Tag: thankful

[COVID 19 Diary] Genuinely Grateful

Before writing this, I was sitting on the carpeted floor of my room, facing my window with some sunlight coming in and reading a book, while an instrumental music is playing on the background. Then, it dawned on me.  How blessed I am that I can just be in so much comfort and peace even if the world is going in chaos.

I have nothing to feel but be very grateful because not everyone can have this comfort. There are some people who as much as they want to stay home, do not have homes to stay. There are some who may have homes but they could not even do social distancing because they only have one room. There are some who would want to be home with families but are risking their lives out there helping those who are sick and dying.

Before this pandemic happened, I went through my own “pandemic” in life also for some months. That taught me to take care of my self just like what all health organizations are telling us right now – stay home & be healthy. I’m grateful that God allowed me to go through that because it helped in renewing my mind.

It’s so hard these days not to fear & worry, not to complain & be angry. There are moments in my day that those would try to creep in, but then I always remind myself of who God is and who I am. He is GOD – powerful, all knowing, sovereign, in control. I am weak – will always need God.

All I can do today is to choose to be thankful of every little blessing I have in my life right now. I try to live one day at a time, pray for what’s needed today, do what I can for today. From a message I watched this week, it was a reminder that the mercy God gives to us for the day is only enough for the day. That’s why His mercies are new every morning. He will give based on what’s needed for our day. And so, I should learn to live my day that way also, trusting that His provision is sufficient for my day.

This historical event will leave a mark in my life until the end. The one thing that God has been using this difficult time is to teach me to really be grateful. At some point, I’ve forgotten how to genuinely be grateful. It should be a default in one’s heart. Because a thankful heart delights the Lord.

I’m so glad that in God’s kingdom, status is not required – no rich or poor. God’s love is extended to everyone. And that’s really what I am truly grateful for. And so I pray that even those who are not in comfort right now, those who are suffering that they will know the Lord, experience His Love and receive Jesus in their lives.

Thank you Abba Father.

 

 

Utterly Grateful

Throughout this birthday week, God has reminded me of how blessed I am with relationship. In all honesty, I am never used with people who are not my family in going out of their way just to show me how much I mean to them. I am humbled and grateful. Learning from the past, I’ve learned to lower my expectation on people to avoid being hurt and disappointed. I have to learn and re-learn how to give without expecting anything.

Probably that’s the reason why I always feel overwhelmed on any gesture (nothing is little or big for me) of goodness and kindness from people. It’s a blessing you can’t contain.

“It’s the thought that counts.” That is so true for me. I may not be able to express it properly, but I truly appreciate the time, the prayer, the thought, the present, the encouragement,  the greetings, the conversation, and even just checking on me if I’m doing okay. Every time someone blesses me, I always think of ways on how I can pay it back. I just feel like I don’t deserve such blessing. Then, God would just remind me that I have to learn as well to accept and receive with humility. That I should also allow people to bless me as it is a privilege for them as well. Same that to bless others is also a privilege for me.

Thinking about all of these, I am also reminded of how GOD as a GIVER is. Everything He provides, He does not expect anything. Indeed, we can never out-give God. We think that we are giving back so much to Him – our time, our resources, our wealth. But the truth is, the amount of blessing He gives to us is immeasurable. All we need to do is to open our two hands and receive His blessing.

And do you know what is the greatest gift that He can give us? His Son Jesus. I owe my life to Jesus. He is the ONLY ONE who can never disappoint me. He is the ONLY ONE who can live up to my expectations. Jesus is the ONLY ONE who saved me from all the pits that I have fallen into without expecting anything in return. He is the source of my joy, my peace and my strength. He is a GIFT none can compare.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10

If you want to know more about Jesus, feel free to message me 🙂

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A recap of my 32nd birthday

THANK YOU EVERYONE for all your kindness and goodness! You know who you are 🙂 I can’t believe my mom prepared so much food on my birthday even if I am away from them!! Family Love is the best! ❤ ❤ ❤ And yes, I got a hair cut and for the first time have highlights on my hair! *winkwink*

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Celebrating Treinta (30)

I’d really like to celebrate this milestone in my life with my family. However, since I live away from them, I didn’t get to. But, last month, I had a chance to be will all of them, with my brother also back from UK, somehow, I still was able to spend my 30th in advance. 🙂

We went to to a beach resort in Dumaguete and also celebrated in advance my mom’s 60th since my brother has to go back to UK.  So grateful that we were able to get together!

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I got to spend my birthday in advance with my disciples together with other April celebrants also (Kim and Glow). We had a picnic at Ayala Triangle in Makati. We just love celebrating birthdays! I’m so blessed to disciple these awesome ladies!

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My dear friend and sister in Christ Nang Yan also came over to my place days before my birthday. She brought the cutest cake ever and the rest of the food! But, I was really touched when everyone in her family came over too. So grateful that they also joined in celebrating. Very blessed!

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And on my BDAY! Haha! I had a morning walk and catch up with my jogging buddy Ann at Capitol Commons in Pasig, since we haven’t seen each other since her Holy Land tour. After which we had our breakfast in Starbucks which the staff really had nice and friendly service. Ann gave me a stone from the brook where Gideon was testing God and a very cute pair of earrings.

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Funny thing happened, because my friend Rhodes called me when I was in Starbucks and asked me if I was already awake. I told her I was in Capitol Commons and she told me she was at my place. Haha! She planned to surprise me with my roommate, Kim as her accomplice but Kim failed to inform her I went out to jog. Haha! And so, she waited at my place until I got back.

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That’s her waiting at the hallway. Haha! But, I still got surprised. We had plans for the night so I didn’t really expect she would do something like this. She brought a fully loaded breakfast with all my favorite!

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The plan for the night was to go to the salon and get our hair cuts. I wanted a short hair and so I convinced her to get one too. And, no regrets! After that, we went to my favorite Korean convenience store to enjoy a Korean birthday meal. Too bad we didn’t have container for the seaweed soup. But still, we enjoyed! So grateful for Rhodes to celebrate it with me.

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Looking forward for more celebrations with some more friends! Thank You Lord for the gift of relationships! Would be so sad to celebrate birthday alone… Praise God!

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