Gratuitous Mumblings

January 11, 2011

Dear pea-sized angel, 

It’s been four days since we found out you’re here somewhere swimming inside me. It has been overwhelming in all aspects: physically, financially and emotionally. Mama’s got the cough and colds. They said once you’re pregnant, your immune system gradually lowers its defenses so as not to identify you little dufus as an invader. So now you got mama worked up all night coughing her brains out, and you got papa’s head in swirls trying to figure out what to do with our financial status. No sweat, darling, it’s all worth it. 

I firmly believe that values should be instilled at an early age. Try as you might to force it on someone after a quarter of a century, words will just fall on deaf ears. Simply put, there’s no point in hoping that a person who has grown up without values will start acquiring it later on at some point in his life. 

So Lourdes, when you become a parent, do remember this and remember it well: teach your child what your parents have taught you. Never be selfish. Put others’ cause above yours. Give to charity. Help the needy, especially those who have been struck by unexpected tragedy. Care for the sick. Be respectful of your elders. Always mind your table manners. Be mindful to offer assistance to the weak. Do not brag. Your talents and skills are gifts from above. When you’ve been invited to a home, always bring a token. Never, and I mean NEVER, go empty-handed. It’s impolite. Do not be reckless with words but do not try to become somebody else. Stay as yourself, and you will never go wrong. 

I’ll have more reminders to myself, but these will do for now. 

Going to church means a lot to me, so I hate going to a service that feels like a variety show. I understand that ministers of the church want people to flock to their service, but most of the time, with this intention in mind, they forget what their real mission is: to proclaim the gospel.

This was a real issue for me when I moved here in the US. In the Philippines, I’ve gotten accustomed to Neo Catechumenal Way priests (though we were told not to categorized them as that as they’re not confined to the movement alone), who preach the word as it is, hitting the spot where it hurts. 

As it was, I got lucky. First church I’ve gone to in Roselle, NJ, and I instantly like the parish priest. He reminds, constantly urging church goers to summon what little connection they have with the creator. And in all honesty, I think that’s the main purpose of being the Lord’s rep. 

Last Sunday’s gospel was a reminder of how little I am compared with the Lord’s greatness. I had known every day of my life that God was indeed powerful, but it seems I have laid my trust on other things, specifically my own strength. His greatness seemed like a myth to me, a legend that has spanned ages but really nothing to be acknowledged in these times. I have always relied on what knowledge and wisdom I thought I had acquired, but in reality, this so-called accomplishment is the jest that’s been fooling me for a quarter of a century. Without God, I am nothing. That much is true.

Having been established the fullness of his glory, he implored me to obey and put my trust in him. You see, I have visions (in vivid color) of my life. Step by step, I’ve been intricately weaving what was supposed to be a rock star’s tragedy (OK scratch that). I seriously think that I’ve become too ambitious for my own good that the Lord is quietly telling me to be still, be content with the life He has provided for me now, and know that He is God. He has plans for me. I have to believe that, force myself if I have to, so I can accept everything He has laid down for me. You see, love wasn’t an easy path to tread as what I had first thought. Marriage is definitely not a bed of roses, but with God’s grace, I am looking at the bright and sunny side of it, which excludes the thorns.

thelegendaryjackofalltrades:

“Man.

 Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.

Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.

And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;

the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;

he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

(Source: blarghblarghblarghblargh)

ihavebrokenpromises:

OMG

OMG!