April 05, 2013

FMF: AFTER



Image Source




MY AFTER

Start



Graduation!  

All smiles, jubilant and the future looks so bright and full of hope.  We paraded in line to receive the most coveted piece of paper which is our ticket to the world.
What transpired before we reached the stage no longer look like mountains. In fact they seem to be molehills.  Looking back, it was as though I have climbed the 100th step to view the Chocolate Hills. And I was convinced, at the distance, is my own Hill and I had the ladder to climb to its top.  

Candles were lit and burnt.  Papers passed and defended.  Tests were scored.  Financial worries taken cared of...... and the day dawned for me when I had to march among a throng of black robed young adults, my course colors around my neck and the tassels swinging in my face as we walked.  Then it was my turn to accept my degree and my honors.

I was ready to go on my way to the happily-ever-after land and meet my frog prince along the way.

I thought then that I had reached the peak.  But then soon, after new trials, new hurdles, new valleys, I realized that it was only the beginning.  There was this road that led me to Damascus.  Then I met Jesus there and I learned that the best Education is in His Wisdom.

STOP
Isaiah 55:8-11

The Message (MSG
“I don’t think the way you think.
   The way you work isn’t the way I work.”        
God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth,    
so the way I work surpasses the way you work,    
and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Just as rain and snow descend from the skies    
and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, 
Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, 
    producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry,
So will the words that come out of my mouth
    not come back empty-handed.

They’ll do the work I sent them to do,


    they’ll complete the assignment I gave them."
P.S.


.... and my after is hopefully spent learning more and trying to obey, through the Holy Spirit, to love others as myself and to love God above all, so we could live in His peace and His guidance. 

The best thing to value at every turn and mileage is not the degree, nor the diploma or accolade but it is the in-between journey.  For was it not said that, "The best teacher is experience?"

I need to add this.  In retrospect, my joy for graduation was doubled due to the triumph over poverty.  I needed to work for my keep and studied in the evenings.  The requirements and hassles to the day we stood before our Dean were difficulties surmounted.  There was nothing that could dampen the day.  Not even walking on borrowed pair of shoes.



Luke 10:27
The Message (MSG)
 
27 He said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.” 



Philippians 4:7

The Voice (VOICE)
And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.
Stop



JOINING LISA-JO AT FMF-04.05.2013

WITH THE WORD PROMPT-AFTER

Five Minute Friday



Lisa Jo Baker of Five Minute Fridays, offers a word prompt each Friday.  
Write for five minutes without overchecking the spelling, grammar etc.  
Then enter your own post to link-up and hop in to the person immediately
 before you to read his/her blogand you may visit other linkies to be inspired in 
what they are saying about the word.  That's all and be in community.



24 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You know, I think that sometimes we have these huge fairy tale painted images in our minds of what the future holds... you are right, every detail accounted for, we almost expect it to be handed out, and that is the END of a long climb up the hill.... but that is SO not reality! Life is up and down and , dare I say, backwards.... But the hope that we have in Christ can keep us swimming in the currents, no matter what life does (or does not) throw our way.

    http://infamousmorris.weebly.com/1/post/2013/04/five-minute-friday-after-attempted-kidnapping.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heaven, although not yet seen, is our reality as Christians. Thanks for the inspiring wods, Morris.

      Delete
  3. Hi. I was the post linked right after yours on Five Minute Friday, so I wanted to stop by and read yours.
    Congratulations on your graduation! It is so wonderful that you recognize the importance of putting Christ first. I love the scriptures you chose.
    Beautiful post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jennifer. My graduation was a long time ago though. I just remembered it because I attended several graduations of nephews and nieces recently and how their faces shone for their future.

      thanks for coming over.

      Delete
    2. sorry my browser messed up and posted this three times...

      Delete
    3. No prob, Jen. I have similar problems here. The pages are loading so slow, then we press again later our comments come out in duplicates.

      Delete
  4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a nice memories. Memories to that I wished I experienced, but God has other plans for me.
    Anyway, like you imparted, the best school is with God and his words.
    Very inspirational!
    By the way, my birthday is on march 10, not april month. I wrote about it in my post in willyouhearfromme.blogspot.com titled M-A-R-C-H.
    Have a nice day sis and hugs from me:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sis Joy for pointing it to me. Perhaps I have missed it when I could not have free time hands on the net.

      Glad to find you here and back from vacation.

      Delete
  6. Good to look back Lolita and realize God was directing you all the time. Education is good to have but wisdom from the Lord can make one use their education for His glory. Blessings.
    P.S. Still wondering if you ever got the little gift I sent you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Betty. Don't worry. I will go to central PO and check. It is just a very short walk from my office and by now they know me for the boxes from Martha, Diane and Pam. Lynni also sent me her book, the Love Letters to God. Pam sent me a copy of the Chicken Soup for the Soul which has her contribution about Angel visitation.

      Anyway, I am waiting for yours. It is always like that here in the 3rd World. We usually receive posts for about 45 days from the US. Poor service huh.

      Thank you for thinking and praying for me. I wish I could retaliate.... but my prayers always include you and the Circle.

      Hugs.

      Delete
    2. Oh I remember the 3rd world mail system. In Bolivia it was two feeted thief who stole our mail. In Papua New Guinea it was the four feeted kind, rats. Nothing like getting your Christmas packages in Feb or March that were mailed in Oct. God is pouring out His love through package from your followers. Blessings.

      Delete
  7. Hi Lolita. Thanks for this glimpse into your graduation and afters, and journeys with God. :)

    I was thinking of you on Sunday. Someone was sharing photos of Manilla. You live closer to Davoa, right?

    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes closer to Davao than in Manila. We are at the central parts of the archipelago. I live in Cebu.

      Delete
  8. Thanks for sharing about this important time in your life. i can understand why it held so much joy for you... and even more when The Lord made Himself known more deeply to you. Bless you this week! - Pam

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Lolita! Congratulations to your new feat. Life is certainly more meaningful with Christ in our lives. Btw, would you like us to be each others' follower? Take care :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Farida. I am already your follower. Thanks for your visit here.

      Delete
    2. Hi Ate Lolita, thank you for your kind words and for commenting on an entry. How'd you find that post? Nonetheless, Christ has significantly played a great part in my life especially after the accident. I'm glad we both have Him in our lives :) God bless!

      Delete
    3. The post touched me because I was there before, only my paralysis was only for a shorter period. The therapy helped me to walk again and now still working until I retire.

      Bless you as you bless others with your testimony.

      Delete
  10. Congratulations, Lolita! Working hard in school while supporting yourself in jobs too is hard work! I'm proud of you. That's how I had to do college too, and it was an accomplishment for me too. Now my son gets to learn that too...

    How have you been?!

    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for checking on me, Jen. It is the connection in our office. It is so crawl-like... as in snail-mail-like and most of us are firewalled.

      Blessings and promise to visit you soon.

      Delete

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!