God's Amazing Grace

God is indeed faithful and true. I have experienced God's enabling grace...it is really sufficient.

Rianne and I went through a lot of pain but God saw us through...and as my sister's encouragement to me - God is holding us at the palm of His hand.

Psalm 37:25

"I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."

God provided for everything we could ever ask for. He has given people to take care of us...peope we don't know being mindful of us. People we met for the first time telling us how good Mama was to them and how they like to do things for us in honor of our Mom...yes, we reap what we sow. And whatever we sow, it's not only us who will reap but our children (and even our children's children as well).

Psalm 116:15"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."

I Corinthians 15:55-58

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Yes, Mama was more than prepared. She was more than excited to meet God. We know, she is already walking in streets of gold and we can just imagine her excitement, her gladness, her peace, her joy as she worships and honors God.

I Peter 3:9

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Hard as it may seem, it was really God's enabling grace that gave me and Rianne the strength to talk to the gunman, prayed for him and forgave him. It was God's kindness and compassion. Mama's death seasoned us also and I believe, He has prepared our hearts and character to face such a difficult circumstance. He has enabled us to forgive according to His grace. And I know, we made Mama proud...knowing her, she would always say, "Bay-amun anak ko. Amu amin ni Apo Diyos dayta. Isuna ti makaammun".

Psalm 126:3-6

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

God has given us peace all throughout. He is carrying us through this difficult time. Losing Papa nine years ago was already painful. But losing Mama now - in such a way - is really "devastating". But I thank God for His grace is sufficient. I thank God for His love. I thank God for He is the God of justice. I thank God for He is our vindicator.

Isaiah 66:13

As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.

God is a big God. We miss our Mom so much. We miss Papa so much. But God can comfort us and embrace us, more than Mama and Papa did. He loves us more than Mama and Papa loved us.

We were so privileged to be raised by Mama and Papa in such a short time. Two people I owe my life to. Raised me up to be the person I am now.

Yes, I will raise my son in such a way that I will also be a crown to my husband's head and a blessing to my son...

I may not be half the person Mama was...I may not have half of the strength she had...but I am still her daughter...and I have God on my side....