sunflower headband picture via
As I, my sister, and my parents were walking towards the church door after the mass…I saw a girl, who is probably around 10 years old, wearing a sunflower headband…Just like the one in the above picture.My eyes were glued to her hair accessory and I couldn’t help but tell myself…Oh, that’s such a pretty sunflower headband!I am so fascinated by this flower’s inexplicable ability to make me smile.Maybe it’s the vibrant yellow color that sends positive vibes…Because just like the sun, the sight of it brightens my mood and lifts my spirit.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. – John 3:16
Sometimes when I am faced with trials…And when it seems as if the challenges in my life will never end…It is so difficult to find a reason to smile…There was even an instance wherein I couldn’t seem to find a reason to smile anymore.Sometimes I refuse to contract those smiling muscles…Because I made myself believe…That as long as I haven’t found the solution/s to a problem I am faced with…Then I certainly don’t deserve to be happy and enjoy life...More of a self-punishment actually.At one point in my life, out of a feeling of hopelessness, I spoke these words…“Why do I always have to be the one to get hurt?”“Am I meant to feel miserable for the rest of my life?”And…“Dear God, I want to be happy…I don’t know what happiness is…Please let me know what happiness is.”
But little did I know that there was one important truth I forgot about…
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. – 1 John 4:14-15
When life seems to have turned its back on you…Remember that God doesn’t…He never did…And He never will.And one beautiful proof of God’s faithfulness to us is by sending His Son, Jesus…To die on the cross and redeem us from our sins.
Remembering Jesus…And reminding myself of the reasons why He had to suffer so much…Just makes me feel so grateful and loved…Because I am among the reasons why Christ had to go through all those.And thinking of it lightens the burden in my heart.It gives me hope…Because there is ALWAYS certainty in God’s wordAnd in God’s promise that I will be saved if I clung to Christ.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12
Jesus is the reason to be grateful.Jesus is the reason to be happy.Jesus makes me smile.Jesus is my sunflower. :-)