"They also serve who only stand and wait."

One message stands out today. "They also serve who only stand and wait."

I found this while reading today's Streams in the Desert devotional. And then a friend has forwarded me an article from Fr. James Donelan, S.J entitled "The Sacrament of Waiting".

All these things have reminded me of the first devotional I read from Streams in the Desert, which is about God's loving challenge, "to think of the deepest, highest, worthiest desire and longing of our hearts, something which perhaps was our desire for ourselves... That thing God intends to do for us, if we will let Him." - Nothing is too hard, by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman (6-Nov).

For days I've been asking what my next stop will be. Maybe because it's the beginning of another year again. I've been asking and waiting.. no, I've been demanding at first, apathetic the second, ending up not being sure of whether each step I take is according to what He wills for me.

"For if we never learn to wait, we will never learn to love someone other than ourselves."

He taught me something important again today. All the while, I was expecting. Giving up the waiting was a means to avoid disappointment, convincing myself that it's the only way towards acceptance.

I forgot all about hope. That whatever happens, things will work out well. After all, I'm only here for His purpose.

I feel that this is an important day. Because for the first time in my life, I'm sure that each and every second of my life, each event, each situation, each person, are all here acting for His one single purpose. That for a brief moment, I saw His Hand on me.

Someone is coming. I'm too elated, it's leaving me breathless.


====================================================================================
THE SACRAMENT OF WAITING
Fr. James Donelan, S.J.

The English poet John Milton wrote that those who serve only also stand
and wait. I think I would go further and say that those who wait render
the highest form of service. Waiting requires more discipline, more
self-control and emotional maturity, more unshakable faith in our cause,
more unwavering hope in the future, more sustaining love in our hearts
that all the greatest deeds of derring-do go by the name of action.

Waiting is a mystery - a natural sacrament of life - there is a meaning
hidden in all the times we have to wait. It must be an important mystery
because there is so much waiting in our lives. Everyday is filled with
those little moments of waiting (testing our patience and our nerves,
schooling us in self-control). We wait for meals to be served, for a
letter to arrive, for a friend to call or show up for a date. We wait in
line at cinemas and theaters, concerts and circuses. Our airline
terminals, railway stations and bus depots are great temples of waiting
filled with men and women who wait in joy for the arrival of a loved one
- or wait in sadness to say goodbye and give the last wave of hand. We
wait for springs to come - or autumn - for the rains to begin and stop.
And we wait for ourselves to grow from childhood to maturity. We wait
for those inner voices that tell us when we are ready for the next stop.

We wait for graduation, for our first job, our first promotion. We wait
for success and recognition. We wait to grow up - to reach the stage
where we make our own decisions. We cannot remove this waiting from our
lives. It is a part of the tapestry of living - the fabric in which the
threads are woven to tell the story of our lives. Yet current
philosophies would have us forget the need to wait. "Grab all the gusto
you can get!" So reads one of America's greatest beer ads - get it now!
Instant pleasure, instant transcendence. Do not wait for anything. Life
is short
- eat, drink and be merry because tomorrow you will die. And so they
rationalize us into accepting unlicensed and irresponsible freedom -
pre-marital sex and extra marital affairs - they warn against
attachments and commitments - against expecting anything of anybody, or
allowing them to expect anything of us - against dropping any anchors in
the currents of our life that will cause us to hold and wait.

This may be the correct prescription for pleasure - but even that is
fleeting and doubtful - what was it Shakespeare said about the mad
pursuit of pleasure - "Past reason hunted, and once had, past reason
hated."


Not if we wish to be real human beings, spirit as well as flesh, soul as
well as heart, we have to learn to wait. For if we never learn to wait,
we will never learn to love someone other than ourselves.

For most of all waiting means waiting for someone else. It is a mystery,
brushing by our face everyday like a stray wind of leaf falling from a
tree. Anyone who has loved knows how much waiting goes into it - how
much waiting is important for love to grow, to flourish through a
lifetime. Why is this? Why can we not have it right now what we so
desperately want and need? Why must we wait - two years, three years -
and seemingly waste so much time? You might as well ask why a tree
should take so long to bear fruit - the seed to flower - carbon to
change to diamond. There is no simple answer - no more than there is to
life's other demands - having to say goodbye to someone you love because
either you or they have made other commitments; or because they have to
grow and find the meaning of their own lives - having yourself to leave
home and loved ones to find your own path - good-byes, like waiting, are
also sacraments of our lives.

All we know is that growth - the budding, the flowering of love needs
patient waiting. We have to give each other a time to grow. There is no
way we can make someone else truly love us or we them, except through
time. So we give each other that mysterious gift of waiting - of being
present without asking demands and rewards. There is nothing harder to
do than this. It truly tests the depth and sincerity of our love. But
there is life in the gift we give. So lovers wait for each other - until
they can see things the same way - or let each other freely see things
in quite different ways.

There are times when lovers hurt each other and cannot regain the
balance of intimacy of the way they were.
They have to wait - in silence - but still present to each other - until
the pain subsides to an ache and then only a memory and the threads of
the tapestry can be woven together again in a single love story. What do
we lose when we refuse to wait; when we try to find shortcuts through
life - when we try to incubate love and rush blindly and foolishly into
a commitment we are neither mature nor responsible enough to assume?
We lose the hope of truly loving or of being loved.
Think of all the great love stories of history and literature - isn't it
of their very essence that they are filled with this strange but common
mystery - that waiting is part of the substance -the basic fabric
against which the story of that true love is written.
How can we ever find either life or true love if we are too impatient to
wait for it?

Waiting is a good thing only if something is worth waiting for. How will
you know if it's worth it? Gut feel. What if you don't trust your gut?
Pray. You will be enlightened. Trust me. Is it wrong to expect while
waiting? It's not wrong, but it will increase your chances of heartbreak
and disappointment if things don't work out in the end. Is it good to
expect while waiting? It is better to HOPE. What's the difference
between hoping and expecting? HOPING means you're open to either side of
the coin landing though you're more inclined to believe that things will
turn out well.
EXPECTING means you're thinking single-track... which won't do you much
good at all. What's the difference between waiting and expecting?
EXPECTING is waiting for something TO DEFINITELY HAPPEN. WAITING is
staying where you are, but not necessarily expecting something to happen
definitely.

Do you need assurance from someone you're waiting for while you're
waiting? Ideally, yes. But realistically, do you really want assurance
from this person? It's so easy to just point at something and make that
the reason why you're waiting ("Because she said..."
"Because he told me that..."). With WAITING, all you really can rely on
are three things: your gut feel, your heart and mind. Just YOURSELF, not
anyone else.
So should you wait? What does your gut say? How does your heart feel?
What does your mind think? If they're saying different things, keep
asking yourself these three questions (and pray!) until you get a solid
answer.

THEN you'll know if he or she is worth waiting for.
====================================================================================

Na margem do rio Piedra eu sentei e chorei by Paulo Coelho

MY FAVORITE PRAYER...
"Thy will be done, my Lord. Because you know the weakness in the heart of your children, and you assign each of them only the burden they can bear. May you understand my love—because it is the only thing I have that is really mine, the only thing that I will be able to take with me into the next life. Please allow it to be courageous and pure; please make it capable of surviving the snares of the world."

"Our Lady, give me back my faith. May I also serve as an instrument of your work. Give me the opportunity to learn through my love, because love has never kept anyone away from their dreams."

LOOKING FOR LOVE...
"That well brought many people here, with their hopes and dreams and conflicts. Someone dared to look for water, water was found, and people gathered where it flowed. I think that when we look for love courageously, it reveals itself, and we wind up attracting even more love. If one person really wants us, everyone does. But if we're alone, we become even more alone. Life is strange."
"It says that a city can be moved but not a well. It's around the well that lovers find each other, satisfy their thirst, build their homes, and raise their children. But if one of them decides to leave, the well cannot go with them. Love remains there, abandoned—even though it is filled with the same pure water as before."

MEETING GOD...
"God is here, right now, at our side. We can see Him in this mist, in the ground we're walking on, even in my shoes. His angels keep watch while we sleep and help us in our work. In order to find God, you have only to look around.
"But meeting Him is not easy. The more God asks us to participate in His mysteries, the more disoriented we become, because He asks us constantly to follow our dreams and our hearts. And that's difficult to do when we're used to living in a different way.
"Finally we discover, to our surprise, that God wants us to be happy, because He is the father."
"And the mother," I said.
"Yes, and the mother," he said. "In order to have a spiritual life, you need not enter a seminary, or fast, or abstain, or take a vow of chastity. All you have to do is have faith and accept God. From then on, each of us becomes a part of His path. We become a vehicle for His miracles."

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS...
"...The world is at a point when many people are receiving the same order: 'Follow your dreams, transform your life, take the path that leads to God. Perform your miracles. Cure. Make prophecies. Listen to your guardian angel. Transform yourself. Be a warrior, and be happy as you wage the good fight. Take risks.'"

JUDGING THE LIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE...
We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.

Fw: Listen With Empathy

Forwarded by a friend....




No matter how outrageous, inconsiderate, false, self-centered,or pompous the person you're talking to is, remember: He or she is simply trying to survive, just like you. We're all participating in the same physical and psychological struggle. Some of us just have better survival strategies than others.Thus, the obnoxious person deserves more pity than scorn.



"The wounded deer leaps highest," Emily Dickinson wrote, and it's true.



So listening with empathy means asking yourself, "Where is this person's anger coming from?" "What is he or she asking for?" "What can I do that's reasonable and supportive?" You're not everyone's shrink, and you don't have to carry the weightof the world on your back.But, on the other hand, if you can think through what makes this person behave like this, perhaps you'll be inclined tocut them a little slack. Genuinely listening well is, at its heart, an act of love, and as such, may help heal.



*******

Dr. Tony Alessandra, author of "Dr. T's TimelyTips", is available as a speaker for corporate andtrade association meetings. Teleseminars andwebinars are also available.

Contact HolliCatchpole at SpeakersOffice: 1-800-222-4383 orHolli@SpeakersOffice.com

*******

To Ba-Ding or Not To Ba-Ding

You ask, "is he a man or not?"
Well, here's a little trick: carry something heavy; if the man you're with asks to help you out, say you can manage. If he insists, he's definitely one. He wouldn't be able to resist.
If he doesn't insist, he may be:
(a) gay - best friends or not, gays tend to see women as competition (live and let live)
(b) bad breeding - poor mama ain't too proud
(c) both

That, or you're already married to him.(tsk tsk tsk)

gulong ng palad

san ba galing ang phrase na "gulong ng palad"?
may palad ba na may gulong?
wheel of palm?
sabi ng 'sang kaibigan ko, ang palad daw dun ay destiny sa ingles.
so, wheel of destiny?
sabi naman nung isa, "wheel of destiny... umiikot kasi ang destiny..."

ah. kaya pala nahihilo ako.

trapik layt

Isang araw, nagmamadali kaming patawid ni J-- papuntang tampines mrt, 3 seconds to go na kasi. Dahil sa daming taong papatawid, medyo nahuli si J-- sa kin. Halfway through, tumingin ako sa likod to check kung kasunod ko pa sya. Dun ko napuna kung anong tinitignan nya. Katabi pla nya ang isang ibon. Napansin din ni J-- na napatingin ako saka sya natawa. "Bakit?" sabi ko. Dun nya tinuro yung ibon sa tabi nya na akmang naglalakad din kasabay nya. Actually, patalon na syang naglalakad dahil nagmamadali ring tulad namin!


Tanging comment ni J--,"3 seconds na lang kasi".



sabi ko, "Eh ba't ndi na lang sya lumipad?"



J--, "Walk lang yung sign.. walang fly." sabay turo sa stoplight.



ha.ha.ha.

idolo

Yey! may blog na ang isa sa mga paborito kong writer/kolumnista, si Jessica Zafra (jessicazafra.blogspot.com). Kakapakinig ko lang ng podcast nya kahapon habang nag-uubos ng oras sa opisina (katatapos ko lang sa dati kong proyekto kaya as usual, bum na naman ako sa opis). tanda ko pa nun, sya ang pinakikinggan ko tuwing linggo sa KLite habang naglalaba. :) Inabangan ko nun ang guesting nina zenaida seva, dino ignacio at ng iba pa nyang mga kaibigan. Inabangan ko rin ang mga diskusyon tungkol sa Voltes V, kay Sting at kay Darna.Nabasa ko rin ang Twisted columns nya sa Today. Nasobrahan na nga ata ako nun dahil pati yung compilation books, pinatulan ko na.


Sa kanya ko unang narinig ang isang teorya sa pagsakop ng mga pinoy sa mundo. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng pagdeploy ng mga DH sa iba't ibang panig sa mundo. Tagasilbi sa iba't ibang makapangyarihang tao. Darating ang panahon na magiging sobrang palaasa ang mga tao sa kanilang DH na kapag nagsagawa ng sabay sabay na strike ang mga DH na ito, mapaparalisa ang lahat. Hanep sa teorya ano, parang Da Vinci Code, sobrang convincing, you'll be hooked.

Madalas ko syang makita nun sa Megamall, minsan kasama ang kapatid nya, minsan yung kaibigan naman nyang nakasalamin at may dating shop sa basement (malapit sa skating rink). Kaso ndi ko magawang lumapit dahil madalas na syang nagwawarning sa listeners nya na ndi sya friendly.

Pero hindi na rin kasi importante yun, gustong-gusto ko lang talaga mabasa ang mga sinusulat nya. Madalas kong nagugustuhan yung pagbasa sa kanyang mga opinyon sa mga recent events sa pilipinas. Ndi kelangan malaki na news, basta may human interest, like MMFF scam, mga concerts, movies at latest sa music industry. Kahit kung minsan ay ndi ako pumapanig sa kanyang mga opinyon, madali pa rin para sa kin ang pakinggan sya o basahin ang kanyang kolum dahil sa galing nyang magsulat o maglawig ng kanyang gustong iparating.

Naalala ko tuloy yung isang article na nabasa ko tungkol sa pagsulat ni John Lennon sa kantang "A Day in the Life". Sabi nya, nagbabasa lang daw sya nun ng dyaryo isang araw ng mapuna nya ang dalawang news story: yung una tungkol sa isang mayaman na nagpakamatay sa kotse at yung isa tungkol sa 4000 butas sa kalsada ng Blackburn, Lancashire. O di ba, mundane na news tapos biglang may nabuo na isang kantang naging paborito na ng masa. galing!
  Balik tayo kay J. Zafra, ngayong nagsimula na syang magblog, tuwang tuwa ako na para bang fan ni Nora at Vilma, hehehe. Me mga bago na naman akong matutunan.

Be Still

I'm worried again, so sternly, about a decision.I believe in my heart I will be given this new opportunity. I know God is with me, He didn't waste time to let me know so. Still, I'm worried.




Then I found this verse:Mark 4: 38-40

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"



Whatever happens, it calms me to think that all these changes are part of His plan... Teaching me to trust His Will.

One Day I Decided To Quit

It seems i'm in another crossroad again. Since late last year, it has been a rocky journey. So many changes have come into my life that resulted to me being reclusive. All I can do is hang on to every word He gives me.

This morning I had the same feeling of trying to gain control over everything again, then questioning myself if I'm not doing/planning enough to achieve my goals. But quickly, the Spirit has reminded me to trust His Will.

As the day continues, I know that everything is happening to fulfill His purpose. I'm not assuming, I really know. I can feel it in my bones. :) He speaks through my heart. To pacify me, chronic worrier as I am, God continues to shower me with His Word. Just like the one I received today from a friend (see below)...

My Lord, many thanks for showing me the way. For all the graces you've been showing me.


================================================================

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my
Spirituality... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to
have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good
reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care
of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew
from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing
came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the
second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again,
nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo."
He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I
would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo
seed. I would not quit." He said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But
just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had
spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and
gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my
creations a challenge it could not handle." He said to me.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling,
you have actually been growing roots?"

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a
different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can
help you see that God will never give up on you.

================================================================

Walking in life with God

I have just finished reading today's devotional in streams in the desert. It's about picturing God as a living God. It dawned on me how real Jesus is. How God never fails me.
The devotional quotes George Muller in saying, "In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never failed me; but because I was enabled by His grace to trust Him He has always appeared for my help. I delight in speaking well of His Name.".

The first part moved me. It spoke of my reality. The second part, he talking about God's grace, made me realize that Jesus is doing the same thing to me. That I wish to have the same delight in speaking about Him is what He wants me to do along with trusting in His Will (i'm a control freak, btw).

The devotional also quotes C.G. Trumbull, "Christ was the home of his thoughts. Whenever his mind was free from other matters it would turn to Christ; and he would talk aloud to Christ when he was alone-- on the street, anywhere-as easily and naturally as to a human friend."

I love Him. And that's how this devotional touched me. As C. mentioned, I recognized the same feeling of peace whenever my thoughts turn to Christ. To always say "I love you" as my simple prayer calms me. It's like walking along with a loved one, enjoying each company, looking up to him and then saying a simple phrase like "I love you".

Before I would look for all possible words to move myself to prayer, just as what we do when people call us out to lead one for the whole group. I realized then that during these silent times, it was just me and God. No other people. Just us. And because of that, words don't matter, nothing else does.

"So real to him was Jesus' actual presence."