Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas 2013

I can't believe it's almost Christmas.  How time flies!  I just celebrated my birthday, then we were just preparing for our Christmas party... And now it's almost Christmas.

Before I share some photos with you, let me just share the beautiful message we had at our service.  I was again reminded that God moves beyond the natural. Oftentimes, we tend to focus on what we can see in the natural.  Oftentimes, we get discouraged by them. The link between the natural and the supernatural is called a miracle and God still performs miracles!

If you are facing impossibilities in your life today - maybe you received a bad report from your doctor, maybe you're facing a mountain of debt or maybe you need restoration in your relationship... Whatever it is you're facing today that looks impossible in the natural, let me encourage you...  God can make the impossible situations possible.  God works miracles for His promises to be fulfilled ON TIME.

I was very encouraged with these messages I got from church last night. I hope you are too.

Now the photos...

 Red Willow Unit

Betty Boop & Princess Belle / Betty and the Men in Black

(✿◠‿◠) Merry Christmas!!! (✿◠‿◠)

Just in Time

Have you been waiting for God to answer your prayers and you feel like it's taking so long for Him to answer?  Maybe you feel like God is late?

How long have you been waiting? 10 days? 10 weeks? 10 months? 10 years?

You and I have been waiting for answers to our prayers.  Last Saturday's message was very timely because it spoke to me.  It's not a new lesson that I learned.  It's something I was reminded of. 

God is NEVER late. God is still on top of EVERYTHING.  He hasn't forgotten you and me. He's never surprised by anything that happens to us because He sees and knows from beginning to end. 

Are you waiting for your breakthrough to come to pass?  Be encouraged.  He has that breakthrough in mind and He will bring it to pass in His perfect time.  

Anyway, I would like to share some photos with you from last night.  Sorry for the amateurish shots.

With my Sis and Mom

With my chubby cheeks niece, Robyn Denise

Me & Mom

The event was a wedding that took time to happen but it happened just in time.  When everybody says it will never happen... Ask yourself - Did God say that too?  Whatever He says settles it. 

The groom here waited... for years and years until he was the butt of jokes among his circles of friends. Finally, the moment has come.

Pray for the Philippines

I got an email from one of my blogger friends from Canada requesting an update on what's going on since it's all over the news that a deadly storm hit the Philippines.

Source: theguardian.com

Super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) is one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded slammed into the Philippines. The strength of Haiyan remains equal to that of a powerful Category 4 hurricane. It made its landfall in the Visayan region in Central Philippines. The super typhoon carries a maximum wind speeds of 195 miles per hour with gusts up to 235 mph. For comparison, an airplane takes off at speeds in the range of 160 mph. 

Philippines' second largest city, Cebu, is still trying to recover from a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit them last month. 

My family and I are okay. We're based in Metro Manila which is part of Luzon.

Please remember the Philippines in prayer.

Typhoon Haiyan is now heading to Vietnam.

Time to Reflect

Hi friends!

I'm at my Mom's right now with Sushi, of course. Since it's a long holiday weekend, I decided to go get a stay-cation here at Mom's. Right now as I type, Mom has gone to her friend's house, not too far from here, to play mahjong.  That means to say I got the place all to myself until around 8 tonight. This gives me time to reflect. I have been busy up to my neck with all the meetings and deadlines I had to meet. Those deadlines consist of both personal errands and work related stuff. I'm not complaining because for me, this kind of busy is a good busy. Of course I have to take a lot of breaks in between because you know, I don't want visiting the ER again!

Right this very moment I'm listening to some praise and worship songs for some inspiration and vitamins for the soul. I need this to recharge. I'm feeling pretty good today, not that I wasn't in the past days. I'm just feeling light and happy today. Of course, that's a gift from God. Can you imagine some people breathing, but not actually living life? Some of them are drowning with guilt from their past and they think that by turning their faces away it will solve everything. That by running away from the crime scene, it will make them innocent. WRONG! Do they really think God is blind? GOD IS NOT BLIND. What's more is that GOD IS JUST!

I remember this verse from our service last Saturday.

"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:3 NIV

See? God sees! And if we will let Him do what He does best, JUSTICE will definitely be served.

Thank you, Lord!

Perfect Peace

It's still my birthday month so this is a continuation of my birthday post... =)

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."  Isaiah 26:3 ESV

Thank you, Lord, for the 40 colorful years.  As the popular saying goes... Life begins at 40! Praying and hoping for more better, happier and healthier years to come.

Fab at 40

Dear God,

Thank you, Lord, for adding another year to my colorful life. Inspite of the ups and downs I'm experiencing every now and then, You never left me.  You've been very patient with me.  I still have a long list of  prayer requests, but I know that you hold all of those on the palm of your hands.  Every single one of them is important to you as they are to me. 

Lord, thank you for blessing me with a good life, for healing me by helping me get better everyday. Thank you for continuously providing for me with overflowing. Thank you for the hope, joy and peace I have in my heart. Thank you for everything that you're about to do in my life.  I receive your blessings, favor, love and healing in all aspects of my life with praise and thanksgiving.  

All glory to you, Lord! 

In Jesus' name, amen!

Life is a Choice

I had a short chat with Sylvia, my best friend in Maryland, this morning.  We shared verses and prayer points like we used to; we talked about life both good stuff and bad; we talked about a lot of things.

I shared with her a verse which was texted to me by Izzy, a very good friend of mine, the other night. By the way, Ize, thank you for sharing with me that verse. It hit me in the heart like an arrow.

"So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." Deuteronomy 5:33 

Walk in obedience to ALL that the Lord has commanded you.  This isn't always easy.  Sometimes He gives instruction that wouldn't always make sense to the human mind.  When I get that from the Lord, I get all sorts of unsolicited advice from people who think they know better.  For these people, practicality is the name of the game.  There's nothing wrong with being practical, but when choosing between practicality and God's instruction, for me that's a no brainer.  I'd definitely go for His instruction.  This is not so with a lot of people and admittedly, sometimes I fail to hear His voice.  But when I do get it, there's no way anyone can talk me out of it.

Life is a choice. 

A Quick Update

Finally!  Our August Champ is over.  Whew!  Now I have some free time to post and update my blog. How's everybody doing?  Hope y'all are fine.

Nothing much has happened except that I was busy with work.  I feel like I've been saying that all the time, but that's the truth.  Okay... Alright, alright!  I've also been a bit lazy.  There.  I said it!  But for now I'm back so I'm going to make the most out of it.

Aside from my regular check up, which by the way, I'm grateful to God for the good results, I was also actively posting on my cat's blog.  I just find it very cute and relieves me of stress.  It was my cat's first birthday yesterday.  Here are some photos.

Me & Sushi

Here's something really cute.

Tada!

I will again be very busy WITH work by October and that will also be my birthday month.  Christmas is getting closer and closer.  I'm excited! Wow! Can you believe that 2013 is almost over?   Sigh... I miss Dad.

Well, this is it for now. Have a great weekend y'all!

Thankful Thursday

I'm so happy to be able to participate on TT again.  It's been a while, but I'm still here very grateful to God for all the blessings He continues to shower me with.

I thank God for...

• Being my Great Physician. I'm truly grateful that I'm getting better everyday.  
• Providing me everything that I need.  There were times when I was financially challenged, but He did came through for me and always does. 
• His abounding love, mercy and grace in my life.
• Helping me hit my target this August champ.
• His Words that assures me constantly of how beautiful and great His plans are for my life.
• True friends.
• My family.
• Sushi
• His faithfulness. What He promised years ago is still true today.  

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 1:20

What are you thankful for this week?

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Laurie over at Women Taking a Stand.

If God is for Me...

How time flies. It's the first day of the "ber" months and guess what.  I heard a Christmas song being played a while ago while I was doing some grocery shopping.  The first for this year.  And since Christmas is my favorite season of the year,  I'm excited!

I was talking to one of my closest friends, Sylvia, this morning over FaceTime and we were discussing about how faithful God is.  I told her that there were days when I wake up in the morning feeling very fearful and worried about the future. I was being bombarded with "what-ifs." But when I started praying in tongues, the fear disappears.  Sylvia reminded me how the enemy works and how he will use people to try to sway me off my faith. Sneaky little devil.

“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!" 1 Samuel 12:16

When the enemy says something, we have to counter it with God's truth because we know that everything the enemy says is a LIE.

The Lord holds my future on the palm of His hands.  If He is for me, who can be against me (Romans 8:31)?

Anyway, it's my nephew's birthday today.  Happy birthday, Andre!  Here's a photo of my family taken last night at Saisaki (with the singers at the back).

Reunions

It's been a while since I last posted.  I miss blogging, but I had other priorities I needed to attend to first.  Other stuff had to take a backseat, including blogging. I do miss my bloggy friends though.

All is well.  When people ask me how my health is doing, I'd always say thank God, I'm getting better everyday.  I still do have my regular check up.  It was every week, then it became every two weeks and now it's every month.

Let me share a few random photos during my MIA mode. =)

My cousin, Resi, from the US came home after decades of living there with her family. What better reason to hold a family gathering, right?  So family gathering it was last July 7. These were just few of my relatives from the side of my mom. Trust me, when we gather together, all of us, it'll be a riot!

Lunch at Texas Roadhouse Grill. Dinner with cousins at Army Navy.

Mom celebrated her birthday at Makan Makan Asian Food Village last July 14.

Mom with my sister and her youngest child, Robyn Denise

Finally, last August 15, I met up with my college friend Joan, after years of staying in Russia with her family.  It was really nice to see her again. We had a quick lunch at Kaya, Rockwell.

Though I was MIA in the blogging world for a little more than a month, it was a season of reunions with family and friends.  It was fun!  

Happy Father's Day

To all my daddy friends...

To Dad whom we love very much and who's now in heaven...

To my Heavenly Father...

Would You Like to Have a Glass of Milk?

It's raining outside. Yey! Finally, some cool breeze is coming inside the house. I guess summer is almost over.

I've been crazy busy with work the past weeks. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, busy is good. I've also started distributing farm fresh cow's milk. It's so yummy! I've tried it myself and even checked out the farm where the cows were. If you're a Philippine resident and want to know more about Holly's milk products, send me a message.

The farm

Anyway, my blood test results weren't all that good, but my doctor said, it's not alarming. Yes, it's frustrating, but she said it will eventually stabilize. And I'm praising God for that.  I feel fine and that's what matters to me now. God is still good.  I still believe that healing is mine.  I still believe that His promises to me, ALL OF THEM, will come to pass.  That I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

So... Would you like to have a glass of milk? =)

Yada Yada

I've been sitting here for hours wanting to write something, but couldn't think of anything to write.  Nothing's happening really except for my weekly check ups which will just bore you if I start talking about it.  But I'm good and I thank God for that.

Regarding my work... I'm still doing client calls, closing sales (Thank God!) and meeting my quota... most of the time.  I wish I could say all the time.  =) I'm still waiting for that BIG break though.  I know it'll come.

I'm still taking care of my fur baby, Sushi.  She's such a cutie. She's now 8 months. There's this event called BlogPaws Conference 2013. Wish I was able to attend though.  Oh yeah, one thing new I guess is how I became a pet lover. I especially love cats.

My family is doing good.  Thank God! Mom is quite happy with her new place. I think I already told you that before.  

Financially, well,  it's always been a challenge with the price tags of my meds and supplements, but God has been faithful. He does provide.  For those who know lupus, you know that that does not come in cheap.  Probably in other countries, people are well informed what lupus is about and maybe they have programs to support people with lupus.  Well, not from where I am.  

Anyway, I will have to start ordering my supplements online.  Will have to check if I can get them cheaper that way or buy them from my doctor.  

Well, I guess that's it for now.  Have a happy weekend! 

To My...

Mommy friends...

Sister, Sisters-in-law...

Mom...

Random Thoughts

I totally lost track of time.  I completely forgot that it's May 1 today.  It's a holiday.

I asked my helper to prepare me lunch which I'd be bringing to the office. I called my health card provider and was wondering why nobody's answering the phone.  I was thinking , it's 8:30 in the morning, they're suppose to be in by now.  I called my client's office.  I went on looking for my client and the operator said, "I'm sorry, our employees do not have work today."  I said, "What?  How come? Is today a holiday?"  "Yes, ma'am, it is." I still didn't get it. I asked, "Huh? What date is today?"  The operator said, "Ma'am, it's May 1."

Oh...

Duh!  What was I thinking?

Anyway,  since I've nothing to do today, I gave my cat a bath.  She loved it. She used to hate baths, but now she loves it. I'm sure it's the weather.

I've a light bulb moment too. I was led to this realization because of what happened to one of my friends this morning.

When somebody goes away or disappears from your life, it's for a reason. It's for your own good. Cry if you want to, be depressed for a season, but get up and get over it.

Now I can see things from a different angle.  This is so liberating.

Let go and let God!

Yey!

I had my check up again yesterday with my three doctors. Showed them my latest blood test results and they were quite happy with them.  My nephrologist said lupus is under control.  That's music to my ears.  Praise God!  But as you all know, I'm not just believing God to make lupus under control but to make it disappear forever in my life.  Translation: completely healed!

Photo credit: loadedwithexcuses.com

I think the lupus was "under control" mainly because of my diet.  I eat what most would qualify as "boring".  I'll eat a banana and a glass of green smoothie for
breakfast. Okay, I have somebody who supplies me with that that's good for 3 days a liter. I'll have veggies and fish or chicken for lunch and dinner.  I'll have green salad in between meals. I'll have either avocado, pineapple or papaya for dessert. I'm not perfect and sometimes I still succumb to some of my guilty pleasures like ice cream, chocolate cookies, brownies and cheese quesadilla.

Believe me, with that kind of diet, my weight is still like a roller coaster.  I'd gain some, I'd lose some then I'd gain them back again.  I asked my doctor about this and she said it's mostly water retention and for as long as I'm taking steroids, I'll have that problem.  Good news is, my doctor started tapering my steroids. Yey!

I'm praising God for this!

Remembering Dad

I remember when my siblings and I were still kids, my family would always go to church on Sundays then go to Greenhills to have dinner at Dad's favorite Chinese restaurant, Sun Moon Garden. He would order chicken, pork, crabs, fish, veggies and plain/fried rice

I remember how Dad would plan our out of town trips. He loved to travel and explore new places.

I also remember how Dad would cook his Italian spaghetti with meatballs (Mom makes the meatballs) on Christmas eve and the whole family would stay awake to celebrate Noche Buena together. Sometimes he'd prepare Beef Stroganoff for the occasion which is my personal favorite.

There are so many other stories I can tell you of how Dad was when he was still with us. Memories we will forever keep in our minds and in our hearts.

We love you, Dad!

This was taken on my 3rd birthday

This was taken December 1989 in Baguio City

This is one of Dad's favorite movies, The Student Prince, who's lead character was played by Edmund Purdom. And one of Dad's favorite singers, Mario Lanza, who's singing voice was used by the lead character in this movie.

Today is Dad's first year anniversary in heaven. We miss Dad very much, but we know that we'll see each other again... one day.

Hello Summer!

It's officially summer!

I don't particularly like the summer season because it's too humid here, but what I do like are the get-togethers and the outings. Oh, and the food too!  Haha!

I did go to two outings this summer.  I have to limit it to two because of my condition.  Nonetheless, those two spelled F-U-N.  I thank God that I wasn't in pain during those times I was out of town. In fact, I feel much better now.  I hope and pray that there would be less no more flares now and in the future. Lupus be gone!

Last April 8, my Sun Life family went to Anvaya Cove again.  Well, I wasn't able to do much outdoors, but I did enjoy the get together.  My bosses were very protective of me.  I'm so blessed to have them around.

In case you're wondering where I am in this photo, I'm in front, left side.  The one seated next to the guy in white. Hehe... I understand.  I gained a lot of weight. 

I also went out of town to Bay, Laguna with my NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) family last April 12-14. We stayed at the rest house of one of our senators.

With Rizza Fortes, the wife of my former boss, Deputy Commissioner Jaime Fortes, Jr.

We also went to Mr. Francisco Magsaysay's farm where farm fresh cow's milk is being produced. Yum!

L-R: me, Rizza, Muray, Director Vicky, Alice & Carlos

Behind me is Dr. Jake Borja, the one who oversees the entire operation, including the well-being of the cows.

The farm

L-R: Carlos, Atty. Ven Canta, Alice, DC Jaime Fortes, me & Eddie

Before heading home, we stopped by Calamba, Laguna where our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, once lived.

 Clockwise: The main house, kitchen & library

 From top left clockwise: One of the bedrooms, dining area & play house

Dr. Jose Rizal's doodles & handwriting

I learned that this house is a replica of the original house which was destroyed during WWII.

That's about it.  Brought home bottles of farm fresh cow's milk, the only milk I can take for now.  God's timing is really impeccable!

Thankful Thursday

This week I'm grateful for His word to me.  It's an assurance, a promise that I can hold on to.

"No one will be able to resist you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone." Joshua 1:5

Please click HERE for full details.



What are you thankful for this week?

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris over at Grace Alone.

I Got a Miracle

I was so sure that something was wrong because I can still feel a little bit of pain on the mid section of my back where the kidneys are and lower back too.  I had UTI before my blood test yesterday. I knew my test was not going to be good.

I prayed.  I told God my concerns.

Lord, with how I'm feeling right now, I know something is wrong. But I know you can turn this around.  It's clear that I need a miracle to make the results favorable to me.  So Lord, I'm asking for a miracle.  Not my will but Yours be done.  I'm asking all these in Jesus' name.

And this was His word to me:

"No one will be able to resist you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone." Joshua 1:5

I went to the hospital for my blood test.  Got the results last night.

I couldn't believe my eyes.  My creatinine level was normal.  My urynalysis' protein level which is also an indicator of my kidney function says "trace". That's better than having a positive number next to it. With a positive number, it means my kidneys are leaking protein which shouldn't be the case.

Now that my kidneys are doing much better which I have to maintain, the goal is now to make the lupus go in remission away for good.

God is so good!  He's amazing.  He granted me a miracle.

Thank you, Lord!

Now I Understand

I know I may sound like a broken record when I say that I'm in pain, but that's the sad, awful truth. For somebody like me who's having flares often this season of my life, pain is something I have to live with.  It's hard to explain how painful is painful when I do go through it.  I wish I can, for 5 minutes, to transfer this pain to somebody who's curious or even judgemental on how I feel when pain is there, then I'll take it back just so they will have the "feel" of what it's like to have this chronic illness. But of course I know that wouldn't happen.  They just simply wouldn't understand until they experience it themselves.

Today, I still feel a little bit of pain in my arms, but it's less painful than usual. Days like these I rejoice because I can move without pain getting in the way. This actually makes me appreciate life in a new perspective.  When you're living in pain most days and suddenly you wake up without it or less of it, you'll understand me when I say it's a time for rejoicing.  All I can utter is THANK YOU, LORD!

I wish everyday I will be pain free. I wish everyday I won't feel tiredness or brain fogs. I wish I can be "normal" again.

Looking back when I was barely a teenager, now I understand why I felt the way I did.  Why I had those episodes where no concrete explanation was available. Today, they're all making sense.  Different kinds of autoimmune diseases struck me in the past - Guillen Barre Syndrome, Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome to name a few.  All life threatening, but I survived them all.  I feel like my body is being overhauled now that finally this lupus thing came out, the mother of all these sickening autoimmune diseases I had in the past.  Now that it's identified, I can now deal with it head on.

I don't ask God why me because really, that's one question that I'll tell you you're wasting your time asking.  God has a purpose. He knows what He's doing. He knows me even before I was born.  He already plotted the path I will have to take.  In short, everything I'm going through will not surprise Him because He knew all along. And since I trust Him with all my life, I am assured that the best days are yet to come.

Friends, thank you for praying.  I also pray for all of you.  I don't need to know who you all are because God knows.  I pray that you be blessed in all aspects of life.

Lupus Struggles

Hi friends.

I guess, my posts will be mostly updates on my health for friends and families overseas.  Forgive me for posting less and less lately.  Honestly, I'd love to post more often, but lately I haven't been feeling too well to do so.  I've been having blood test almost every week to monitor progress or regress/lapses on my current condition.

My doctor was kind enough to get me an eBook about lupus - The Lupus Bible & Norton Protocol.  This will help me understand more on what's happening in my body and how to control flares.

I've been experiencing lupus arthritis every morning for the past three weeks.  It's very painful and would wake me up very early in the morning.  I'm also experiencing muscle stiffness and brain fogs.  I keep forgetting things so I have to list down everything I need to do so I won't miss out on anything as much as possible.  This is very frustrating for somebody like me I tell you.  I also feel very exhausted most of the time to the point of not being able to get up from bed.

Do I like going through all these? NO!

But how would I explain these things to ordinary people who don't even have the slightest idea what lupus is?  I don't look sick, I look like I just gained a lot of weight. Surely, some would think I'm just slacking off, but they don't know the pain I'm going through each day.  How do I explain this to regular people? How will they understand?

Aside from these inconveniences, this illness also gave me lupus nephritis. It affected my kidneys and now I have to constantly watch what I eat and how much I take in.  No fun for somebody who's taking steroids, who's constantly craving for food.

May I ask you to please continue to pray for me.  I really want to get well and yes, I still believe healing is mine.  I'm not doubting that.  I know Jesus will heal me.  When?  Only He knows.

Lord, I humbly submit myself to you.  I know you will give me the grace and the strength to keep going because I know you're not done with me yet.  But should I reach the end of the line, I am most excited to finally meet You.. my Maker, My Lord.

Happy Resurrection Sunday

Our Lord Jesus is ALIVE!

Because of God's love for us...

Our past has been REDEEMED.

Our present SECURED.

Our future GLORIFIED.

Thank you, JESUS, for your LOVE... for your SACRIFICE... for your BLOOD.

HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

Lord, Thank You for Loving Me

I'm spending this holy week with Mom and Sushi.  I packed our stuff and brought them all to Mom's.

I'm reflecting on how good God has been to me all this time.  He has provided me everything that I need. He has shown me favor beyond expectation. Though my health is still being challenged, I am confident that God is at work and I'm on my way to full recovery.  Honestly, this has been a difficult journey.  It's not easy to be in pain most of the time, but God has been sustaining me because He gives me enough strength to function normally when the need arises.  It's not also easy to be on a high dosage of steroids because I'm gaining the extra pounds and feeling way too heavy for my normal built which makes it difficult for me to move around.  Sometimes all these difficulties would make me want to give up, but God is constantly reminding me that He is not done with me yet... that the best is yet to come.   

God is so good... SO GOOD!

Lord, thank you for loving me.  I love you very much.  

Request for Prayer - Update

***UPDATE***

I received the results of my blood tests.  My creatinine level is now down to 115.90. Normal values are between 53-115.  Praise God!!!  Prayer is very powerful.  Thank you for praying for me! The rest of the tests are okay.  I still have to see my doctor to know what the next step will be.  I will have another round of blood tests after the Holy Week.  God bless you, my dear Prayer Warriors!

*****************************************************************
March 21, 2013

Hi friends.

I will have another round of blood tests tomorrow.  I haven't been feeling well for the past 4 days.  I stay in bed most of the time because I've been feeling very weak. I really hate having all these symptoms because I couldn't do what I need to. I had to cancel meetings because I couldn't get myself to get up because of joint pains.  Please pray for me.  I really want these symptoms to go away.  I haven't been getting enough sleep either.

God, please help me. I need you right now.

Guest Post: God Don't Make No Junk

We love junk. We stuff ourselves with junk. We clothe ourselves with junk. We beautify ourselves with junk. We surround ourselves with junk. We read junk. We watch junk. We hear junk. We think junk. We even breathe junk.

Given all that, who’s to say we aren’t junk?

Well, if we weren’t so obsessed with junk, we wouldn’t feel that way.

Truth is, GOD did not and does not make junk. He created man to rule over His perfect world. He created man for a purpose.

But we don’t always see things that way, do we? All we see is how ugly, how ignorant, how unworthy, how small, how insignificant we are. We dwell on our weaknesses.

But you see, you are significant. You are special and unique. You are one of a kind, the only you there will ever be. Regardless of how visible or invisible you feel you are, no matter how popular or unpopular others say you are, no matter how rich or poor you think you are, whatever your background is, you are special in the eyes of GOD. You exist for a purpose.

Everyone has a destiny to fulfill. You have been placed on this Earth for a purpose, a special calling. The reason you feel crappy most of the time is that you are not doing what you are supposed to do, and you are not what you are supposed to be. The only way you will be happy and content is if you are able to fulfill your purpose, if you are able to achieve what GOD had intended you to achieve.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

More often that not, the reason we are unable to live our life’s purpose is that we think so lowly of ourselves. We focus on our weaknesses, not our strengths. We focus on what we cannot do, not what we can. We focus on limitations, not potential. We focus on problems, not solutions. We focus on what the world thinks of us, not how GOD sees us.

Each of us is created special, with gifts, skills, talents and abilities unique to ourselves. Even our weaknesses and shortcomings are part of what makes us different from everybody else.

Don’t let your weaknesses stop you from fulfilling your destiny. Everyone is struggling with something. If you think you are the only one in the world with a problem like yours, think again. Nobody is exempt. Unfortunately, nobody wants to admit that. Most of us pretend to be someone we’re really not, and we end up playing a game all our lives.

We are afraid that who we really are – our thoughts, attitudes, private behaviors, and vulnerabilities – would be rejected if others found out about them. And so, we live our lives putting on mask after mask after mask until we can no longer see the real person underneath them all.

All of us make mistakes. But falling doesn’t make anyone a failure. Not learning from your mistakes does. The key is to admit your mistakes, learn from them, and keep moving on.

Nobody’s perfect. But we have a GOD who is. And perfect as He is, His intention is for us to be like Him. Like Father, like children. Isn’t that wonderful? All that is left is for you to always remember who you are in GOD’s eyes, and to live out your life with that in mind.

And don’t ever forget: GOD don’t make no junk.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)

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Jeanne Marie Bernardo 

Jeanne has been working with On Eagle's Wings Development Foundation Philippines, Inc., a  Non-profit organization with the primary purpose of developing and strengthening the capacity of social entrepreneurs through its value chain development program. A writer by heart, Jeanne has written several articles for her own organization's site. Her personal relationship with God is the common theme of most of her articles, and what keeps her inspired to write. Jeanne is mom to Paolo and Sharee and wife to Rommel Bernardo. 

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