Gratitude

Time flies and it is fast approaching the end of the year. Things have been alittle quiet for me recently. I have now completed my training and am officially a qualified tutor. The other opportunity did not materialise for me. The one I assumed was God's assurance for my current situation. Deep down I know that He has something better for me, though I felt really disappointed when I received the news. I was questioning God, which I felt was me not being faithful in Him.

The first reading on sunday from the prophet Habakkuk gave me some sense of "It's ok to question sometimes...". Habakkuk was lamenting to God for the situation He was in. When the passage was read, it seemed that I was lamenting. It certainly gave me a sense of comfort. I was always going to write about being grateful and thankful to God once I secured that opportunity but now that it is not in my hands, am I to delay gratitude to the Almighty? I still thank you Lord for all that you have done for me, for all that you have blessed me with. I know that you have great and better plans for me and that I should continue to have faith and trust in you.

Thank you Lord for everything, what you have given me, what you are now giving me and what you have in store for me.

I will give you what you need

It has been a long and trying time for me this past few months as I struggle to find life's path for me. I know deep within my heart that God has an awesome plan for me which I have yet to realise.

Recently, things have been kinda falling into place slowly for me. I was offered a tutoring position of which I will embark on my journey beginning with some training courses. Though this is a casual position but I know that it would be rewarding and an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most. I had my apprehensions mainly regarding the financial side of things, but somehow God presents another opportunity which if I am successful, would allay my fears and at the same time allow me to pursue my vocation of educating.

I was further affirmed when I read this phrase from this particular lady who was successful in building her business,"He gives me what I need". How very true indeed. Though I do not know the outcome of that particular opportunity, I am certain that God will give me what I need.

Lord I believe that you will provide for our needs. May I be your instrument in this world and may I allow myself to be led by you. Thank you Lord for meeting my needs.

My Plan for you

I was sitting in church over the weekend and noticed a young boy dressed in a suit. He was to receive his first holy communion during mass that day.

I recall when I had my first holy communion. Back then it was like the next step in my catholic upbringing, and it did not mean much to me. I was not able to identify with receiving Christ in person through the little wafer given by the priest.
It was not until in my early twenties did I begin to relate with this truth. I believe that God was slowly forming me through the years before allowing me to experience that truth within my heart and being.

Today, as I go through a very difficult and trying time in my life, I try desperately to cling on to this believe that God is slowing forming me before revealing His plan for me, each day at a time.

If you are in a similar situation, don't give up. I pray with you that we will find out His plan for us in His time.

God's Fidelity

I was reading one of the reflections on Living Faith a while back and I was struck by the sharing on God's fidelity. The author highlighted God's faithfulness to us everyday, through our darkest moments to our joyous moments. He is with us through every waking moment and never gives up on us.

I have been thinking alot about this sharing and how my life has shaped to become how it is today. I realised that God has been the only constant through all the changes that has been happening in my life. I feel really blessed and thankful for His faithfulness and have always made it a point to thank Him for that no matter how my day went.

As I embark on another new day, I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and pray that He will lead me to where He wants me to go. May I be patient with Him as He is with me. I pray the same for all of you.

May we always be mindful of God's fidelity and reciprocate it every other day.

Place your hope in me

It really is hard to get over difficult times. You do not act normal and everyone seems distant, especially God.

You question your purpose, His plan for you. Nothing seems to be turning out right, at least in your limited vision of reality. You have to tell yourself that God has a plan for you and that everything is going to be alright. Somehow it seems easier to believe when you are telling someone else, someone other than yourself.

Hope is something that I try to cling on to, especially in those difficult times. On hindsight, I can see God's workings in my life, sustaining me with His Grace and Hope. One very visual sign was this very beautiful rainbow, streching across the sky forming a semi-circle that was just incredible. It is so difficult not to be amazed by the sheer beauty and splendor. I could not take my eyes off it. This indeed was a wonderful sign of hope from God.

He is telling us to place our hope in Him for He knows what is best for us. Continue to hope in God although your situation may seem hopeless to you, for God is planning a huge blessing for you.

Know my voice

"My sheep know my voice" - Theses were the words of Christ. This is an analogy to sheeps recognising the voice of the shephard.

Father recently mentioned in his sermon last weekend that in reality, it is important that sheeps recognise their shephard because shephards tend to bring their sheep out for grazing together with those that belong to other shephards.

It is when it's time to return home, the sheep needs to recognise their shephard's voice to follow the correct person.

It is this amazing ability of sheeps that I strive towards. I find it hard to distinguish the voice of God in the stirrings of my heart. Many a time, I listen to the other voice and stray from the perfect plan that God has for me. I am thankful that He has not given up on me.

One thing I know is that if I follow the voice of love, I am on the right path. This has been the most difficult thing to do. It always requires sacrifice and getting out of my comfort zone to do the loving thing, especially to those that do not deserve it. It is in these difficult moments that I really need to draw on His strength.

Dear Lord, may I recognise your voice and heed your call daily, as difficult as it may be.

Letting go

Recently, we were out in the hills with our friends and their kids. I happen to see one of the kids going around picking rocks from the ground. So I went up to him and asked him what he was doing. He showed me both his hands full of rocks. He gestured that he wanted to pick more rocks to bring home.

I looked at him and naturally replied that he would need to let go of some of the rocks he was holding on to before he can pick more. Without hesitating, he let go of a few rocks after examining them. It was as if he wanted to keep the better looking ones.

I was amazed how quickly he did this. He had after all spent so much time amassing those rocks in his hands, carefully picking only those which he liked. Then I remembered the words of a preacher which I greatly admired,"Let go of what your hands are holding onto so God can give you more blessings in your life."

Indeed, if I can let go of the things I hold on to so dearly, be it burdens or past joy, I will not be able to receive more of God's blessing. What a beautiful lesson I learned from a young child. May you also have free hands to receive God's blessing in your life.