On Little Blessings

When I woke up this morning and heard the rain tapping on our roof, I groaned. Don't get me wrong, I like the rain because it cools down our otherwise scorching hot city, but I don't like it on the days I have to commute.

Anyway, I got up, ate breakfast, surfed some and prepared myself for the day ahead. When I was about to leave the house, the rain had already stopped. Hallelujah. On my way to the place where Jeepneys passed (they don't have stands/stops here, they just stop in the middle of everywhere) I prayed the rosary. The walk from my house to that place took around 15 minutes and I was amazed that I was able to finish the whole five decades.

Eventually, I spotted the right jeepney and quickly flagged it. I rode the jeepney paid the fare and sat quietly on my spot. (I didn't want to attract much attention to myself lest I be a target for hold-up or something, I'm paranoid like that. Hahaha) Anyway, a few minutes into the ride, it started to drizzle again. I groaned (again). I didn't want to use my umbrella, even if I brought it, because keeping it after usage would be messy (read: wet folded umbrella inside my cloth bag). Finally, the jeepney reached my destination, I shouted a quick para to the driver and got off the vehicle. Lo and behold, the rain had stopped, again.

I just wanted to share this because we sometimes tend to ignore God's little blessings for us. I didn't even remember to blog about this until a few moments ago. I think I need to focus more on the little things, small reminders from God that He remembers me. We often focus on the big things that we want to get. We forget to see the little things God grants us to make our life a little less difficult. Heck, I didn't even pray for the rain to stop, I just thought life would be less messy if it did. (Don't get me wrong again, praying is IMPORTANT.) Still, God answered my unsaid prayer. And just like a doting Dad (who knows what His daughter really wants) towards His beloved daughter, He lets me have my way too. Sometimes. :)

On tests.

On our way home from Tagaytay, my girl best friend and I were discussing the things that happened to us this year. So many obstacles have popped up into our lives (separately) that we have always wanted 2008 to end. Anyway, while we were discussing it, I pointed out that the problems that we were experiencing were just a test from God. She, on the other hand, contradicted me and said:

I don't want to think of God as a God who gives tests. What happens when you don't pass the test? Rather, I'd like to think of Him as a loving God. He gives us these problems no to test us, but rather to teach us a lesson.

I like the way she put it that God doesn't test people. Oo nga naman, what will happen to us if we don't pass the test? Do we get red marks and fail?I like it better that He only gives us these challenges to make us learn valuable lessons in life. As she said, the bigger the problem gets, the bigger the lesson that God wants to teach us. And yes, our God is a loving God who has always wanted us His children to return to His flock.

Merry Christmas!