The Daughter Who Asked to Receive
I hurriedly left the house this morning to attend to an important meeting near church. I have a sense that this day will be a very tiring day for me. It was my scheduled duty to teach in Sunday School from 11AM and 2PM. As we began teaching the kids, I really felt giddy and excited. We have danced 3 praising songs in a row and have the kids play an egg relay. It was fun and I almost forget that I haven't eaten anything before I left the house.
My co-teacher who celebrated her birthday last Friday, decided to treat us for our lunch and yes! We feasted on Yellow Cab Pizza and Charlie Chan (yum yum yum) It was an answered prayer since I am in the middle of personal budget cuts since I will be going to with ACM in Thailand for a missions trip (this is a different story, I will have to write a separate entry about this :))
After our gastronomic cravings have been satisfied, we proceeded with the second set of kids to be served. Again, I was assigned to host and to dance with these 3 to 6 year olders. I really felt that I've lost the pizza calorie I've munched on earlier. Not that am a good dancer, but because we have to move gracefully (even if I'm off beat hehe) to encourage the kids to dance. To cut the long adventure short, we ended happily, but I was running really low on energy.
I saw my dad waiting for me outside the church, wearing his faded jeans and white t-shirt. I approached him and told him that I was about to attend the service since I did my duty as teacher Lykie that morning. Honestly speaking, I was not comfortable tagging him along that afternoon. I just feel like he was forced to be in church at that time. Just as much as
I was forced to persevere in sharing God's love to him.
The week before Sunday, I was battling with pain, allergies and discouragement. I had one of those toughest week. If I had the option of clicking ctrl+alt+delete, I would've exhausted using it. I can't seem to be walking the talk. Blinded by impatience, pride and pain the stress resulted to skin allergies (hives) that I had for two days (we cannot trace any allergen yet). Good thing it went away after I was sedated in Makati Med Tuesday night and was forced take in antihistamine the day after (I'm not a fan of drinking medicines) not to mention the alternative healing method (TKM) that was administered to me by my loving friends. During those very time, I had no choice but to lash it out to God and explain what I am feeling, as if He didn't know. I was crying every night for Him to deliver me from my situation. You see, I still have some issues with my career path, the group that I am currently heading and me not being a good and compassionate daughter to my dad. It came to a point of surrender that I boldly said to God that I will stop exerting too much effort in winning my dad for Jesus.
The sermon almost ended and as always my dad was seriously "entertained" by Ptr. Robert Hern's message, so I was doubting if he really grasp the preaching. As we are singing the closing song, this very line draw out the helpless little girl in me: You broke the chains, Jesus you broke the chains. Then I uttered an honest quip: "Jesus, I want to see your power, I wanna feel it, surprise me..." Somehow the attitude of expectancy was tied up with helplessness. The pastor then asked us to close our eyes, bow our heads and to raise your hand if you want to receive Jesus. At that point, I don't know what to expect, but I kept the faith. But when I peeped out to see if my dad's hand was raised, I was shocked, the tears crept in ruining my eye make-up. I was subtlely sobbing, because it was an instant answered prayer.
Jesus' power is manifested at that very moment and his amazing grace cause my dad's heart to be filled with humility to raise up his hand. As I hear his almost-whispering voice pray with the pastor, I cannot stop crying to God with tears of joy. I was released. Somehow the thoughts of not forgiving him for his shortcomings in our family faded. The grace to fully forgive and the love that is coming from God alone lead me to see past the hurt and focus on the love that I refuse to give him.
I'm sure the heaven goes partying up there, as I continuously cry in awe down here on earth. My heart is filled with joy as I pray with my dad before he sleeps tonight.
This is one of the best days of my life.
My co-teacher who celebrated her birthday last Friday, decided to treat us for our lunch and yes! We feasted on Yellow Cab Pizza and Charlie Chan (yum yum yum) It was an answered prayer since I am in the middle of personal budget cuts since I will be going to with ACM in Thailand for a missions trip (this is a different story, I will have to write a separate entry about this :))
After our gastronomic cravings have been satisfied, we proceeded with the second set of kids to be served. Again, I was assigned to host and to dance with these 3 to 6 year olders. I really felt that I've lost the pizza calorie I've munched on earlier. Not that am a good dancer, but because we have to move gracefully (even if I'm off beat hehe) to encourage the kids to dance. To cut the long adventure short, we ended happily, but I was running really low on energy.
I saw my dad waiting for me outside the church, wearing his faded jeans and white t-shirt. I approached him and told him that I was about to attend the service since I did my duty as teacher Lykie that morning. Honestly speaking, I was not comfortable tagging him along that afternoon. I just feel like he was forced to be in church at that time. Just as much as
I was forced to persevere in sharing God's love to him.
The week before Sunday, I was battling with pain, allergies and discouragement. I had one of those toughest week. If I had the option of clicking ctrl+alt+delete, I would've exhausted using it. I can't seem to be walking the talk. Blinded by impatience, pride and pain the stress resulted to skin allergies (hives) that I had for two days (we cannot trace any allergen yet). Good thing it went away after I was sedated in Makati Med Tuesday night and was forced take in antihistamine the day after (I'm not a fan of drinking medicines) not to mention the alternative healing method (TKM) that was administered to me by my loving friends. During those very time, I had no choice but to lash it out to God and explain what I am feeling, as if He didn't know. I was crying every night for Him to deliver me from my situation. You see, I still have some issues with my career path, the group that I am currently heading and me not being a good and compassionate daughter to my dad. It came to a point of surrender that I boldly said to God that I will stop exerting too much effort in winning my dad for Jesus.
The sermon almost ended and as always my dad was seriously "entertained" by Ptr. Robert Hern's message, so I was doubting if he really grasp the preaching. As we are singing the closing song, this very line draw out the helpless little girl in me: You broke the chains, Jesus you broke the chains. Then I uttered an honest quip: "Jesus, I want to see your power, I wanna feel it, surprise me..." Somehow the attitude of expectancy was tied up with helplessness. The pastor then asked us to close our eyes, bow our heads and to raise your hand if you want to receive Jesus. At that point, I don't know what to expect, but I kept the faith. But when I peeped out to see if my dad's hand was raised, I was shocked, the tears crept in ruining my eye make-up. I was subtlely sobbing, because it was an instant answered prayer.
Jesus' power is manifested at that very moment and his amazing grace cause my dad's heart to be filled with humility to raise up his hand. As I hear his almost-whispering voice pray with the pastor, I cannot stop crying to God with tears of joy. I was released. Somehow the thoughts of not forgiving him for his shortcomings in our family faded. The grace to fully forgive and the love that is coming from God alone lead me to see past the hurt and focus on the love that I refuse to give him.
I'm sure the heaven goes partying up there, as I continuously cry in awe down here on earth. My heart is filled with joy as I pray with my dad before he sleeps tonight.
This is one of the best days of my life.
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