God Will Not Pick Our Garbage

While people complain about rancid garbage in the city, only few among us take steps to help solve it. We expect the government to pick all our trash; yet we don’t discipline ourselves in keeping our streets clean. We want others to gather our mess.

Sometimes we do this to God. We pray for transformation but are not willing to work out. We want God to clean our mess. One thing is sure: He does forgive sins and cleanse it, but He won’t pick our mess. The consequences still remain.

God will not plant trees for us. He is not a hippie who will recycle your rubbish. Though He gives rain to the vegetable farmer and causes the seeds to grow, He will not be the one to cultivate the soil, water the plant or nurture it. That is partnership!   

No single government can do everything for all. It cannot even meet the needs of everyone. For that, NGOs, non-profits institutions, and churches are, therefore, key players in the development of our nation.

We need not pray only, “Lord have mercy on our country!” We must express our love for country in practical steps. Report abuses to the right agency. Stop pointing fingers and hand me that brick! Let’s build a community where we can live in peace. Pray for righteous administrators in the government whose heart runs after the mission rather than commission.

While it is right to be heard about our concerns, let us do what we can for our country in unity. Some schools teach ideals only but are incapable of doing something to solve problems in the society. Instead of producing leaders, roles and responsibilities, they create rebels.

Ask for wisdom from above. How can I be a responsible citizen? 

Daddy, Let’s Dance

 

With grin on her cheek, I watched in delight as she spoke those words to me. With tiny arms wide open, my two-year-four-months baby girl invited me for a dance. I held her in my arms and raised her above the floor; we danced to our sweet-music with mommy watching and smiling beside the kitchen.

If only I could turn back time, how I wished I danced with my mom or dad. But my memories cannot remember that I did. Now I feel so blessed enjoying the presence of my kids, spending—not just quality time but—quantity time with them. Now I understand when the Psalmist sang, “children are a gift from the Lord.”

Like you, I did not grow up in a perfect family. I didn’t even enjoy my childhood that much. I have to work early, earn, and go to school. Until I finished my doctorate, I supported myself. A great part of me-as-as-a-child was missing. I enjoyed my friends better than my family.

But now that I have a family of my own, they become everything to me and make a life-change. It is never too late for everybody too. No need to cry over spilled-milk, right?

Friend, move on. Learn from the past. Enjoy the present; face the future. When I counsel young people, see them move to the next level, the pleasure is natural. Growing up in those dysfunctional families or with suicidal tendencies is never easy. Seek help.

For others, to reach someone we need open our tiny world, bend our knees, and bring others to our level. Only then we look them in the eye and feel the joy they bring. Take heart!

Never miss those little moments to make someone happy. It might never come again. Stay cool.

The Great Hope

Time magazine called Manny Pacquiao as “The Great Hope”—at least in the realms of sports. His evolution from a street-slugger to a smart-sportsman inspires people, not just Filipinos. But what does “the Great Hope” means?

Sure Manny is the world’s #1 Pound for Pound boxer. Sure Filipinos are desperate to see a hero stand in behalf of their disgraced nation. Like Manny, he is someone who found himself in the limelight, driven by his desire to feed his poor family, fighting for survival. But his hardships and discipline paid off. He is now one of the richest athletes in the world!

Success, in prestige and finances, makes Manny a great model to local boxers. They want to emulate what he did—or maybe use boxing to exit from poverty. (Is boxing a poor man’s game? Most boxers came from poor stratum though.)

Nonetheless, in this life journey, people tend to admire heroes. They don’t follow losers. Within the psyche of Filipinos rests an adamant spirit striving to survive. This courage within is like wildfire, when unleashed, it breaks down all barriers.

Sure there is only one Manny Pacquio, but the determined spirit to win is pervasive. Winning the game of life is a basic human desire. Because of “desire” humans succeed. It takes the first step of desire to will and survive—then overcome and succeed.

In reality, the great hope is in every Filipino—the desire for change, the courage to say “enough is enough.” Fight against corruption, injustice; overcome lack of leadership insight and vision; strive for excellence in education, entrepreneurship, and work ethics. Above all, cling to the Ultimate Hope, the source and finisher of our faith.

What can one man do? Thus, the real great hope, indeed, is the awakening Filipinos. Us!