As soon as I reached home, I read a few
pages from the booklet with all of my excitement. On the second page, I was
asked:
“How are You?”, “Kumusta and Buhay?”
(I answered as if I was
really asked by an existing interviewer)
Well, life was totally fine for me, I believe
so because I knew God has always been with me. BUT I WAS SO FED UP WITH MY LIFE THAT TIME, WITH ALL THEENDLESS STRESS
AND PRESSURES FROM SCHOOL AND MY FAMILY; I COULD NOT FEEL HIS PRESENCE.I FELT
WASTED AND PURPOSELESS.
On the next few pages it listed some of
the problems we have. There are problems that are beyond our control and are
inevitable. They are everywhere and we all have it. They are part of our life.
These are just challenges set by Jesus to make us stronger and mature. It’s
like Christ’s indirect way of saying, “Aba,
nakakalimutan na ata ako ng anak ko ah,
bigyan ko nga ito ng pagsubok nang maalala na man niya ako.”But despite these we still
stand firm. THAT MOMENT I REALIZED, I WAS
NOT ALONE AFTERALL. EVERYONE IS ALSO FACING THEIR OWN PROBLEMS IN LIFE.Yung mga problema ko sa school works at sa bahay,
eh wala lang pala sa katiting yun kumpara sa problema ng iba. There are still more challenges that would
come my way. And I should be thankful to Him because I’m still here, being able
to enjoy life, because I did not quit.
As I went through my reading I felt an
amazing kind of mixed emotions. Another question popped again on my head. Like what
I’ve always asked myself, what am I here
for? Masaya naman ako, pero parang iba pa rin eh.Bakit kahit anong gawin ko parang
may kulang pa rin? But before I jump to conclusion, the book itself
answered my question.
'God
has Purpose for You' (after I read this, LITTLE DID I KNOW, A PURE SMILE
WAS PAINTED ON MY FACE)
“Hindi kaaksidente.No matter what you are now or what has happened to you in
the past, He has a plan and a purpose for you”.
We all have definite purpose why we exist.
We were wired according to what He had intended us to be. We just have to live
according to His will. It’s not bad to plan for our life, but God’s plan for us
is still the best. So ano na?
Ano nga ba ang tunay na sagot sa lahat ng kakulangan na nararamdaman ko at mo ngayon? I
was craving for an answer that moment. And page 9 did not fail to feed my yearning.
“The
Answer, ask Jesus to come into your life to be your Lord and Savior”.
The moment I read it I was teary-eyed. I
knew within me that I was not perfect, and that I do commit sins. There could
be times that I even doubted Him for some reasons, since at times I could not
feel his presence. He seemed distant. But I realized all I did was believed,
but HE needs more than just believing. He needs our trust. Believing is
different from trusting.
Despite my vulnerability and fragile
nature, God has always been there providing me a room for changes and most of
all chances. There are countless blessings I should be thankful for, and these
problems I have at the moment are just challenges to make me stronger.
The
author shared a good conclusion from the 'Father of Calculus', Blaise Pascal:
“Every
man is born with a vacuum, an emptiness that can only be filled by finding
God.”
Even
Blaise Pascal realized all these.
“God
Loves You So Much.”
“Mahal na mahal ka ng Diyos,
and that's why He sent His one and only Son to you so that you can experience
an abundant, joyful life ---- ang buhay na hindi bitin. (THIS
PART OF THE BOOKLET CONCLUDED IT ALL)
The confusion inexplicably died out. The
small booklet answered it all. Thanks to the author for letting me realize such
a thing, a thing which boggled my mind for years in search for an answer. It
was a search for something to fill this hole inside me. But the answer has just
been waiting at my doorstep. Jesus has been constantly knocking at my door and serenely
waiting for my response. I’m glad I opened the door and invited Him to come
into my life.
“Will
you accept His invitation?”
I uttered DEFINITELY! No second thoughts
at all. Life has never been this good when you realize God has always been
there for you and that you invited Him into your life.
Ganoon lang pala ka simple. Hindi
naghahangad ng mga complicated na gawain ang Panginoon para mapalapit tayo sa kanya.
He made it simple for us but still hindi bitin. There was a question
again:
“How
did you get this booklet?”
Of course sasabihin kong biniliko sa isang
mall. But it was not the real answer. Hindi
ba't para kay Hesus walang aksidente, lahat ay may worth, value and purpose.
“Maybe
God meant it for you to read. There are no accidents, di ba?”
That line made me jump-off my seat. I was
definitely happy and thankful to God for letting me realize all these things. Praise
God that He has caused me to read and be inspired by the booklet, and of course
to the author for sharing his talent and wisdom to us readers. I was extremely
inspired.