Radar On

Ave Maria :-)

Hadn't seen this good friend for so many years... but she came home from abroad - for a family reunion.. By God's grace my friend, plus her 6?yr old daughter and another sister were able to make it to the prayer meeting last nite.. Since the balikbayan friend was scheduled to leave the following morning -- it was A MUST for us to have that chat--- typical  "KWENTUHAN" session . I almost want to play as background music Jose Mari Chan's " Can we Just Stop and Talk Awhile" . Something turned up at home... thought would not be able to join them at Mcdo (haha, where else can we hang out where it's cheap and many can tag along ) . But the Lord paved the way.

Thank you Jesus tho' our time together was perhaps just an hour and a half... still it bridged the long years of not seeing each other... of course there is the internet  and Facebook... but it just isn't the same. Physical presence is so powerful . You see the facial expressions... hear the voice and tone colors... can view for yourself  and experience first-hand  how the person has evolved.. there is laughter shared.. and while there may not be enough time to share all sob stories and troubles... it is enough that you have each other no matter if Time is oh so Limited. 

We mustav given the fastest updates ever... it was in fact more about how her life was abroad... there was not enough time for the "locals" -- me, Tanny, Mm to give our own "status reports".
She treated us all...the youth perhaps about 8 of them tagged along... they took care of the cute daughter... MCDO never tasted so good.
And Mcdo Visayas Ave..will always be the recorder of so many conversations between friends.

Of course we took pictures.... but it had to come to an end.

My girlfriend goes: " Bitin na bitin ako sa pag-uwi kong ito...."

I didn't want to fuel any Emo moment... we had to settle for that long hug.

Hugs... say it all... there was no time for deeper exchanges and blow-by -blow accounts of what happened thru the years..no time to show scars we accummulated ..no time for counseling ... or recounting of happier.. lighter moments in life. Just time for that one long hug that says it all.

Our battle -weary spirits and wounds make us much more grateful for moments like these.

We begin to notice that we are not alone making that trek..in life... that we have many fellow travelers walking along with us... sure they may be on the other side of the globe..but in spirit..because the friendship exists, and is rooted in our common love and faith for the Lord.. ..you know you are walking together towards Him... that as you walk... you serve Him.

She is not perfectly happy..as I am not either.. but the minutes we spent together... sharing about life...our victories.. our sadness ... in the shortest possible time -- it makes for a superb healing moment.

You are just too happy to see your friend bravely sailing her ship in life's tempestuous seas.

Perhaps you are both reading each other's minds... wondering how the other is coping with whatever is the challenge or trial ... but seeing each others bright smile and sharing gurgling laughter... noticing so keenly that God has taken good care of the both of you... it makes you rejoice in the Lord's faithfulness.

It is not about striking it rich... fulfilling dreams of getting it all: a perfect family, riches and fame ... as it is more about  knowing and discovering each day your true worth as a child of GOD.

these days...the Lord just keeps setting an alarm inside my heart : as tho' your personal radar is switched on each time you go out into the world...you sense the tuning and status quo of every soul you meet.

And so while reflecting on my own life cinema... I must as a fellow traveler note the pace of other souls who bless my life.

some  must come to terms with the brokenness of their family -- spouses considering  lawsuits for separation or annulment ...

A father bemoans the "fall" of his cherished daughter.. so young , so unprepared but already facing motherhood soon... we cry with him and enter his parental agony  but  must trust the Lord's mercy..God will see her thru...God will honor the father's prayers...

yet another of our youth leaves the safety of home and country to find good work and happiness in another land..she is all of 22.. we pray that as she finds these..she continues to grow closer to the Lord... that she keeps that flame of faith burning for Christ for HE is everywhere..

My cousin is awaiting his fate... whether the liver transplant will push thru.. waiting how and when God will heal him... in the mean time..he and his brave wife enjoy a new -found peace and happiness in their closer relationship with the Lord -- their faith never stronger!..how is it possible that one can rejoice in the midst of pain and suffering? Oh yes..how possible ! but only with Jesus. With Jesus.

a fresh college  graduate confessed her state of confusion.. not knowing for sure if there is a call to be a nun... or to help the family rise up from financial crisis thru possible future success in her chosen profession...

 We will always see at close range - souls dear to us..hear them.. agonize with them... our loved ones..friends.. who have not yet succeeded in making that defining break with sin.. STILL they persist in living that "double" life... balancing that insane dance of serving two masters...God and the world/or one's self.
 We pray for them..counsel them.. listen and reach out to them... help them as best as we can... at times , we might succeed -- and a soul is brought safely back to Jesus the Good Shepherd... but many times... and it seems to take forever ... we must watch, wait and pray for  souls who still linger in the shadows of malevolent darkness... bringing upon themselves such sorrow and suffering..and at times you are victim to the evil arrows they continuously shoot out.

The easiest way is to leave them ..and let the devil have his way with them.. but Christ's love poured in our hearts gives us that patience and enduring love to watch over them... patiently waiting for that golden moment when they finally decide to Cross-Over to Almighty God.

Let us be grateful for the wisdom , love and peace that God uses to shield us.. after all He wants us all to return home .

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

May Christ's peace cover us.God bless you...........te mye