All Rise (some are excerpts from Our Daily Bread)

I can’t remember how I started reading “Our Daily Bread”. There’s also a Filipino version, but I stuck to the original edition. It’s been a habit now; I get one and read my daily dose of inspiration from it. However, I have been remiss lately, because of the numerous endeavours that I partake in. Today, I was able to keep up and I noticed that I dog-eared some pages. Flipping through them, there were stories that reminded me about our limitations as humans such as the story of Sue Kehr, who was a successful nurse, but now she only, makes and gives away delicious homemade bread. The Norwegian Immigrant Ole Evinrude, suffered scorching heat and rowing exhaustion (5 mile round trip) as it also it tested the limits of his human power when he had to row back and forth the Wisconsin Lake, just to oblige his fiancée Bess’ craving for Ice Cream. He returned I bet with a dripping ice cream shake. Dana and Rich for had an ordinary afternoon bike ride; with the thought that this activity would refresh them when they go back home. They did not go straight home; they ended up in a hospital, because Rich lost control of his bike and he rolled down a hill. The Tsunami that struck the western shores of Sri Lanka was devastating and painfully vivid to all who witnessed it. Till now many still shed tears as they relive & remember loved ones who perished in its wake.

What is amazing is when we read and reflect we can envision how through these shortcomings, hope and resilience flourish. Sue Kehr did not intend to have that head injury, but that did not stop her from serving God’s people. She may not be able to perform as a nurse, but she rose to the occasion and amazed many at how God works in her life, by distributing her tasty treats to ministries. Ole Evintrude, tried all his might to please his fiancée, but he conceded to the fact that he cannot rely on his strength alone. There must be a better way, so he put his mind to work. A year later, he tested his lightweight motor for small boats. Like many of us, we can not rely on ourselves to solve all our woes or direct our lives as we want it to. God’s power is greater and as we deepen our relationship with him he’ll help show us a better way. Dana devotedly kept vigil at her husband’s side because he couldn’t feed himself and he couldn’t walk. One day, Rich told his wife that he doesn’t know if he will ever walk again, but he is walking closer to God. The people of Sri Lanka have moved on, the terror would not be forgotten, but Hope sways them forward to respond to life as it heals the loss & trauma that came to them.

Everyday that I read, my outlook towards life is enriched with inspiration. Reading is just one of the ways I get encouraged. Sharing experience with new and old friends add essence to a quiet day at home. I like using the phone for instance to just say hi and it results in a never-ending story telling moment (2 hours not enough, good thing our telephone line is not metered) Messaging online and thru hand phones are great, too. What is astounding is how correspondences like these give me a major high. It keeps me giggling and smiling for no reason all day. Well that is until I get a sarcastic remark or an angry reaction from anyone in my family that pops my bubble. And those rejoinders were totally uncalled for. Anyone with similar tales as I do, it’s not so bad, really. I get infuriated for a time, but moments of calm replace it afterwards. That’s when I revert to reminiscing all the good times I just had. I realize that getting annoyed only makes my wrinkles appear, my double chin to shake and my cute round face to look unglamorous.

But anyway, this is a side comment. What I want to write is life has unexpected turns and we may or may not recover from the previous splendor, but wonderful phenomenon always replace what we lost. That’s why instead of living in the past, I live my now. Its human nature to get envious, but what is not is get obsessed and wants everything even when you cannot afford to. I always believe that many things happen for a reason and that everything has it’s time and it’s season. But I never expected the difficulty when I am the one faced with this disposition. Like all those people I mentioned, I too, have undergone my own personal trauma. My family and some other close people suffered with me, too. Experiencing what they’ve gone through made me a believer. I believe that God’s hand is always open, he never sleeps, he does not judge, he knows what’s in our hearts and He carried me all the way through my struggle, just as he does all of us. Until now, my family and I still carry the burden brought by my affliction. I have members in the family who succumb to pessimism and are overly cautious trying to prevent anything similar happening, fixating on things which are out of our control by preparing for it. In moments like these, I have to accept the good with the bad and raise my troubles to God. He keeps me at peace.

THE STORY OF ANDOY

There are moments when we are compellingly inspired & our days are transformed as we become
a witness to God's Miracle of Love for his children. . .

I would like to share with you a story of this little boy, and maybe you should decide how you want
this to make a difference in others lives & yours as well. . .

Somewhere in Milaor, Camarines Sur, Philippines, there lived a fourth grader boy who
would follow this route to school everyday: He has to cross the rugged plains and cross
the dangerous highway where vehicles are recklessly driving to and from.

Once past this highway, the boy would take a short cut, passing by the Church every
morning just to say Hi to God, and faithfully say his, "Magandang umaga po" in Bicol
dialect (Good Morning in English). He was faithfully being watched by a Priest who
was happy to find innocence so uplifting in the morning,

"Kamusta, Andoy? Papasok ka na?" Opo padre ... "
(Translated: Priest: How are you Andoy? Are you on your way to school?
Andoy: Yes, Rev. Father)

He would flash his innocent grin, the priest would be touched. He was so concerned
that one day he talked to Andoy.

"From school...", he advised "Do not cross the highway, you can pass through the
Church and I can accompany you to the other side of the road ...that way I can see that
you are home safe...."

"Thank you father ..."

"Why don't you go home ... do you stay in this church right after school?"

"I just want to say "Hi" to my friend, JESUS," and the priest would leave the boy to
spend time beside the altar, talking to himself, but the priest was hiding behind the altar
to listen to what this boy has to say to his heavenly FATHER.

"You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat although my
seatmate is bullying me for notes... I ate one cracker and drank my water, Itay had a
bad season and all I can eat is this cracker. Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten who
was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave my last cracker to him ... funny but I am
not that hungry. Look, this is my last pair of slippers ...I may have to walk barefoot next
week. you see this is about! to be broken..... but it is okay... at least I am still going to
school....

Some say we will have a hard season this month, some of my classmates have already
stopped going to school ... please help them get to school again,please God?...


Oh, you know, Inay hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain will pass away, at
least I still have a mother.... God, you want to see my bruises? I know you can heal
them.... Here... here and ...... oh ...blood ... I guess you knew about this one huh?
Please don't be mad at Inay, she is just tired and she worries for the food in our table
and my schooling that is why she hits us ....Oh, I think I am in love ... there's this pretty
girl in my class, her name is Anita ... do you think she will like me?

Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, I don't have to be anybody just to
please you, you are my very best friend! Hey your birthday is two days from now!!!

Aren't you excited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you .... but it is a surprise!
I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go ..." then he stood up and calls out, "Padre,
padre, I am finished talking to my friend ... you can accompany me to the other side of
the road now"

This routine happens everyday. Andoy never fails. Father Agaton shares this every
Sunday to the people in his church because he has not seen a very pure faith and trust
in God, a very positive look at negative situations.

On Christmas day, Father Agaton was sick so he could not make it in the Church, he
was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to 4 manangs who would chant the
rosary in 1000 miles per hour, would not smile and would always find fault in what you
do,they were also very well versed in cursing if you irritate them! They were kneeling,
saying their kilometric rosary when Andoy, coming from his Christmas party,playfully
dashed in.

"Hello God! ....." Before he can finish his greeting. (Andoy heard a curse from one of
the manangs) Bata ka!! Alam mo nang may nagdadasal!! Alis!!" (Hush boy! We're
praying here, Get Out!)



Poor Andoy was so terrified, "Where's Father Agaton? He is supposed to help me
cross the street .... and to be able to cross the street I will have to pass by the back
door of this church ...not only that, I have to greet Jesus. It is His birthday, I have a
gift right here...."

Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, the manang pulled his shirt and
threw him out of the church. "Susmaryosep! !! (does the sign of the cross fervently)
Alis kang bata ka, kung hindi matatamaan ka!!! (Get out of here! Or else. . . was the
harsh reply)

So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the
church. He crossed. A fast moving bus came in. There was a blind curve. The boy
was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time.
Andoy died on the spot. A lot of people crowded the poor boy, the body of a lifeless
young boy ...

Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man in a pure white shirt! and pants,a face so mild
and gentle, but with eyes full of tears... He came and carried the boy in His arms.
He was crying. Curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked,

"Excuse me sir, are you related to this child? Do you know this child?"

The man in white, His face mourning and in agony, looked up and answered,

"He was my best friend .... " was all he said. He took the badly wrapped gift in the
bloody chest of the lifeless boy, and placed it near His heart.

He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared in sight. The crowd
was bewildered ...

On Christmas Eve, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news. He visited the house,
and wanted to learn more about the man in white. He consulted the parents of Andoy.

"How did you know that your son died?" "A man in white brought him here." sobbed
the mother. "What did he say?" The father answered, "He did not say anything. He
was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely about our son's death,
as if he knew our son very well. But there was something peaceful and unexplainable
about him. He gave me my son, and then he smiled peacefully. He brushed my son's
hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead, then he whispered something ..."

"What did he say?" "He said to my boy..." the father began, "Thank you for the gift ...
I will see you soon ... you will be with me..." and the father of the boy continued, "and
you know for a while, it felt so wonderful ... I cried, but I do not know why....all I know
is I cried tears of joy ... I could not explain it, Father, but when that man left, something
peaceful came over me, I felt a deep sense of love inside ... I could not explain the joy in
my heart, I knew my boy is in heaven now but...tell me, Father, who is this man that my
son talks to everyday in your church, you should know because you are always there! ...
except at the time of his death…"

Father Agaton suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with trembling knees, he murmurred, "
... He was talking to no one ..... but ... JESUS. "

There are moments when we reach the crossroads of our lives & feel that we are alone. We were wrong!
He is always there, Jesus is just there, he carried us all the way through. . .