May 02, 2012

ROADBLOCKS

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When we encounter roadblocks on the road we are taking, we are forced to decide what to do next.

Roads could be closed for repairs or because of flooding.  Sometimes, due to a vehicular accident, we are required to stop until the road is cleared and all police matters are taken cared of.  We are stalled and we become impatient.  We could get angry depending on where we are heading and what was the purpose of the trip.

If you are on your way to respond to some emergencies and you are anxious to be there right on time, encountering a roadblock is not welcome.  You feel distressed every minute that goes by because you do not want to loose time.

There are times that we need to make a turnabout and take the road back to find another exit that would lead to our destination.  Or perhaps, if the obstruction is a temporary one, where we need to wait a short while,  still their is a need to wait.

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Whatever obstacle is blocking our way, and causes a delay, it is always a situation we do not like.  It easily sends us over to boiling point and sometimes we yell in frustration or bang at something to spew our anger out.

So it is with our Christian walk.  Our roadblock could be a prayer over something pressing that has not taken a YES for an answer.  We need it badly.  Or we want an immediate solution.  We look out and there is no sign of positive answer.  Often we get frustrated and we shout out to God, "why did you not meet my request with a positive answer, Lord?  Lord, didn't you promise that all I have to do is ask?"  But still, the answer takes a long time coming.  Or maybe the answer was a plain NO or a WAIT one that would take longer than we are willing to do.

Lately I was asking God for provisions over something that is quite pressing in the sense that my youngest  son needs it for a course in drafting.  We needed a higher end Computer which is costly.  I would not be able to afford it if bought in cash.  Another option is to buy on credit which would curtail high interest rate.

A month have passed by and I still had nowhere to go.  I was about to give up the plan for Nico to enroll this month (May 2012).  He has already lost a lot of time in High School.  And at last he passed, by way of the Alternative Learning System which is recently offered by the Department of Education.  It is such a great joy to me that Nico has finally got his certificate.  It means that he could go to college.  But we decided on letting him take an informal-vocational skills training.  He is good in designs and graphics, so he wants to learn about drafting using the computers.  It would be such a let-down for him to be left behind once again.  Sometimes, it would usher in disappointments (let alone loosing heart) especially that another cousin is joining in the course but  the cousin would like to finish before the next school year begins, which will start in June.

The answer came yesterday, quite without notice, and not what I have expected  to be the source for my need.  My sister came back for a requirement she needed for her VISA application to Canada.  I did not even know she was around.  She dropped by the office to let me know she is going back to Vietnam that same night.  She wanted to say goodbye to me.  I opened my problem to her and she readily offered to pay for the PC.  I cried because I did not want to impose it upon her, but she told me she wanted to help.

Last night, I praised and thank God because He knew all the time.  I also thanked God for Martha is praying with me over my son's case.  All I needed was to trust Him and be patient to wait.

The lack of provision has caused me to think I was the roadblock myself, to my son's dreams.  But God, in his own time, moved that great boulder out of  my way.

During my early morning devotion today, He led me to the following verses:


We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair ...



Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
          Psalm 27:14 (NIV)


    I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.


Thank you God for roadblocks in our way,  it makes us pause and look up on you.  We get time to reflect upon your promises and to trust you truly and helps make our waiting moments a hopeful one.  For we know that you are always near and sees through our heart.  Amen.


When our roadblocks looks like Mt. Everest, then we need to kneel down and let God move it out of our way.

What is blocking your way today?  Keep trusting and hoping.  Be persistent in asking the Lord and do not tire of waiting.

MY BOULDER
 Maybe, the obstruction is blocking our way for a more meaningful service or ministry, then the problem could be something we need to process and something God has been sending alerts on but we are busy to take heed.

Or maybe God has been pointing at a detour, which will take you around and back on the way to your destination. Perhaps, the detour will be useful for the task that lay ahead.  Take it and ask God to lead the way.






              All of God's answers, (YES, NO, WAIT),  have   its own brand of benefits.   Being mostly short-sighted, it takes sometime for us to realize it.



















14 comments:

  1. Lolita,
    I really needed to read this today. Our circumstances do differ, but the thoughts you shared on your post really apply to my situation.

    There is a huge roadblock standing in my way, and I do not see how I can get through.

    But it has been a matter of prayer and trusting him... and waiting.

    In a post by Rosel, another Filipino blogger living in California, she quoted John Ortberg's words: "Waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be."

    I am amazed to be reading two blog posts today on the topic of waiting. And both from fellow Filipino blog authors! Surely there is a message intended for me by God our loving Father, who holds the times and the seasons of our lives in His hands!

    Glad your son Nico got his much needed laptop, and at a time you did not expect it to come!

    More blessings are being poured upon you, dear Lolita.

    Love
    Lidia

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  2. Oh, Lidia.

    You are too, in the waiting room in God's Parlor.

    I am lifting you up to our Father in heaven, that the wall will part and He will lead you into the answer which I know He is preparing for you.

    I like John Ortberg's quote. We are always in process, whether in a valley or facing a gigantic roadblock.

    I hope you will go through this waiting period victorious and empowered.

    God bless you, Lidia. May God's unhindered blessings pour upon you and your household and to your ministry-where God uses you for His glory.

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  3. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you and your son! You're such a wonderful mother, Lolita! When I got to the part where you said you were beginning to feel like you yourself were the roadblock my eye welled up. Noooo! You are the blessing, Momma! I've been there and know what it's like to feel like you're the one in the way. I'm so glad it all ended well! Love, Veronica.

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  4. Yes, my dear Veronica. All is well with our Lord.

    Thank you for the very kind words about us mothers. There is nothing we want but for our kids to be happy and successful.

    Blessings to you, dear. Do I hear another trip out to where the birds and butterflies flit & fly?

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  5. Oh, how I've missed touching your heart through your blog this last week. I couldn't wait to get here...AND to read all my dear friend's comments.

    AND to know that Martha was praying for this situation with you. SPECIAL!

    Like Veronica, I too, said NO! when I read your line about maybe you were the roadblock. It shows me your mother's humble heart, Lolita!

    This was a great message! Needful.

    And I'm so blessed to read your heart again - you allowed yourself to receive from your sister. Not everyone will do that.

    The Holy Spirit once said to me when I was in the waiting room, "Before you even knew you had a need, the provision was there." God brought your sister to you that day because it was His provision for the situation. HALLELUJAH!

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  6. Oh, Diane.

    You are making me cry. Yes, receiving provisions, even from one's sibling, is something so hard to accept. Sometimes though, one needs to humble down, crushing PRIDE on the head.

    I have always been like this. I was so self-sufficient ever since. I had to go through college by being a working student. And even if my brother is a nurse in NY, I could not bring myself to ask for financial help, and even seeing my other sibling's children sent to college by him.

    Thanks for your kind words, D and thank you too that you missed me too.

    I hope school is something you have enjoyed not endured. It is a calling, so I know you are happy to be in and can't wait to help others in pain, who might get relief at those herbal medications, or recipes.

    GBU and my love,

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  7. Lolita-
    I had meant to leave a comment much sooner but the past 48 hours have been consumed with Matt's injury to his thumb.

    It was a very serious injury-we didn't realize that until today when the Doctor saw him again and she shared this with us. I think yesterday when she was "in the Doctor Moments" it was something she felt we both were not up to hearing.

    I have NEVER heard my Husband screaming like that-and seeing him in such agony. Today was very hard as I had to watch the Doctor "gently push" his thumb back into the normal position, and see his face contort in that awful Pain again.

    Each year, Matt must go down to the Police Station in San Antonio to qualify for his license as a registered Peace Officer here in Texas. This test requires him shooting his service revolver and it does require BOTH hands when he shoots! So his test was coming up this next week and now he must cancel it, give the thumb healing time and then arrange for the test again.

    We are hopefully going to be able for his thumb to MISS surgery-but its by a very Small Margin.

    I just wanted you to know how thrilled I am about your son and Computer Gift!!!

    We call this one a "God Moment!"

    God bless you sweet Lolita. Martha

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  8. Thank you, dear Martha.

    I could feel the agony you and Matt have undergone.

    I am praying that the thumb will heal good and he will go and qualify again as a Peace Officer, which I do believe is a love of his life, besides God and YOU.

    I also wish you are OK as you put aside your own pain, to nurse your partner.

    I am glad you also arranged for the garden and the designs you wanted done being delegated to someone...... and you both are bound the that "easy char" you mentioned.

    Monday will also be something we are lifting up to our Healing God.

    Blessings to you, dear and to Matt with all my love.

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  9. BTW, Martha.

    We are a fan of the SPURS. My husband is so avid with the NBA.

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  10. Lolita-
    YAHOO- Go SPURS GO!!!

    We love this team and also watch many other NBA games!!!

    Glad to know the SPURS have wonderful fans in your part of the world.

    Love you sweet friend.

    Martha

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  11. Lolita, so glad to hear about God's provision to you! I understand how hard it is to rely on others...especially aa a single I have had to do this so many times... And being out of work for so long has made me have to rely on others too. But I've been listening to some ministry lately that has confirmed to me that we need to be open to God blessing us through whatever means and whomever he leads. He can speak into someone at church to give us money, or lead a stranger, or speak to a family member or friend, and we are turning him down if we turn them down. That is another one of those blessings we may be turning down and find out about in heaven (like you shared in that story on my blog). So I encourage you to allow others to be a blessing to you...and someday God may use you to bless others in that way too. He blesses us to be a blessing! Praise God for his provision for your Nico. :) And God will bless your sister for being willing to be His vessel in this. He will bless you for allowing Him to use her in that way to bless you.

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  12. Yes, Pam.

    Thank you so much. This is such a relief for me and I thank God for His hand is os real for me in this.

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  13. Hello Lolita,
    I want to thank you for the kind and encouraging word you left for me at my latest blog post.

    You have such a kindness in your words that touches my heart. I love it that we are kababayans... and I travel to Cebu once in a while, so there is a huge possibility that we could meet face to face.

    I also want you to meet Rosel, another kababayan, a nurse living for Jesus in California. Her blog title is listen on the sidebar of my blog, Off the Beaten Trek.

    Blessings on you today, dear blog friend. I receive your prayers and tuck them in my heart as I travel many miles until we reach our destination.

    Love
    Lidia

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  14. Thanks for the link, Lidj.

    I went over to OFF THE BEATEN TREK and I found the story of the Slow Snail.... which is the waiting lesson like this post.

    It was so reflective and makes us look at the in-between-moments...where emerge from valleys to valleys, or hallways to hallways...or the trek downhill.

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Thanks for your company. I am glad you are here. Your encouraging word is appreciated. It brings joy like a cool breeze on a hot day. GBU!