Yesterday, the sky was surrounded by clouds that appeared gray…And the sun and its rays seemed to be hiding from view.Then in the afternoon, there was a slight downpour which lasted for a few minutes.That made me grab my point-and-shoot camera and head outside…Hoping to capture the beauty of the raindrops.
Well anyway, it’s supposed to be summer in the Philippines already…And yet it was announced that there is a storm building up somewhere…So that explains the rain yesterday.And how strange that the climate is becoming pretty erratic these days…The other day, the sweltering heat had me sweating profusely.But then yesterday, it was cooler and rain fell down from the sky…Are the unpredictable climate changes also experienced in other parts of the planet???
But thank God weather forecasts somehow give us an idea of what to expect for the day…And they allow us to prepare for what it is to come…Like being ready with those umbrellas, raincoats, boots, and slippers when it rains and / or floods…(Just like what usually happens in my college alma mater during the rainy season eek!).
This got me thinking…Life itself is just like the climate change nowadays…Erratic and unpredictable…And sometimes, “storms” can come as a surprise…And us, unprepared, unequipped to face such challenge.
LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps. – Jeremiah 10:23
The other night, I was hit by an unexpected “life storm.”(I feel it is a very sensitive issue so I wouldn’t go into details here in my blog.)Well, it didn’t exactly happen to me…It was experienced by someone close to me.But because that person is an important person in my life…I share a part of that person’s heartache, sorrow, suffering…And that caused me to experience a storm of my own.Struck by worry, I didn’t really sleep well.
This reminded me so much of the Passion of Christ…How spectators watched Him suffer brutally…And how these unfolded right before the eyes of His Mother, Mary…
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
Mary watched helplessly as wounds were inflicted on her beloved Son…Physical, emotional, psychological wounds…She saw Him struggle to carry the Cross…And mercilessly nailed on it.And then witnessed Him die.I couldn’t imagine how much pain a mother had to endure as she saw her son slowly being put to death.
And yet despite all these hurt…Mary remained humble and obedient to God…And fully surrendered to His will.
I am so amazed by Mary’s pure heart…And this story is a reminder for me to do the same…To continue praying for my loved ones and entrust them to God’s care.
This, then, is how you should pray:Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. – Matthew 6:9-13