Instant!

It's Prayer and Fasting Week at church, and although I've been feeling so out of it early this week, I found myself heading to Greenhills for Bible Study. It was a Wednesday night, and I decided at the very last minute - it was at 630, and I was coded.

But at 645, I decided to just go for it. I got to the center at around 715 - just when they introduced the guest speaker. I had received a text from my small group leader L, so I knew who was speaking. I don't remember ever attending a talk by Pastor Jojo Henson, but knew he had the gift of prophesy. The evening was nothing short of wow. The whole time, I was in awe of God's love.

The message that stuck to my heart that night is short but meaningful - "The Lord can change your circumstances in an instant." Many times, we're quick to doubt even the clearest of promises - yes, even those in the Bible. But God never fails. He always keeps His promises. Oftentimes, man just doesn't know how to hope in God. Plus, it is human nature to always attempt to fix things on your own before remembering to call on the Lord.

Just this week alone, I have been constantly reminded that the Lord is in the business of restoration. But of course, doubt seeps through every crack and cranny of my brain and heart, and I always have this spirit of suspicion and unbelief. Early this week, during quiet time, I felt God telling me that I may doubt the intentions and actions of others, but I should never doubt Him. "I can do all things, Kaye. With me, all things are possible."

Pastor Jojo Henson gave a great example of instant restoration in a story that happened just a few weeks ago.

His son studies in the Taft area, and because they lived in the South, they always meet halfway. He was to pick his son up along Sucat Road that evening, but it was so traffic on the way to Sucat that he decided to call his son, who was then already waiting for him, and they both agreed to see each other at home instead.

On the way home, he notices that traffic to Sucat had eased up so he decides to make a u-turn and headed back to pick up his son. He calls him on his mobile but found that his son wasn't picking up. Which was odd, because he was just speaking to him on the phone less than 5 minutes ago. So he tries and tries and finally, a voice he doesn't recognize picks up. He asked for his son, but the man on the other end ends the call. After trying several times, he calls his other son at home and tells him to try calling his brother's phone. True enough, someone else answers and kills the call.

As with any dad, he was worried. After what seemed like forever, he reaches Sucat Road, and asks his daughter (who was with him in the car) to go out of the car and walk towards the meeting place to see if she sees her brother. Later, he sees his son with his daughter and he gets down to ask what happened.

"Dad, I got held up." 

Apparently, after the last phone call where they had agreed to meet at home, a man puts a sharp object against his side and declares a hold up. Three other guys were with him, and they took his phone and other belongings. He shouts for help, and the men run across the street and away from him. He was about to give chase, when he decides to stop and pray.

"Thank You, Lord, for sparing my life."

And he goes on to lift up his circumstance (and belongings) to God.

After a few minutes, while deciding what to do next, he spots two men - strangers to him - walking across from him, and holding a bag. His bag! So he approaches them and claims the bag as his. The men explained that they saw some guys running away, and felt they didn't own the bag so they got it (I didn't really understand this part but anyway...). So anyway, long story short, he got back his bag and when he opened it, everything was intact! His iPad, his books, his laptop, Touch, etc were all in the bag!

!!!

INSTANT.

How many times do we remember to call on God first? How many times do we remember that we have a BIG GOD? Do we actually believe He is bigger than anything? Bigger than our broken relationship, than our sickness, than our financial problems, etc.?

God can change your circumstances in an instant.

BELIEVE! He is mighty to save!

My Father's Eyes.

How hard can it be to love a person unconditionally - to see someone in a positive light, without falling into the same old emotion of defeat and insecurity that eventually brings retaliation? Painful. That's how hard it is.

It's been a struggle, I tell you. A struggle that's crazy and reminiscent of riding roller coasters. And yes, I've fallen off many times, but my God is faithful and His GRACE is sufficient.

Thankfully, there is change. Somewhere in there. Somewhere. There is change. A seed that has been planted, and I rejoice in it and because of it. Lord, I trust You are able to make something beautiful out of this season. I am grateful to be here. And although I do not know exactly what tomorrow holds, I trust You are in charge.

So yesterday, I've come to realize how immature I am as a Christian. How easily I fall prey to the devil's advances. *sob!* I am thankful however, that God has used it for His glory. That He called my attention to it. I must remember to call on Him first, before anything else. And I must keep in mind (and heart!) to see others through His eyes.

Loving unconditionally. What a lesson to master. 

A-yah! Extra grace required.

I may not be every mother's dream for her little girl,
And my face may not grace the mind of everyone in the world.
But that's all right, as long as I can have one wish I pray:
When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say,

She's got her Father's eyes,
Her Father's eyes;
Eyes that find the good in things,
When good is not around;
Eyes that find the source of help,
When help just can't be found;
Eyes full of compassion,
Seeing every pain;
Knowing what you're going through
And feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
Just like my Father's eyes.

And on that day when we will pay for all the deeds we have done,
Good and bad they'll all be had to see by everyone.
And when you're called to stand and tell just what you saw in me,
More than anything I know, I want your words to be,

She had her Father's eyes,
Her Father's eyes;
Eyes that found the good in things,
When good was not around;
Eyes that found the source of help,
When help would not be found;
Eyes full of compassion,
Seeing every pain;
Knowing what you're going through,
And feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
Just like my Father's eyes.
My Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
Just like my Father's eyes.
(Lyrics from the song Father's Eyes, by Amy Grant)

Little Boy, No More.

My little boy got a haircut to welcome the new year. No, not my choice as I love, love, super love his long hair. Alas, my mom had a different opinion. So the other day, to mark the new year, she took the kids to Greenhills for a haircut.

RL now has regular hair. LOL!

This was New Year's Eve! Still with his long do.

January 2 - Bah! Short hair. :( He doesn't quite look like my son. Sob!

Haha! In bed yesterday, before he dozed off, we discussed his new look.

K: Do you like your hair?
RL: Yes. Why? You don't like it? (emphasis on DON'T)
K: I liked the long hair better.
RL: But now I can wear gel and look like Uncle KA. 
K: I thought you hated hair gel...
RL: I like it now. It makes me look handsome.

LOL! Where did my little boy go? In other news, Pot and I were discussing this little boy's capacity to understand situations at his age. We've been keeping a big secret from his older sister, and he was so concerned with how we were too obvious and how we could have spoiled the surprise. At four (he turned four last month!), my little boy is no longer a baby!

Itty, bitty baby boy*...
Daddy's dream, 
Momma's joy. 
Smallest in the family,
But great is the love that you bring... 
To your Daddy and me. 

And, yes, it's true
That you will not always be small. 
And, yes, I know 
You'll grow to be strong and tall. 
But my little guy, 
You're just the right size today 
To hold in my arms, 
To look in your eyes and say...

Itty, bitty baby boy...
Daddy's dream, 
Momma's joy. 
Smallest in the family,
But great is the love that you bring... 
To your Daddy and me. 

*Itty, Bitty, Baby Boy by Rita Baloche from the CD Bless My Little Boy (Available at House of Praise stores)

Happy New Year!

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19

Hello 2013!

The past month and a half has been crazy. But God is faithful, and I rejoice in difficulty (it's time I beat the devil in his game of discouragement!). December brought many "firsts" for this little family of mine, but I shall not go into detail here. Forgive the silence, but it is better this way. You will know soon enough, I hope.

I shall attempt to memorize and keep Isaiah 43:18-19 in mind and heart. It is a promise I need to be reminded about! Oftentimes, when life gets hard, and trials abound, we forget that God is God, and that He is in control. The size of your battle doesn't negate the fact that God is bigger than it. In fact, He is strongest at our weakest. Isn't that something to be thankful for? Imagine, the bigger your problem, the greater God is? WOW.

So this year, I pray I find my peace in knowing He holds my future. Nothing else for me to do but trust in My Maker. I pray the same for you.

Happy New Year!