DARK AGES

It's only been a day of electricity-less living yet most of us feel we've been plunged back into the dark ages.

Day two after typhoon Glenda. It started with a night of horrific winds lashing at 140 kph—howling, battering and almost unhinging and dismantling anything unstable on its path.  

Ceaseless prayers went heavenwards. Thank You Lord for keeping us safe. 

How sad for those who suffered more harm. Let's pray they recover from this tragedy—and do our part to help with whatever we can give or do—even as we brace for more typhoons, an offshoot of global warming. 

God is true to His promise to keep us safe even in the middle of the storm, because even the winds are subject to Him.

The morning after the storm, felled trees became the source of instant livelihood by some. In our place, a team of four men with their bolos hacked away at trees and their branches off of roofs, driveways and streets. 

Since last night, we'd waited for the current to hum, but to no avail. 

No electricity, no wifi, no computer games. Cell phones gone kaput. No humming or whirring of applicances. 

It's all quiet in the home front:

Longer time to pray, and pray hard.

Gave family members a chance to talk, something which a lot of gizmo-focused dudes have not done for a long while.

Made us realize that we can live on less and not sweat about it. 

Gave us pause on what's important—family, togetherness, safety, rest, quietness.

Dark days still have a way of making our days worthwhile. 

Let's be thankful and count our blessings. 

  

BRAZEN: A LESSON FROM ALDRIC

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The nerve of one of my students! Asking me to mention his name in my next book.

But I loved him for it. 

In my 12 years of teaching, I've not come across any one as brazen. 

I was taken aback initially, then realized that he was dead serious --- but kid-serious, just like a toddler pretty-pretty-please-asking her grandma for ice cream. He asked, and then asked again.

His entreaties were that of an innocent child who knew that if he persisted or maging makulit, he'd get his wish to finally be mentioned in a book. 

Aldric Yriarte. That's his name. So I promised him I'd mention his name in my blog --- first.

Why did I relent? First, it's a very simple wish. Second, his attitude reminded me that childlikeness works. Even if one has reached adulthood, some of this endearing childlike spark should remain. Being mature does not mean being stiff and boring.

Did he manipulate me? Not at all. He seemed as genuine as apple pie. And a lesson budded:

Boldness, coupled with niceness and respectfulness, seems like a perfect brew for easing your way into people's hearts. 

That's the heart too that Jesus wants to see in each of us. Remember that incident when children milled around Jesus so that He could pray for them, then the disciples tried to shoo them away? 

But Jesus said (Matthew 19:14), "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  Then He laid hands on them. 

Childlike faith moves God: 

Matthew 8:13?“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

 

Hebrews 11:6?"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

Persistence likewise pays. Didn't Christ encourage us to pray and pray without ceasing until heaven responds? 

Aldric, I don't know if or when there will be a next book to finally see your name in print. But I just want to thank you for teaching your teacher that childlikeness with persistence isn't a liability but an asset, especially when it comes to faith in God.