A few weeks back, as my
husband and I were waiting for our bus back to Manila, God rebuked me in His
tender and loving way. He used three (3) types of people to surface the real
condition of my heart.
The first:
Two young boys, probably 7
or 8, approached begging for money. My initial response was to ask them, “Where
are your parents?” They quickly replied, “They’re dead!” In Manila, I don’t
give to children who beg on the streets. But with these boys’ condition, I did.
The second:
A woman, probably 40 years
old, tapped me to ask for some money. She has goiter. So I asked, “Did you ever
go to the government hospital for medical check-up?” She replied, “No! I don’t have
anyone to accompany me.” Thoughts were rushing in my mind. It takes a personal
initiative and patience if one desires to receive medical help in a government
hospital. I was wondering why she has not taken this opportunity since that
province has a commended health program for the underprivileged. Was she just
lazy or she has no family to accompany and help her?
The third:
An elderly man and a girl
probably 18 years old entered the station. They were carrying a white covered
pail. They stopped in the center of the bus station in front of the television
and the elderly man walked away. The girl sat on the covered pail watching the
basketball game on TV as she waited for the elderly man to return. I noticed
they had a bolo and a cane-shaped wood. Then it dawned on me that they probably
are going home from a day’s work in the rice field. I noticed that the girl is
not an ordinary 18 year old girl. She was simply dressed and was just focused
on what they need to do. Unlike the other 18 year olds working in the food
courts, wearing skimpy shorts and getting the attention of their male
observers.
The elderly man returned
with two plastic bags, one with rice and the other, a vegetable dish and put it
inside the pail. The girl then asked for some money, took the big plastic soda bottle
from the pail and returned with it filled with ice cold water. She placed it inside
the white pail, closed the lid and together, walked away. I assumed they will
eat their food when they reach home.
As they left, I could not
help the tears! I was deeply touched and rebuked! I had so many questions…
·
Are they a
father-daughter team working in the rice field from dawn till dusk? Or a
grandfather – granddaughter team? Is there an elderly mother or a grandmother
waiting for them at home where together, they will eat the simple reward of
their labor?
·
Are there no sons
in the family that will help in the field or are they all married and tending
their own families?
·
Are there no
dreams for this young girl, or her simplicity just could not cope up with the
demands of a “normal” life?
·
Is this the
design God has in mind for this young girl? To care for her elderly?
·
Is God present
even in this situation and is He still in control?
This incident made me
reflect on my relationship with my father.
Ø I was deeply rebuked and asked God’s forgiveness for
not really taking into heart my role as a daughter to my father, who is now on
his senior years.
Ø I praised God for my parents who faithfully reared us
up in the knowledge and the love of God. I am so blessed!
Ø I praised God for my father that to this very day is
faithfully serving God and is a blessing to many.
Ø I promised God that I will be faithful in caring more
for my father and to be a good daughter to him. I will continue to encourage
him to do what God has designed him to do.
Ø I promised that I will continue to love, honor and
respect my father, no matter what!
I realized that in this rat
race of life, we lose track of the very design God has for us! We tend to be
competitive with our own selves and those around us! We thought that the more
titles behind our name, the more respectable and respected we are. We are deceived
with the notion that the more millions we have, the better our life will be,
and that the latest technological gadgets determine our position with our
peers. And we forget the most important in life --- our relationships!
We have a relational God
and we are relational beings! God designed the “family” so that as a child
grows up, he/she will experience genuine love, forgiveness, respect, kindness,
goodness and mercy, for these are essential in establishing the very character
and values. God desires that we be in a relationship with Him as well. Our family may not be the “ideal” one, but we
still have the choice to make this a “better” one!
Yes, the young girl in the
bus station may not even have a high school diploma to be proud of. She may not
have the looks to capture a young man’s heart, get married, and have her own
family. She may not even have the money
or the know-how to tinker the simple gadgets around.
But you know what? She has a heart of gold! In her simplicity, she lovingly cares for her
family. She knows her very worth and does the design God has for her.
God’s word is crystal clear!
“Honor
your father and mother,” which is
the first commandment accompanied by a promise, namely, “that it may go well with you and that you will live a long time on the
earth.” (Ephesians 6: 2 & 3 NET)
So, this Christmas season,
re-connect with our family! If you are blessed with a good family – empower the
connections! If not, ask for forgiveness and forgive as well – re-establish the
connections. As my husband often reminds me,
“If
there is a thread-like connection left in the relationship, don’t cut it! Let time cover it with forgiveness and thicken
it with healing and love until it becomes a strong cord once more!”
Friends, let us not
waste our time and energy on things that will pass away or will be left behind!
Invest on what will last for eternity – our relationship with God, our family
and those we love!
Always remember – Life is not a series of chances, it is a
series of choices!
Choose well!
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