Blessings

The message during worship service yesterday was all about “Blessings”. Our speaker talked about us receiving blessings everyday and we should learn to see that blessings come in so many forms. Most of the things that bother us are actually blessings. When we wake up on a Monday morning and feel lazy getting up for work, that is a blessing because it means we have a job. Most people do not have one. When we complain that we have a lot of dishes to wash, that is a blessing because it means we have food that caused our dishes to be dirty. When we have noisy children in the house and we could not rest, that is a blessing because one day, those noises will fade because all children grow up and will eventually have their own lives to live. When our parents discipline us, that is a blessing because that means they love us. Orphans wish they have parents to love them. Everyday is a blessing. We just have to open our eyes and see that inspite of all the chaos, God is always with us.

I want to share the lyrics of a beautiful song sung by Laura Story. The song speaks about blessings in disguise. Hope you’ll have the time to listen to this beautiful song. Have a great week aheadJ

"Blessings"

Lyrics to a song by Laura Story

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Company Uniform

Uniform is one way of indentifying what company, school or organization you belong to. It is one way of showcasing a company’s professionalism. It identifies us from other organizations. Wearing a proper uniform helps in creating a positive impression from customers. It also promotes discipline for the employees because uniforms have standards that one should follow. Standards like pairing the uniform with appropriate shoes, making sure the uniform is clean and tidy. Wearing of uniform also  takes away the pressure of having to choose what to wear everyday.

In our company, I am grateful that we are provided with uniforms. Our human resource always reminds us that we are being judged by our appearance when we deal with customers. They make sure that our uniforms are presentable and that we are wearing shoes with heels. I have no problem with that. I actually agree that we should wear our uniforms presentably.

However, I just have some thoughts on the kind of uniforms we are wearing. First, our company only requires and provides uniforms for women. Our company is an agricultural company so most of our employees are farm based. What I don’t understand is that they are so strict with the ladies but our men can wear whatever they want. In my three year stay with the company, not once did I see a memo describing how the men should wear their office clothes.  Most of them wear round necked T-Shirts and rubber shoes. I just can’t get the point why they are so strict especially on women’s shoes. Should not the uniforms also be appropriate with the company’s environment? For those in the farm areas, I pity that they have to wear heels and the men could wear rubber shoes and t-shirts.

Couldn’t we just wear shirt jacket uniforms? And just wear formal flats for comfort? I’m sure more will want that.

What is Important

It’s story time. This was sent to me by a friend. I hope you like it. May you always prioritize what is truly important in life.

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the remaining open areas of the jar.

He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. 

The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, or fix the disposal.”

“Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

Author Unknown

The Voice

I love watching singing shows like American Idol, X-Factor, The Next, The Sing Off and The Voice. So far, the one that I like the most is the blind auditions of The Voice. The four coaches’ chairs are facing the audience so they cannot see the one singing on stage. They would base their judgement purely on the person’s voice. We really cannot deny that looks have a big influence on the judging. People are looking for the whole package. Talents plus looks plus personality equals a possible Star.

I especially love when the voice does not match the looks and I would see the surprise in the coaches’ faces. Also, I noticed that the contestants really know how to sing unlike X Factor and American Idol where there are contestants who just join for fun.

I am glad that The Voice has also branched out in the Philippines. My husband and I look forward watching it every weekend. We try to guess who will be the first winner of The Voice Philippines.  

Reputation or Character

Reputation is what we are when someone is looking. Character is what we are when no one is looking.  I heard someone say this a long time ago. It was during one of our devotionals and it actually stayed with me.

Our reputation is what others think of us. When we do something seeking for men’s approval, we are only thinking of our reputation. Character chooses to do what is right whether it is popular or not.

Yes, we can choose to work for our reputation. We can put a mask and pretend about so many things. We can make people believe what we want them to believe. Reputation can be built in an instant. Character on the other hand is what we truly are. Our character is built in our lifetime. Reputation can be taken away from us but they cannot take away our character. Reputation is what we have when we first meet people. When we unmask what we truly are then our character is seen. As what they say, reputation is what is written in our obituary but our character is what the angels are saying about us before our great Creator.

What is more important to us? Our reputation or our character? Choose wiselyJ

Words that might help

I just want to share an article that I received from a friend. Whatever we are going through, just believe that God is bigger than anything else. Waking up in the middle of the night because of some events in our lives is not good. Once again, I have been reminded that worrying gets us nowhere. So I hope this article can somehow help uplift whatever mood we are in.

Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble,

but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.

Do you know why a Car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the Rearview Mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our

FUTURE. Look Ahead and Move on.

Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it

takes years to write.

All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they

will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last

long either.

Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a

Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you

always need a Base of Gold!

Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from

above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!

When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities;

when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

A blind person asked Swami Vivekanand: "Can there be anything

worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them,

and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone

has prayed for you.

WORRYING does not take away tomorrows' TROUBLES, it takes away

todays' PEACE.

Change

Life is slowly changing. Everything that is happening has a purpose. I am once again reminded that God is taking care of me. There are times that I still take HIM for granted. In the midst of this chaotic world, I forget to give thanks and just talk with my Lord. HE never fails to give me a jolt once in a while to remind me that HE comes first in everything. My life is not my own but HIS. And I am grateful. Living life on my own is just draining. Thinking of what others might think is so tiring. God has given me so many beautiful things and has surrounded me with blessed people. Today, I will give thanks for what I have which money could never buy.

happy

I have never been happier. It feels so good to just let go and allow things to happen. The good or the bad. God truly knows what's best. I have stopped making long term plans and just do the best that I can today and obey God's commands. I am excited for tomorrow. I do not know what will happen next but I am grateful that I have no idea of what is to come. Life has just become more exciting and I am looking forward for more. Thank you Lord:)

alone

We all go through life alone. We die alone. Yes, we have family and friends around us. But at the end of the day, we are all alone. We all experience loneliness and uncertainties. It has given me great comfort that God is always with us. Nowadays, I have literally been abiding with God. Whenever I feel alone, I have found myself talking to God. I imagine that God is literally walking with me. It gives me a sense of security and peace. The mind truly can do wonders. God provided us with intellect for us to be able to cope up with life. I believe that God wants us to continually call on him. HE wants to be a part of every aspect of our lives. And I like that. I am at peace knowing that God is in control and HE knows best.

clutter free

I have just finished cleaning my room and disposing unnecessary items in my drawers. It feels good being free of all those clutter. Well, not all because I have only finished one portion of my drawer. I have more de-cluttering to do. I suggest that if you want to relieve yourself from stress, cleaning is a very good idea. Aside from accomplishing something, you will feel better after. It's like every unnecessary item that you throw away, you are also throwing away negative feelings. Try it sometime. It really works.

Weakness

Each of us have our own struggles in life. Temptations are different for all. For some, their temptation could be gossiping, drinking, smoking, cursing, promiscuity, etc. All of us have our weakness that seem uncontrollable. Some of our weaknesses can be external or internal. In my case, it has been internal. I am struggling to change my thoughts to a more positive tone. Amidst the trials and failures, God has promised us hope that we can conquer our sins. God's strength can fill our weaknesses. Every day that we wake up is another chance to glorify God with our thoughts and actions. It is important to always say a prayer of strength before doing our activities for the day. Try it and feel the difference prayer can do in our lives.

Everyday

Another day is here. Another chance to heal. It sure takes a while for a broken heart to mend. It's always good to live one day at a time. Everyday, we tell ourselves that things will be better. And every single day, we try to act happy hoping that one day, we already are. It takes a lot of effort to divert replaying the painful things that has happened. In time, it will be easier. Painful things happen for us to grow up. We all have to go through this for us to appreciate life. Life is really ironic sometimes. It also surprises us in so many ways. Life is also unfair at times. Yet, in funny ways, life is also fair. The important thing is that we learn what we can in this life. We only have one lifetime and we have to make the most out of it. Let us focus our minds on all the positives in this world. Have a great day everyone.