Teach Me

“Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.” – Psalm 86:11 (NLT)

Perhaps, the better amount of rainfall this past year has helped some of our fruit trees to flourish. I noticed the plum tree has given more fruits this time. I love the crispy flesh and some being sweet while the others are a little tart if, unfortunately, are plucked early from the tiny, jutted out branches. Despite the numerous flowers that fell few months ago, snatched by gusty, late afternoon winds, my family and I are happy and are grateful to be able to enjoy them this time. And share with friends.

I still wish sometimes that my late mother has taught me how to cook. She often would tell me to go upstairs and to start doing my homework. I knew better then that she wasn’t teaching me “laziness” nor “spoiling her only girl”. She was a good cook who had a hard task of creating savory recipes, while balancing the budget among six of her children. Some left overs were re-purposed but as expected, no little mouths ever complained. Plates were empty. The only argument was who would wash the plates...

ready to bake

Back to the present time…I don’t think I can eat all of the plums. I want to make something. But don’t know where to start. 

Thanks for the internet nowadays. Type a word and within an instant, there are few sites to explore. Recipes to be experimented.

 I noticed the “Plum Crisp” that came out first. My heart chose! 

“That’s it!” So, while it was a sweltering heat going on outside the house, I tried to make the concoction, tweaking the recipe a bit, because I liked vanilla and cinnamon with baked products. 

No hard decision when it came with the sugar. I drastically cut the amount knowing that the plums were sweet already and that…even before I envisioned the baked plum crisp, I drooled with the thought of putting vanilla ice cream on top!

After a few minutes, the sweet aroma that filled the kitchen reached my son's sense of smell upstairs, as he was checking his submitted project online. He ran downstairs and joined me to dig and scoop some "plum crisp" even though the plums on the bottom were still bubbling. "Who's got the time to wait???" 

plum crisp anyone?

The cold vanilla bean ice cream on top was a great contrast to the hot fruit. Delicious! It was a perfect ending after our salad for lunch. 

And I thought about my mother again...That there was a good reason for her not to teach me how to cook. She wanted me to finish my education so I could pursue what God truly had gifted me with. She didn't want me to take the path she was in. She wanted me to discover my own. She didn't teach me how to cook. But she taught me the most important gift from her heart. To discover and finish what God had instilled in me. She sacrificed so I could have a better education. The greatest gift she could share with me. Cooking could be learned. But nothing could ever beat wisdom...

I will continue to search thousands of recipes day after day. But I know my heart was given "faith" first. Then, wisdom. From God... His ways and truth shared and handed down to me. By my loving mother. 

"Drink water! Go and finish your project!" I hollered to my son. I am...Sounding like my mother...

I am...desiring to be like Jesus... I am..."I Am..."

Teach me Your ways, Oh Lord...

Learning To Trust and Slow Down

Source

I have no idea my family and I would be talking a lot about “traffic” several years after settling in this beautiful, quiet area where we live in. Many houses are built and along with that, as expected, many people are attracted to move here.

I am grateful now for the Google maps as they help me and my family navigate the back roads we have not known or taken before. But true enough, at least, we arrive at our destinations in one piece.

We know better now… To go grocery shopping when most people are at work or their children at school. To stay at home than go out on weekends when everyone seems to be in a caravan, one car joining after another to an already congested traffic on major freeways. Lots of accidents are in the headlines daily. It does feel like a major battle when I am out on the road, hoping, praying for God’s protection that I make it. Back and forth. No matter how careful I am, many are careless out there and are always tempted to break the laws just so they can get ahead of others.

Growing up, I shared Proverbs 3:5,6 with my son. I believe that when each day starts, trusting in the Lord is very important before we make decisions, whether it concerns simple or major decision-making. He has memorized it among the other life-giving verses we meditate on.

With this dilemma on the road, this verse helps me a lot and reminds me the importance of depending on Him no matter where I go, no matter what I do. When I feel that I need to take the back roads instead of taking a risk on busy, major roads, I always realize that not only do I enjoy the peace and quiet but also I am able to see new things that I never know exist along those back roads before. The process of reaching intended places takes longer at times, but in reality, in being able to slow down, I have lower and even "zero" risk of being injured.

It has been going on for a year or two now that I take the back roads on and off.

How I learn each time I slow down! That in my life, God slows me down sometimes in order for me to realize that aside from the importance of trusting in Him always, the right things seem to have a chance to catch up with my life’s journey.

I see this also with my son. With frustration in his goal to become a Graphic Designer few months ago, God has shown him ways that His alternative is better (Of course!) than what is being required from most schools. He is pursuing this in a different way, yet he feels free instead of being pressured, and in reality, will make him be able to finish on the right track than before.

I see this with my husband. His initiated early, daily prayer between us before he goes to work and with our son, joining hands again each night, thankful because the three of us are all witnesses to God’s constant protection, guidance, provision, discernment and most of all, His love.

So, I’ll end this post this way:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5,6 (NLT)

From Pinterest

Rain Or Sunshine

              “You go before me and follow me.

        You place your hand of blessing on my head.

                      Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

      too great for me to understand!” – Psalm 139:5-6 (NLT)

My family decided to leave despite the forecast of a heavy storm. We needed to haul the remaining little things we left in the apartment where my son stayed. With a few days remaining to vacate the place, we wanted to get done with everything even before the deadline to be out of his unit would come.

I made sure we had a good breakfast as the trip was a little far. Even farther if all the heavy volumes of vehicles got on the same road. I accidentally left the alarm set when I would wake up and prepare my husband’s lunch for work. So, I got up early and decided to make lunch, anticipating that we would not have enough time to pick up anything “to go” and in case, we wanted to keep not delaying the packing up process.

light rain fell

The rain came down lightly and for some reason, the traffic was busy but hardly stopped like the usual “snail-like” movement we knew. My husband was following my son’s car as I rode with my son who volunteered to drive, instead of me driving my car. I felt comfortable that he was watching us from behind. With many careless drivers around, it was minus one concern of worrying who was behind my son’s car.

“Are you okay?” I asked my son who quickly replied, “Yes, Mom,” as he tried to focus his attention on the road ahead. I noticed my husband maintaining his distance from behind. I called him on his cell phone if he was okay. That was just how we are. Always asking each other if we were okay, whether it was smooth sailing in our daily lives or if there were bumps on the roads. 

my husband's car behind my son's

“Did you guys notice something?” I asked when we arrived at the place.

“Thank You, Lord,” were the first answer by two men.

It started raining when we arrived and quickly, we finished cleaning the place and wrapping the remaining things. We enjoyed a good lunch. And we met a mild downpour on our way home before the rain became harder when we got home.

a hearty lunch for "joyful" movers

We were grateful. My son knew. No matter what weather, it would be okay.

Knowing that Someone is faithful with His promises of being there, leading, following and making sure we are “okay”. Not just okay. But “to remain joyful” whether the days bring rain or sunshine.

                                                             PRAYER FOR JOY

Lord, I'm not always thankful enough that I'm a Christian. When I stop to think of all the blessings that come to me because I believe in You, I can only say that Your love for me is the greatest thing that has happened to me. Make me properly thankful for Your love and let me never fail to be happy about it. Help me to find real joy in worshiping You. And only You. Help me to sing the truths of the wonderful hymns with my heart as well as my lips. What I hear with my ears, send them down deep into my heart. Let the joy of belonging to Jesus show itself in my words and actions and make me a blessing, not only to my family and friends, but to anyone who will cross my path. Help me to share my joy of salvation with others. So many people are discouraged and disappointed over both little and large matters. Help me to say and do the right thing at the right time. Thank You Lord for Your love, grace, and mercy. Thank You for going before and behind us. Thank You that Your promises are true and because of You, we have this imperishable hope whether we have sunny or rainy days in our lives. We love You Lord. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Leaning On A Shoulder

"Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." - Psalm 55:22 (NLT)

My family and I had sailed stormy seas these past two weeks. My son did not expect the sudden change of weather as he just started to set his sail and embarked on pursuing his passion in a school he thought would give him the best opportunity. He did very well during the first quarter. But when the next came, there was a sudden shift with the wind and became rougher the more he tried to steady his boat of college life. The stronger waves of confusion tried to shake him and caused a lot of fears and worries. The soft winds of the adviser's words were a disguise to the threatening howls of vague instructions that created a poor vision and sapped my son's energy and love for Graphic Design. Poor vision was what he saw, instead of clear, smooth horizon.

We had a lot of talking. In the morning. Noon. Midnight. All the in-betweens. We tried to gather our remaining hope and kept on praying for God to increase our faith and remove the darts of confusion aimed at my son. Like a weary child inside God's armor, many times my son rested his head on my shoulder and that of my husband's.

"It's okay to cry. But you will never know how much more it hurts us," I whispered, paired with countless hugs and kisses. Of unconditional love. Fiery reassurances.

Saw a rainbow while driving once

Do you know how good it feels that no matter what age, your child or a loved one can literally rest their heads on your shoulders? I know as he does that, I can feel his burden lightening up. And though it causes more pain on my part, I know through those warm tears, healing starts.

I have to be honest. There were a couple of times I told my son that I didn't know how much longer I could be strong for him. But each moment I surrendered to a quiet time of prayer,  I knew I would always be strong. My husband would always be strong. My son would be strong and remained so.

Because there is a Shoulder Who is always welcoming us when we need that to cry on. Whose Voice is always calling to cast our anchors in the deep and vast ocean of His mercy. Who is the Beacon for all those lost out on the open, rough seas.

Have you tried leaning your head on His Shoulders? On Jesus' shoulders?