“LIFE OF REALIZATIONS & DISCOVERIES IN TIME OF CoViD”

Reality Bites. Actually this present reality stings a bit.

During this time of pandemic, being cooped up in our homes and made to spend a lot of time with the family, we can either take it in a good way or a bad way. Either one, now we have more time in our hands with the family or on our own than any other season in our lives. This present day crisis also takes us to a new world of realizations and discoveries.

Realization is by definition "an act of becoming fully aware of something as a fact", isn't that just how you are feeling now? Meanwhile, discovery or discover is defined as "an action or process of uncovering, unearthing". Someone on the worldwide web put it this way, "Self-discovery is like the blueprint. Self realization is building up to it physically, mentally and emotionally."

Our life has been altered for quite a while now, adjustments to the way we live, who we live with and how we do life with the people we love dearly. During this time of CoViD our social life is taking a new turn. Small discoveries, big realizations but it all boils down to the fact that we are evolving creatures, able to adapt and adjust to what our environment presents us.

Could you be having some of these realizations going on now?

• Life is short and we do not have control over it. The reality of dying anytime, any day from this viral infection is quite too close for comfort. It feels like it is right on our face.

• The threat of this Coronavirus is very real. It is indeed an unseen enemy.

• And that we still do not know much about the virus, nor it's cure.

• Our life can be put to a halt, just like that caused by the tiniest, invisible virus to our human eyes.

• Everything we own, we have, we treasure is left for nothing in a snap. Earthly treasures surely does not count when the virus takes away your life.

• We have lots of time to spend with the family, whether we take this lightly or seriously, it is a truth!

• Some people are becoming more lazy over being productive.

• This life can be lonely for some, it can have a slow, progressing decline for some.

• We are getting better with Time Management.

• On the other hand for some, working from home has enslaved them to their work because they can now work non-stop from home (the downside of this)

On the same note, I have discovered a few things as well....

• We have this new addition to the virus family called Coronavirus causing a deadly viral infection called CoViD-19 and it could be here for a while.

• To think that, it is an easily preventable disease and yet as easy to spread if we keep our guards down.

• Social/Physical Distancing does work and has it's values.

• Hidden talent like music, DIY, baking/cooking, teaching, gardening, sewing, dancing (TikTok), etc. emerge out of nowhere from each of the family members.

• Your creativity was forced to come out and be practiced. And so is your patience (if you are the adult in the house).

• Families are discovering something new about their parents, siblings or spouse that they didn't know before all these stay at home rules.

• Communicating with family members away from each other is made possible by all sorts of technology we have on the tip of our fingertips. We just need to make the effort to contact one another and keep in touch.

• There are a lot more board games available than we ever thought (and more being invented on the internet!)

• That a lot of work can be done and continued at home while this pandemic is around and we can still be productive.

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"Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness. My GOD, that is who You are! ....Even when I can't see that You're working. Even when I don't feel that You're working. You never stop. You never stop working." [- Way Maker by Michael W. Smith, performed with the Brentwood Baptist Choir and Worship Team Easter 2020]

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My own realizations have brought me closer with my Creator. I have discovered a new name in serving (not that I didn't know about it before the pandemic) others called ... HOSPITALITY. As a healthcare worker during this pandemic, it meant more than just being there to work, but being there to serve; to bear the pain and suffering with them; to be their family when nobody can stay with them; to be the hands that hold them right to their very last breath; to be the bearer of good news and sometimes bad news to family members; and to be the brave ones in the front line to help fight this disease that has plagued us.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

This CoViD-19 has forced us all to pause, stop, be still, take a break, relax and spend time with the Lord, with the family and with yourself. REST apparently has to come in the form of a viral infection before we can fully comprehend GOD's message. Starting this new book by John Mark Comer called "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry", he unraveled where "Hurry" originated from. He even shared a story that his father would usually tell them about how here in America (particularly in the Bay Area) in the 70's, everyone takes a rest on a Sunday. Only churches were open, all other establishments are closed for business (of course with exemptions of hospitals and emergency services). The family spends time together to worship, then Sunday lunch and some time to just relax and spend with the family. Where has time gone? How did we even get into this situation? Apparently it was a slow, creeping, unnoticeable thing called "development" from the invention of the sundial to Steve Jobs.

Now on our ninth week of 'Shelter-in-place' we're getting antsy or even panicky because our rights are thwarted by the government mandate! Really? I really do not want to sound political but please what we decide to do today has impact to everybody today and tomorrow and the future. Just saying!

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

With all these things happening, it only made my faith stronger and my belief more real that indeed we have a Sovereign GOD who is 'all powerful' and have control over us, over our affairs, over our world, over everything. Have you ever thought that there is an end to this? that there is light at the end of the tunnel?

If there is one thing I have gleaned from all the Bible studies I have attended lately, it is that our Sovereign God is "all-knowing"; that He has knowledge of the yesterday, today and even tomorrow. He has control and knows what will be at the end of all these suffering and struggles and the good news is...all this is for HIS GLORY! Can you even comprehend that? The truth is: you do not have to, you just have to believe in our One True and Sovereign GOD to pull us through to the end of this. We all need an unwavering faith in the midst of all these changes, realizations and discoveries.

Just above is a music video of the song "Waymaker" sang by Michael W Smith and the Brentwood Baptist Church Choir during Easter 2020 Online Service. It is like an anthem for me as I go navigate this season of my life. A worship song that rehearses GOD's character for us, it also assures us of His promises for us.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31

How about you, what realizations have come around during this season of your life? What discoveries about yourself, your partner, your family members, your children have you observed, felt, lived? All these discoveries and realization can be used to an advantage. These can help us grow better, value people more than things, and learn to make good use of time. Time that seems like we are always short of a 24-hour day.

In all these realizations and discoveries may it include a life changed by Jesus life, death and resurrection, an ever fervent faith, unwavering belief in our Sovereign God and a life lived in glory of GOD even through this hardest time.

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#LifeinTimeofCoViD #RealizationsAndDiscoveries

“A LIFE OF FAITH IN TIME OF CoViD”

Are we exempted from testing and trials, from suffering and despair, from disappointments and losses, from sickness and poor health, from fear and worries because of our steadfast faith and our firm belief in the One True God?

Apparently, it is the total opposite. Like everyone else, Christians or Jesus followers, as some prefer to be called, are not immune to any of these hardships. The only difference and the one that stands us out from non-believers, is that through it all...

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you maybe perfect and complete, lacking nothing." - James 1:2-4

Going through this pandemic is no exemption. Christians, believers and Jesus' followers are part of the shelter-in-place rules therefore, we are stopped from working; our kids stay home and are home schooled; we queue for grocery and food shopping; we stock up on food and bathroom tissues too. We are part of the workforce that are both essential and non-essential; we get exposed and get infected with CoViD-19; we suffer deaths in the family brought about by this pandemic; and rightfully said so, we get weary too. We are as vulnerable as anybody else. We sometimes lose hope, some of us question God, still a few, struggle to make ends meet, and a few more have stopped giving to the church because there is no income for the family.

Even the life of the faithful is altered by this pandemic. We celebrated Easter/Resurrection Sunday in the comfort of our sofas watching the worship service from our screens. Worship gatherings are live streaming; Bible Studies meet up on Zoom; and even to the point of dropping off our offering and tithes through the church's drive-thru services or give online. A lot of things are changing and we are slowly adapting in different ways to connect, to be blessed by God's word and the company of others. Is this pandemic really pushing us to our limits or is it pushing us to be more creative, resourceful, more faithful and more trusting?

Our church pastor on the first week of live streaming our Sunday worship kept reminding us that "we should not get used to this", that we should continue to long to have fellowship with one another and when that day comes when CoViD is done, that we would all come and worship together again in the sanctuary. Annie F. Downs seems to agree when she posted once that we can get settled but not used to this situation we are in now.

Let me ask you, what gets you through the day and still be hopeful and remain faithful? Our Father, the God Almighty, who dearly loves us is watching over us all the time. He is our Sovereign God who has control over everything. Do you actually believe this? Do you have faith in God even just a size of a mustard seed? Do you still hang on to your belief? 

How do we, as Christians keep our souls fed and our eyes fixed on Jesus as we go through all these trials and testing?

"We are all going through this the same time, but not the same thing." - Steven Furtick

Three things we are encouraged to do to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus: (As per Golden Hills Podcast Daily #36: "Christ As Our Foundation" by Stephen Foster)

1. READ YOUR BIBLE. There is no other book most recommended and best to read during such time as these. In order to keep our focus on our Savior and continue to know His plans for us and teach us how to live according to His will, we need to be fed by His words regularly. Now we can be best encouraged by God's words and continue to develop our relationship with our Creator.

2. PRAY before God and express your real feelings and emotions during this time. Ask Him for guidance and help when in need; strength to keep us going and finish this off. When things seem unbearable, cry out to GOD for He is listening.

3. REACH OUT to others who has a greater need than we are. Being hospitable doesn't have to stop because we are quarantined. There are a lot of other things we can do for others. Check or call your neighbors just to check how they are doing. Give an elderly from the church a call, it might make them smile.

Today was extra special for our Little Man. He truly felt the love and importance when the mailbox was filled up by letters addressed all to him. Sunday School teachers and our Children's Pastor all took time to cheer him up with word of encouragement during this time of CoViD. I thank you all at GHCC Kids Ministry, you made him smile and at the same time teary-eyed.

Our faith can be put to this tremendous test called- unemployment, running out of funds, stressed out by too many kids all at home at the same time, distance-learning of our kids; being gravely sick, isolated and lonely, overworked, faced by great risks, etc BUT one thing remains the same.... our GOD! Our GOD is still there, ever present. Our GOD is still our Loving Father who extends his grace to us. Our GOD is still there, our Great Provider.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” -John 14:27

CLICK Here to Listen

During this pandemic, our church have come out with a Podcast series called “Golden Hills Podcast Daily”. It is a short daily encouragement from God's Word for our current situation. One of my favorites so far is the podcast by the church’s Clinical Counseling Director, Denise Olson. It is entitled "Troubled Hearts" based on the text John 13-14. If you have 10-15 minutes to spare each day, I would love you to give it a try and listen daily, it might just be what you are longing to hear.

Now, more than anytime, is the time to be steadfast with our faith. We can spend the time we have on our hands to be nearer to God through prayers, know Him more through reading and studying the Bible, or just simply be in God's presence. Let us live the life of the faithful and be an encouragement to others.

#LifeinTimeofCoViD #LifeofFaith #GoldenHillsPodcastDaily

"LIFE OF GRIEVING IN TIME OF CoViD"

Even grieving over our sick friends or families that passed away nowadays is totally different. The sick has to stay isolated; the funerals are watched streaming live; grieving has taken a new shape in this time of CoViD.

Today at my son's online class, they were asked to write down three words that describe how they feel about being in quarantine. My Little Man wrote these very descriptive words down - sad, lonely, boring. He does have playtime and weekends are free for him to do what he pleases. He gets to play online with his school friends or cousins. He can call friends he has on his phone. On nice weather days he plays basketball outside. Some days we walk together or play basketball and board games. He is an only child which does not help with this situation. Towards the end of their online class teacher asked them to show off their pet or a sibling that is in the house with them. I heard my son sadly say "I do not have neither a pet nor a sister/brother..." My heart felt that pang, that pain, that worry.... how this crisis is affecting our little children and maybe even us adults.

This past weekend one bad news after another came through my message inbox. People I know to some degree, friends of the family, people in the ministry, a few of my close friends, people I worked with and even bare acquaintances that are struck by CoViD are either in their home trying to isolate themselves or in a hospital bed working hard to recover and still others have succumbed to this deadly virus. Sadness. Grieving. Pain. All these feelings are just so raw for me at the moment.

Like King David, I have cried and utter a very personal prayer in the past few days. I come to the Lord pleading for healing for dearest friends (Ruby, Rhea and Ate Wi); I pray for comfort for families that lost a member due to CoViD (Jonathan Agot); to ministry people who are now critically ill because they chose to do their essential work as to help out in this time (Ogie Geronimo, a IEMELIF member). As I walk through our Online Bible Study aptly titled "Dangerous Prayers", the book of Psalm is continually revealing more and more about it. David's prayers are a good example of this dangerous prayers. Dangerous, not because they were daring and uttered with such eloquent words. NO! Dangerous because David spoke of his real feelings to the Lord, expressed his real, raw feelings. Yes, even his fears. As he is known to us being "the man after own God's heart" I look up to how he glorifies GOD and recall His mighty characters, how he praises Him for and even through a difficult time like defeat, scarcity, sin committed by him and the people directly against the Lord or just to seek GOD's face for a big decision to make, he never fails to go to Him in prayers...

These unprecedented times can push us to our limits to use whatever sanity we have kept hidden for the rainy days to be brought out to fight this mental and emotional warfare against an unseen enemy. I am not going to say neither "cheer up, don't worry" because I get rattled by this situation too; nor "do not be afraid" because I feel it too. These are just normal feelings as our "normal" is altered and our "being" is threatened. It is okay to feel all these different emotions but do not let them linger for long that it overtakes your daily life. Find ways to fight this battle.

A dear friend of mine, more like a sister, is in a hospital bed as I write these words fighting to breathe and not to be succumbed by this disease. She is a mother of two, a hard-working nurse, a dear friend, a very thorough mother and loving wife. Her dedication to work is the reason why she got exposed and infected by the virus. She is not critically ill but closely observed for she's been having difficulty breathing. Another colleague from a previous job is not doing so well and is in critical care, literally fighting for her life. 

The stories of people affected by CoViD is everywhere. My cousin is a single mom of three beautiful girls and a full time nurse at a hospital in London. She was assigned to care for CoViD patients and after her second long day of exposure she became sick herself. Twenty days on of self-isolation in their own home, she is now just about starting to get better. Those twenty days were the worst and most agonizing days of her life so far. Isolated in a bedroom she would hear her girls knock on the door crying, most probably frightened of the state of their mom's health; longing to hug mom and care for her; wishing they can play together while mom's at home and not working. She probably got through the loneliness and emotional rollercoaster she was in by her determination to be well again to care for her girls (because there is nobody else to depend on).  She kept her sanity by keeping in touch with the netizens through social media. She would post about her day to day state of health and feelings. In a way, I find it a good way to find people to support you from afar and pray for your health and situation. She found moral support from friends and families through comforting words that keep her company and take her mind away from her suffering. Today she has posted a lot of positive developments, still not fully well but able to come out of her room after 21 days and with social distancing, manage to supervise the kids with cooking, playing and other house chores. God Bless you Rhea and the girls!

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PSALM 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3  though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

5  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

6  The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7  The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8  Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9  He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

10  “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

11  The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

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My husband's family in the Philippines even suffered and endured the consequences of having a loved one passing away in the midst of this global pandemic. Their family matriarch (his grandmother) was in the hospital under critical care when CoViD came to invade Manila. Unfortunately, the hospital she was in was forced to close and transfer all patients due to the spread of the virus, this meant that no other hospital wanted to accept her transfer due to fear of spreading the virus to their facility. So the family, against all odds, decided to take her home and after a full week she gave up the ghost. She passed away surrounded by most of the family. This happened in the Philippines where "stay at home" rules were a lot more stricter to the point that they have to get a special permission to allow the whole family (quite a number) to be present during the funeral. Meanwhile, all other family members who live outside the country were just following and watching over the live video stream all throughout that somber day including us here in the US. 

To be honest, I think we were blessed that my husband's grandmother didn't get the virus and that they were able to give her a decent funeral. I have seen a lot of news from here and all over the world wherein the local government handles either the cremation or burial of the bodies of those infected by the disease and relatives never even get to see or claim their dead families. We have heard a lot of stories of people passing the we cannot even go to or share the mourning family's grief.  We long to have personal contact with the bereaved.  We want to extend our helping hand and service to those who are sick...but we can't, not for now.  We can only grieve in silence and mourn in private. It is eerily inconvenient to be mourning for your loved one this way, but circumstance have found us doing a lot of things outside the box lately and sometimes it feels like it is a bit to the extreme.

Our cries are all the same wherever we are at the moment, we crave for some normalcy; we are hoping for an end to this. When will it come? When will we see the light at the end of the tunnel? When we do see it, please do not stop, keep walking towards it and keep doing what we are asked to do because we will only get to that end faster if we are all keeping healthy and safe.

I have said this before and I will remind you all again, when this is all over our normal might not be the same "normal" we were used to be, so let us brace for what is to come with loads of grace and stronger faith. Mourning and grieving are hard, but now it is much harder... more painful....but we will get through this if we keep our eyes on JESUS.

Today, I challenge you to read and pray the words of PSALM 46 (posted above) and be bold with your prayers, be sincere, be real with God.  HE is listening. HE is always there. HE is our ever present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1), even through our mourning and grieving.  

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#LifeinTimeofCoViD #LifeofGrieving #GrievingandMourning #CoViD19