Lifequake

 

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” - Psalm 16:8

 

The strongest and scariest earthquake that I have ever experienced was the one on July 16, 1990. I was at the office, and everyone ran out in panic. The girls in our staff cried in fright and even our burly workers had horror etched on their faces. Good thing ours was just a one-story building. But the fear did not stop with the shaking. There was greater dread for those left at home. I rushed to check on our house and my family especially my children who were still small then.

 

Earthquakes are not the only things that shake our world. Dire events in our lives have the same shattering effect. A husband taken away from us too soon. A business failure. Debts piling up. Jobs lost. Relationships broken. A sick parent. Lifequakes.

 

Through all these lifequakes, I clung to Him who cannot be shaken. I must admit there were times when not just my world but also my faith was shaken. But praying and keeping my eyes on the Lord even if I was getting cross-eyed from the dizzying quakes held my world together. He is not just at my right hand, but He goes before me, and He protects my back.  God is my center.

*Keeping the Faith series #1

Word-ability

 

“A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.” - Matthew 9:32-38

 

Today, I would like to thank the Lord for the gift of WORDS. For the ability to speak them and for the facility to write them.

 

Many times, we take this gift for granted. Imagine what it would be like if you become mute. How will you tell people your thoughts? How will you ask for help? How will you go about your daily life without the ability to communicate?

 

And many more times, we forget just how powerful our words are. They can crush dreams or build them. They can break hearts or fill them with joy. OUR WORDS HAVE THE ABILITY TO AFFECT OTHER PEOPLE.

 

So let us reflect on how we use words. Have we expressed love for our family, or have we demeaned them? Have we posted something on social media that spreads hope/knowledge, or have we bashed/spread fake news about someone we don’t even know personally?

 

And to the Marites (me included) and Tolits out there, do we really have to know and spread the latest???!!!

 

Whenever I feel a nasty comment or a gossip itching to escape my tongue, I try to recall the tale of the “Feathers in the Wind”. The story reminds me that once the contents of the feather pillow are scattered to the wind, it will be extremely hard to gather them all back. Such are our words.