"For I will refresh the weary soul; every soul that languishes I will replenish." (Jer 31:25)
Before my renewal, my life had been plain, empty and without depth. Though I am blessed with a loving family, something seemed to be missing in our relationship. Sunday Mass is the highlight of our weekends, however, during those endless Masses, I find the scripture readings as well as the homily difficult to grasp. Oftentimes, I become restless and inattentive to the word of God.
Before my renewal, my life had been plain, empty and without depth. Though I am blessed with a loving family, something seemed to be missing in our relationship. Sunday Mass is the highlight of our weekends, however, during those endless Masses, I find the scripture readings as well as the homily difficult to grasp. Oftentimes, I become restless and inattentive to the word of God.
From that time on, I learned to trust in the Lord's promise. My burden became lighter and my life more meaningful - overflowing with love, peace and joy. His words guided me in all that I do and I was empowered to spread the good news to those who have not heard. "Just so your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." (Mt 5:16) My daily bible reflections made me love God and cherish my life more. I came to a realization that the beauty of life is walking hand and hand with the Lord I worship and prayer.
Indeed the Lord is true to His word! After numerous Friday worships, teachings, and ministry work, I affirm that I am called to a life of service. To follow Him is a struggle and sacrifice. After a year and five months of active participation in God's vineyard, conflicts began to make it difficult for me to attend community activities. The job that the Lord generously gave me became the cause of my frequent absences from Friday worship and active participation in my ministry's endeavors. My class shepherds, classmates, and some members of the community who are used to seeing me every Friday were disappointed by my frequent absences. Those judgments bothered me initially, until I came to realize that the same people whom I thought were insensitive and selfish became the instruments that Lord used to develop my patience and endurance.
His Words continue to encourage and exhort me. Like rivers in the desert, He quenches my thirst. I persisted in knowing Him more through prayers and bible reading. He wants me to establish a good attitude towards my job, be comfortable with my responsibilities, and to evangelize in my workplace. Through the grace of God, and His gift of faith, I will obey His will and never lose hope that in His time, He will show me the way out of the conflicts nd inner struggles in my life.
With my persistent petition, as well as the community's fervent prayers, I was transferred to another department, and was grated Fridays and Saturdays off. "A miracle just happened," I said to myself. Praise the Lord for His glory endues forever! The Lord is steadfast and faithful in His promises. He never wavers in His word. All He asks of me is to have confident assurance concerning what I hope for. With all this bountiful blessings and precious miracle from the Most High, He graciously rewards even my most feeble attempts to persevere in my faith. "I know your deeds, your labors, and your patient endurance. You are patient and endure hardships for my cause. Moreover, you do not become discouraged." (Rev 2:2-3)