To forget.

 

I fear a life without memories. I fear the day I will look at a photo and not remember the beauty. I fear the day the light will dim. And I fear that it's not a matter of if, but of when.

Sunday Lessons: Look at others with His eyes.

I've shared this on my Facebook, and I'm sharing it here as well because I think it sends a very important message.

"To really get to know a person, observe how he treats the taxi drivers, the waiters at the restaurant, the cashiers at the supermarket."

I've been working in a hospital pharmacy for more than two years now and I've seen different kinds of people and the ways they deal with the nurses, the pharmacists, the clerks. You'd be surprised (and disheartened) by how rude and selfish people can be. Yes, you've been waiting for quite some time now. Others have been waiting longer. Yes, your patient needs the medication. The other patients need theirs too. Maybe theirs are even more urgent than yours.

"And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good."

                                                             - 2 Thessalonians 3:13

God always looks at us with loving, forgiving eyes. If we look at each other with His eyes, we'll be gentler with our words. We'll be more careful with our actions.

The next time you're about to snap at the waitress for getting your order wrong, ask yourself if there is a nice way to address the issue. There usually is.

Sunday Lessons: It is our responsibility and privilege to allow ourselves to be deprived.

"It is our responsibility and privilege to allow ourselves to be deprived of the good things for the higher things."

It is our responsibility and privilege to exercise to keep our body healthy, to cut back on soda because it is bad for our health, to forego street parties because we know it won't bring Him glory, to not hold on to money and earthly riches, to not get back on people when they hurt us, because we know that God will vindicate us. It is our responsibility and our privilege to be set apart from the rest.

We must learn to allow ourselves to forego what is pleasurable and choose what is just, what is right in His eyes, because worldly pleasures come from the world and not from God.

"For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."

                                        - 1 John 2:16-17

Sunday Lessons: Move forward with God.

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

                                                  - Phil 3:13-14

"Don't cry over spilled milk."

Just this evening, I was told that I will have to report to work at 6AM tomorrow. I was supposed to clock in at 10PM, and I was really looking forward to getting a long, nice sleep. I have more than enough 6AM-2PM shifts for this month.

I can go on feeling sorry for myself, or I can look at the bright side and rejoice at getting off work earlier than I expected. I have decided to choose the latter. 

"Maturity happens when we decide to move on and move forward."

There's no use acting like a small child and crying over spilled milk. It's time to let go of the heartaches, of the what-ifs, of the could've beens, and start walking ahead, towards the future that God has designed for us.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 

I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

                                 - Psalm 32:8

Sunday Lessons: Generosity is a way of life.

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

                                 - 2 Corinthians 9:8

Before 2013 began, I asked God for selflessness.

And then the earthquake in Bohol happened. The Yolanda tragedy happened. He provided me with so many opportunities to be selfless. I did what I can. I gave what I had, and hoped it was enough.

But today I was reminded that generosity is a way of life. Giving once or twice or thrice doesn't make one generous. God will continuously give me opportunities to give, and it is my duty to recognize these opportunities and continuously be a blessing to others, sharing whatever I have.

"When you have God, you are not afraid to lose because you know that God will not forsake you."

2013 may have ended, but my quest for selflessness has not. It is a lifetime quest I hope I will succeed in.