The Future Begins

How do you like to be remembered? MLM junkie? Womanizer? Greedy bastard? Or what will your children think of you? Absentee father or mother? Loving? Responsible? Will your friends be proud of you?

The life we live today is the history we leave tomorrow. Simply stated, we write our own history. Because of memory, only humans have history. In fact, to familiarize the past, you need to know key figures; then you’ll have an overview of it. Yet remembering people also leaves traces of lifestyles, some good, some wicked. For that, a wise king observed, “The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”

No wonder, “A good name is more desirable than great riches.” A wise father leaves a good name for his children. You don’t want your grandchild someday to say “my granddad’s the most corrupt politician.” No sound mind ever boasts like that. Even if family members deny, people either curse or cherish you.

The life we live today is etched in the memory of the people around us. Some are deep, some are shallow; but what matters most is the pathway we left for them to follow. If it’s bad, it’s a stumbling block, a vicious cycle; if good, it’s a blessing.

Life’s a book, so they say. Each day, you leave a page of your history; someday people will read it. Like it or not, we leave behind open-pages of history, a piece of you. Whatever your legacy will be, it is your choice. I hope it’s an inheritance of compassion, kindness, and justice. If not, change yourself.

Be a footnote in history by leaving a noble life-story. Today, younger generation looks for a hero. And that could be you.

Let the future begin…today.

What’s So Amazing about Grace

A year ago, I arrived from Maui, Hawaii for Haggai advanced leadership training. The next day, I treated my family at SM Pines. I also bought Chicco shoes for my eldest son, Johnne; he kept it by his side. After our hearty dinner in Pizza Hut, we bought groceries and heading home.

When we arrived home, we noticed something. The new shoes were gone!

“Johnne, where are your shoes?” my wife asked.

He immediately replied pointing to his old pair of shoes, “There!”

“No, the new one” she responded.

Johnne realized his mistake; he broke down crying, “Mommy!!! Daddy!!! Sorry!”

I stood in front looking of him. If I was a boy on his shoes, I could have been whipped as strict discipline. And yet because of mercy, I withheld any form of rush punishment on him. My wife and I forgave him and hoped that someone with kids of their own picked the new shoes—and use them.

Then in the morning, I brought Johnne to the same mall. When he saw shoes on the rack, he did not insist anymore of having one.

“My son, do you still want to have that pair of shoes?”

He said shyly, “yes,” I purchased the same shoes he liked. Even though he did not deserved it anymore I paid and gave it anyways. Along the way home, he whispered, “thank you, daddy.”

I looked straight on his sheepish face, “I love you, baby.” I embraced him tenderly for he taught me what grace is.

I’m thankful to our Father above too; he did the same to me—giving more favor than I deserved. I don’t even know where I would be if not for His…amazing grace.

When was the last time you were gracious to someone?

Heroes among Us

Real heroes are not front-pagers, while visibility does not mean integrity.

True leaders are made in crises, but mind you, fake leaders exploit predicaments also. The recent calamities showed bogus ones—leaders who are only good on posing for pictures and media hypes. They are not actually helpers but hustlers in profiting out of the situation. Reports of show-offs, insincere and shams are now in the free internet. In fact, big-time players are now beginning to show their true colors.

Relief operations can be a vast conspiracy of kindness. Reports of cash aids diverted and undelivered donations are no longer rumors. It seems that cameras are for cash; sometimes, even missionaries and coordinators used the same. For people to buy the news and appeal, sensationalizing is logical—but not necessarily right.

That is why handling critical events and information requires integrity. The plumb-line between right motive and vested interest is slim. Only the fruit will tell if the act is genuine. So news (including pictures) must be delivered in truth, not for profit—and documentations for accountability.

My kind of heroes, though, is not image-conscious. They respond in times of trouble. Their presence is not driven by misguided politics, mere curiosity or hypocrisy. Some were under order by authorities, but many are compelled to help. Some gave meals, reliefs, goods, cash, and the like; they simply acted without string attached.

A leader who only cares for position (or promotions!) rather than function is no leader at all. We must applaud our ordinary heroes. They promote a culture of compassion, courage, and character. They gave resources and empower people. Theirs was not only rescues but redemption.

Real heroes inspire transformation. They are the people you knew who were there in times of need. They are life-giving to others.