PLANNING AHEAD

If I were asked what my life-changing book is (aside from the Holy Bible, of course), I would have to say "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. And if there's such a thing as a life-changing email (amongst all the piles and piles of forwarded stuff I'm receiving each day), I think this would be it. Whilst rummaging through my congested archive, I was glad I managed to save this. Somebody dear forwarded this to me during a time when all my plans shattered before my very eyes; crumbling piece by heart-breaking piece. She may have not known it then... but this brought me the epiphany I desperately needed. It forced me redirect my focus on the ONE true thing, the ONE that really matters in life, the ONE whose love for me is constant & never-changing... then, now & til the end of time. My Lord. My Savior. Jesus Christ.

And it lead me to my life-verse then, Genesis 50:20:
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
This spoke to me in immeasurable ways. It taught me forgiveness... to relinquish the anger that was consuming me. Out of it, I got peace. It taught me humility... to accept the fact that I was at the Lord's mercy and not my own. I have done atrocious things in my past and have hurt a handful of people just to get my way. I have no business demanding "why things went south and not according to my plan". With this I got greater understanding. And finally, it taught me complete and utter dependence on God... that I would rather submit my life to God's will and God's plan rather than walk through life... limp, deaf and blind. As a result, I got everything else I needed (walang ng kulang). The Lord made me whole again.

Before I take my leave, I one more thing to say... May YOU live a life full of blessings and abundance, by God's unfailing grace... this I pray in Jesus' mighty name.


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(Author Unknown)


The best gift anyone can give me this new year is a planner.
I like planners because I am a planner.
I like thinking ahead.
I like being prepared.
I get a high from being on top of things.

But some things are beyond planning.
And life doesn't always turn out as planned.

You don't plan for a broken heart.
You don't plan for a failed business venture.
You don't plan for an adulterous husband.
Or a wife who wants you out of her life.
You don't plan for an autistic child.
You don't plan for spinsterhood.
You don't plan for a lump in your breast.

You plan to be young forever. You plan to climb the corporate ladder.
You plan to be rich and powerful.
You plan to be acclaimed and successful.
You plan to conquer the universe.
You plan to fall in love - and be loved forever.

You don't plan to be sad.
You don't plan to be hurt.
You don't plan to be broke.
You don't plan to be betrayed.
You don't plan to be alone in this world

You plan to be happy. You don't plan to be shattered.
Sometimes if you work hard enough, you can get what you want.
But most times, what you want and what you get are two different things.

We, mortals, plan. But so does God in the heavens. Sometimes, it is difficult to understand God's plans especially when His plans are not in consonance with ours. Often, when God sends us crisis, we turn to Him in anger. True, we cannot choose the cross that God wishes us to carry, but we can carry that cross with courage knowing that God will never abandon us nor send something we cannot cope with.

Sometimes, God breaks our spirit to save our soul.
Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.
Sometimes, God sends us pain so we can be stronger.
Sometimes, God sends us failure so we can be humble.
Sometimes God sends us illness so we can take better care of ourselves.
Sometimes, God takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything He gave us.

Make plans but understand that we live by God's grace.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6