Questioning God

 

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” – John 20:29

 

“Why didn’t You heal her when it was in Your power to do so?” This is a heart wrenching question to God from a friend who lost her mother during the pandemic.

 

Do you have questions like that? Do you have questions about your faith? Is it wrong to question God? What do we do when we have doubts? Will God get angry when we doubt?

 

Although Jesus rebuked Thomas for his unbelief, He did not hit him with a lightning bolt in anger. Instead, Jesus appeared to the apostles again that Thomas may see for himself. Jesus accepted Thomas’ humanity to search for answers as He also accepts ours. As the priest said in his homily on the feast of St. Thomas: “Our questions are doors that open to a deeper faith.”

 

When children are small, they ask endless questions. Mine did and it sometimes drove me crazy. It’s a good thing God has all the patience in the world for His children’s questions. He even points us to where we can get answers – the bible, our spiritual leaders, our brothers and sisters in the community, even in His creations. So, ask away. After all, “The ability to ask questions is the greatest resource in learning the truth.” (Carl Jung)

 

On another note, our children accept our answers as Gospel truth even if sometimes they don’t fully comprehend the explanation because they trust us. And this is also the attitude of trust we should take in our questioning. We may not understand what is happening to us. We may not get the answer right away or not even in this lifetime but TRUST in the Lord’s perfect plan.

 

These lines from the song Trust His Heart by Babbie Mason give me assurance when I have questions and doubts: “When you don’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.”

Spirit Over Mind

 

“…the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues…” – Acts 19:6

In my book The Happy Solo Kit (Tools and Supplies You Need to Survive Solo Parenting without Losing Your Marbles), there’s a section I called “Terrible Teens”. Like I said there, teens are more terrible than twos. It is at this stage when children develop their own minds and start thinking they know better than their parents.

It’s very difficult to give them your opinion about how to live their lives because they would always counter with a different take. Always!

But I remember one time when my elder son, then in high school, was heartbroken, and he asked to meet me in front of our church to talk. I wanted to help him but was already half-expecting his usual kontrapelo (going against the grain) reactions. So, on my way to the church, I sent up a quick prayer to the Holy Spirit for wisdom.

Our conversation was going the usual But-Mom-that’s-not-how-it-is way until he asked a difficult question. I didn’t know how to answer, but as I opened my mouth the words just flowed. Surprisingly, he quietly accepted the wisdom I was spouting. I knew then it was the Holy Spirit at work. Those words did not come from me as I felt clueless before I began.

So, Terrible Teens or Terrible Twos or whatever terrible stage our children are in, it always helps to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in our parenting journey.

Praise Through the Pain

 

“Sing joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; raise your voices in songs of praise.” – Psalm 98:4

 

It’s easy to sing joyful praise songs when everything is right in your world, isn’t it? When you enjoy good health – Alleluia! When love reigns in your family and relationships are amiable – Glory to God! When abundant blessings flow like ticking a dream destination off your bucket list – Hosanna!

 

But when things go wrong, can you still praise God?

In 2012, I had the privilege of interviewing Connie Velasco, one of our Feast Alabang attendees, for Kerygma Magazine. Three years before she was diagnosed with breast cancer, her husband had died of lung cancer. She had undergone 12 surgeries, 32 radiation sessions and about 30 or so chemotherapy sessions. In a span of 7 years, she almost died 7 times and had been hospitalized more times than she can count. To her, it felt like a thousand already. Her doctors had turned her down for treatment as there was nothing more they could do. She also went through a time when even her finances were drained.

 

But every Sunday at The Feast, we’d see her in her wheelchair front and center praising God. Even if she’s in constant pain, she still strove to look her glamorous best. She even goes to her chemo sessions all made up complete with a fashionable hat, becoming an inspiration to the other cancer patients. And despite her condition, she still served in whatever way she could. For instance, she designed the magnificent stage for the Kerygma Conference 2011 Faith Stream. She praised God with song and service.

 

A lot has been said and written on why we should praise God during difficult times. Personally, praising God through my pain helps me to forget about me. I’m reminded how big my God is, bigger than my troubles. And I remember those other times I was broken, and His Amazing Grace mended me. Praising God is not about what we do for Him but about how it transforms us.