Hardcore Nell RETURNS!!!

After a long silence of writing on my blog, I came to a point of realization - "why stop something that I really love to do". It's been 9 years now since I last posted a blog. I admit, I really missed the days I spent on my laptop, typing my journal, composing poems, or writing short articles. I don't know why I've stopped, but as the Bible says "there's a time for everything". I took a break, but HARDCORE NELL returns, and it's never too late than never. I'm starting to get back on my track again. It may be slow, and I'm starting to be a bit rusty, but the show must go on. After being a first time mom, immigration process, adapting the American life, unemployment, citizenship, new career, promotion, second child,  bunch of challenges these past years, and now the ever popular pandemic COVID-19...I should say they were a bit overwhelming. But, by God's grace I'm here and I'm back!

We never know
Or fully realize
How sweet and kind our parents are,
How gentle and how wise

We simply take for granted,
From day to passing day,
Each sacrifice they make for us
In their own loving way.

But then we grow and finally learn,
The way that children do,
How much their love has really meant,
How thoughtful they've been, too -

And so this comes with all the thanks
You both deserve and more.
For there aren't two dearer parents
Than the one this poem for ...

Happy 31st Wedding Anniversary Mama and Papa!

We love you!!!

KAIBIGAN…SA AKING PANANAW

“Ang tunay na kaibigan ay nagmamahal sa lahat ng oras, sa panahon ng kagipitan ay kapatid na tumutulong.”- Kawikaan 17:17

Minsan aking napagtanto, ano para sa aking ang isang KAIBIGAN?

Dumating ako sa isang konklusyon at nais kong ipamahagi ito sa
Aking Minamahal na Kaibigan.

Ito ay sa isang pagkakataon na nagkakilala tayo,
Sa sariling ibig tayo’y naging magkaibigan ...

Ang pagkakaibigan ay isang kakaibang bagay ...
Natatagpuan natin ang ating sarili

nasasabi sa bawat isa ang mga detalye ng kanilang buhay ...
Mga bagay na hindi natin kayang ibahagi kahit sa ating
mga pamilya na nagpalaki sa atin ...

Subalit Ano ang isang kaibigan??
Isang bantay-salakay?
Isang magkasintahan?
Isang Fellow junkie email?
Balikat na masasandalan

Isang tagapakinig

Pusong may pakiramdam?
Kasangga sa panalangin.

Ang kaibigan ay ang lahat ng mga bagay na aking naturan at higit pa.
Hindi mahalaga kung saan tayo nagkakilala,
Hindi mahalaga kung nasaan ka,

Ako’y palaging naritong nananalangin sa’yo

Aking kaibigan

Maigsing salita

Ngunit higit pa sa pakiramdam
Isang salitang puno na may damdamin.
Ito ay tunay na mahusay na bagay,
dumating sa maliit na mga sisidlan.

Kapag ang sisidlan ng pagkakaibigan ay nabuksan,
hindi ito maaaring maisara ...
Ito ay isang patuloy na libro na laging nakasulat ...
Naghihintay na basahin at kinawiwilihan.

Maaari magkaroon ng di pagkakaunawaan... maaari namang magtaltalan
Maaari magkaroon ng ilang mga alalahanin sa isa ...
Ang pagkakaibigan ay isang natatanging bono na tumatagal sa pamamagitan ng lahat ng ito ...

Ang isang bahagi na sa akin ay nakintal sa aking mga kaibigan ...
Ilang sa mga ito ay ang aking mga katatawanan ... Ang ilang sa mga ito ay ang aking pakikinig ...
Ilang sa mga ito ay tunay na karanasan ng buhay ... ilang sa mga ito ay ang aking mga romanticism ...
ngunit sa lahat, ito ay pagkakaibigaN.

Pagkakaibigan nililok ay isang tayuan malakas pa kaysa sa bakal na bumuo ng isang pundasyon ...
Kinakailangan para sa BUHAY, at kinakailangan para sa pag-ibig, serbisyo para sa PANGINOON.

Kaibigan…

Ikaw at Ako
Sinimulan natin ang ating bilog ng pagkakaibigan ...
At tulad ng na bilog ay walang simula, walang katapusan.

Ang ating pagkakaibigan ay para sa lamang isang maikli at kaibig-ibig na oras,

ngunit ito’y ay hindi lamang sinusukat sa pamamagitan lamang ng haba ng oras na kilala natin ang bawat isa ...

Salamat sa pagiging isang mabuting kaibigan
Ito ay maaaring maging isang dramatikong mensahe ...
Ngunit gusto ko lang sabihin...

kung paano ang ating pagkakaibigan ay nangangahulugan sa akin ...

BAHA...BAHA...Kailan ka mawawala???

Dalawa lang naman ang panahon sa Pilipinas.Tag-araw at Tag-ulan. Pero bakit marami pa rin ang nagugulat at natataranta sa tuwing bumubuhos ang ulan?! Hindi ba tayong pwedeng kumalma lang at tumabi sa bangketa habang binubuksan ang baong payong? Bakit sa tuwing umuulan na lang ay para tayong mga langgam na nagpupulasan at kanya-kanyang diskarte kung paano maiiwasan ang mga patak nito? Kahit alam naman natin na sa tuwing sasapit ang mga buwan ng Hunyo at Hulyo ay siguradong uulan; 'wag na lang nating hulaan kung ano ang eksaktong araw ~ trabaho na ng PAG-ASA 'yan. Kung ulan lang naman ang ikinagugulat natin bakit 'di na lang magdala ng payong? Mahirap ba magdala nito o nahihiya ka at ayaw mong masira ang porma mo?

Matagal na problema na ang urong-sulong na pagdesisyon sa pagsususpindi sa klase ng mga mag-aaral, madalas nakapasok na ang mga estudyante saka pa lamang sasabihin na walang klase! Pero hindi pa rin ito masolusyunan. Paurong ba talaga tayo?

Ganoon na din katagal ang panukala na ilipat ang pasukan ng mga mag-aaral sa buwan ng Setyembre (panahon pa ito ni Marcos) upang maiwasan ang abala sa kanilang pag-aaral. At ngayon muli itong binubuhay sa Senado sa pamamagitan ng Senate Bill 2407 ni Sen. Drilon layon nitong ilipat sa Setyembre ang pagbubukas ng klase sa halip na Hunyo upang makaiwas ang estudyante sa matinding baha at ulan. Ngunit marami ang tumututol at sumalungat sa panukalang ito noon pa man dahil panahon daw ito ng bakasyon kung saan masarap ang magliwaliw at magswimming sa kung saan-saang resort.

Sige hayaan na lang natin na Hunyo hanggang Marso ang pasukan at ang mga buwang maiinit at masarap mag-swimming na Abril at Mayo ang bakasyon.

Pabayaan na lang nating lumusong at lumangoy sa baha ang mga mag-aaral na animo'y mga kaawa-awang mga basang sisiw pauwi sa kani-kanilang mga bahay.

Hayaan na lang nating mag-klase ang mga estudyante sa kasagsagan ng ulan na nakababad ang paa sa baha habang tumutulo ang maingay na patak ng ulan.

Hayaan na rin nating magsuspindi nang magsuspindi ng klase sa tuwing may bagyo at malakas ang ulan dahil mas prayoridad ng mga kritiko at magagaling ang bonding time sa paglalakwatsa kaysa ang quality time sa loob ng silid-aralan.

Mababa na nga ang kalidad ng pag-aaral sa Pilipinas nababawasan pa ang bilang ng mga araw ng kanilang pag-aaral dahil sa panahon ng Tag-ulan.

Tutal pareho naman palang importante ang SWIMMING at pag-aaral, eh di pagsabayin na lang natin.

HOW YOU CAN BE A GOOD TEACHER

If you aspire to become a successful teacher, you must: have a sense of humor, possess an optimistic outlook, set a high standard, prove that you are a consistent teacher, treat all students fairly, and be flexible.

Generally, teachers who do well in their teaching career tend to have similar traits. In order for you to succeed and become a good educator, you must have the right materials and sufficient training. in addition, a competent teacher should possess certain positive characteristics.

These are to be learned, developed and mastered. They are precious qualities, which you cannot buy from a teacher supply store. All of these traits are within you, just waiting to be unlocked and honed. Let us find out if you have what it takes to become the successful teacher you know you can be.

Have a sense of humor

Having a good sense of humor will give you an edge. Your sense of humor can reduce any tension within the classroom, and it will create a pleasant atmosphere for learning. Students will continue to be attentive in class and will look forward to being in school. This will not only give a positive effect to your students but to yourself as well. It will be easier for you to tackle a stressful teaching life because of the happy disposition brought about by your good sense of humor.

Have an optimistic outlook

Having an optimistic outlook is a plus for you. Your profession may bring about problems and difficulties along the way. Nevertheless, you will surely be able to deal with them triumphantly because you are equipped with the right attribute: a positive attitude.

Set a high standard

High standards and expectations will boost the achievement capacity level of your students. When you increase the yardstick of your expectations, your students will give more of their efforts, too. This will give them the right attitude towards their studies and will give them the confidence they need, too. Just make sure you do not make you expectations and standards unattainable.

Prove that you are a consistent teacher

To be able to establish a good classroom environment that will aid students in learning, you must be able to deliver a clear and sound set of rules. Let your students know what they can expect from you every time you meet for class.

Treat all students fairly

It is so easy for students to notice it when a teacher is being unfair. Treating students unfairly is not an option. It is required and expected that you treat every student fairly at all times.

Be flexible

One of the principles of teaching is to be able to adjust to continuous change. Distractions and disturbances are likely to occur in between normal days. Thus, a flexible teacher will remain calm and in control when these things happen. He will even continue to have zest for the rest of the day.

Manila Bulletin - Sunday, February 6

I LEARNED TO BE CONTENT

... for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:11

It's too hard to understand Paul's words unless I have undergone a situation wherein my comfort zone will be shaken. Paul, while being denied every comfort, wrote this verse from a dark prison cell.

God promised me that He knows me long before my mother conceived me and His plans are already done. He knows my future very well. That's why whatever circumstances I encounter, whether it is good or not I must give thanks and praise His goodness in my life.

I should not complain if things go wrong. For I know there is a purpose for it's existence. Whatever I receive from Him I should be thankful and use it for His glory.

His will becomes my will, and I will enjoy every moment of my life with Him to the fullest.

HE WANTS WHAT'S BEST FOR ME

I have many plans and desires within my heart, but sadly, I found myself struggling to get those things. Most of the time I found myself trying so hard to get them to the extent that I exert to much effort, but at the end i felt so tired and it only cause me so much pain.

Yes, I always pray, asking God's will to rule in my life, but my self-centeredness succumbs me. I thought praying for what I want is enough to get what I want. But God showed me that I was wrong. He taught me that I should not focus on my own desires but I must learn to weight those desires if it is according to His will. He wants what's BEST for me. All I need to do is to submit myself to Him making His plans for me as my own and personal blueprint for my life.

My life on earth is just like a mist, it appears for a while then vanishes. But, how I use the short time I have matters most. I must stop indulging to my selfish desires. I need His wisdom to discern what's right and make decisions and choices well allowing His perfect will prevail.

WHOM SHOULD YOU MARRY?

"A good partner can make or break your life..."

In ancient times women are often viewed as men's property, good for bearing children, prepare foods and all the needs of her husband and not much more.

The Book of Proverbs addressed to young men approaching the age of marriage, takes a different view. It holds up marriage as a crucial choice, to be made with great care.

A good wife (or husband, we can assume) will make or break her partner's life. Her duties lay the foundation for her family's welfare. She shares with their husband the most significant task of teaching their children the way of wisdom. Therefore, her character matters far more than her physical beauty. (Proverbs 31:10-31)

Not that the Bible ignores the physical side of love. It urges marriage partners to rejoice in their love, to be captivated by it. It warns young people against sexual sin precisely because this waste sexuality on unsatisfying, unloving relationship. That's why sex ought to be saved for the long-lasting, productive joy of marriage.

"Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."- Proverbs 21:9

Lessons I've Learned about Friendship

I've learned that God sends friends
When we NEED them the most
and every friend has a SPECIAL purpose
in our lives.

I've learned that we often find new friends
in UNEXPECTED places.

I've learned that despite the DISTANCE between us,
a real friendship grows ACROSS the miles.

I've learned that though we sometimes expect
someone to kick us down,
A TRUE friend helps us STAND back up.

I've learned that we should not wait to express
our APPRECIATION for our friend ---
If we do, it will be too late.

I've learned that we should be OPEN to a friend's view,
As two people can look at the same thing
and see something different.

I've learned that we should not judge our friends,
But RESPECT their way of life,
Even if we disagree with it.

I've learned that we should not only take time
to talk to our friends,
But we should also LISTEN and TRY to understand.
If we can't understand, we should ACCEPT.

I've learned that our friends should always TAKE
something GOOD away with them,
Each time they cross our path.

I've learned that friends sometimes
hurt us UNINTENTIONALLY,
But we should FORGET and FORGIVE.

I've learned that friends CHANGE over time,
and that such change should be welcomed,
as its necessary for growth.

I've learned that friends sometimes need
TIME and SPACE, and we should be
THOUGHTFUL and UNDERSTANDING
of their needs.

I've learned that you should treat a friend
KINDLY today, for the people we love most are
often taken away from us too soon.

I've learned that FRIENDSHIP is a
CANDLE that lights our way,
And though it flickers against the
wind of TIME, DISTANCE and CHANGE;
It's beauty ENDURES and SHINES FOREVER
in our HEARTS!!!

TO MY SWEET FRIEND

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. - Proverbs 17:17

Once I sat and thought of what is a FRIEND to ME???
And I came to a Conclusion which I would like to share it with
My Dear Friend.
And that is you.

It is BY CHANCE we met,
BY CHOICE we became Friends...

Friendship is a strange thing...
We find ourselves
telling each other the details of our lives...
Things we don't even share with our
families who raised us...

But What is a FRIEND???
A Confidant?
A Lover?
A Fellow email junkie?
A Shoulder to cry on?
An Ear to listen?
A Heart to feel?
A Prayer Partner...

A Friend is all these things and more.
No matter where we met,
No matter where you are, I'm here
praying for you.
I call you Friend...

A word so small...
Yet soo large in feeling
A word filled with emotion.
It is true great things
come in small packages.

Once the package of FRIENDSHIP has been opened,
it can never be closed...
It is a constant book always written...
Waiting to be read and enjoyed.

We may have our disagreements...we may argue
We may have some concerns on one another...
FRIENDSHIP is a unique bond that lasts through it all...

A part of me is put into my friends...
Some it is my humor...Some it is my listening ear...
Some it is real life experiences...Some it is my romanticism...
but with all, it is friendship.

Friendships forged are a construct stronger than steel build as a foundation...
Necessary for LIFE, and Necessary for LOVE, service for the LORD.

Friend...
You and Me
We started our circle of friendship...
And like that circle there is no beginning, no end.

We have been friends for just a short and lovely time, but our friendship cannot just be measured just by length of time we've known each other...

Thanks for being a VERY GOOD FRIEND
This may be a dramatic message...
But I just want to tell you...how our friendship means to me...

THANKS MY SWEET FRIEND!!!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

The Wife of Noble Character

Proverbs 31:10-31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

A Timely Reminder for this upcoming Election

"When there is a lack of honor in government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned. There is no such thing as a no-man's land between honesty and dishonesty. Our strength lies in spiritual concepts. It lies in public sensitiveness to evil. Our greatest danger is not from invasion by foreign armies. Our dangers are that we may commit suicide from within by complaisance with evil, or by public tolerance of scandalous behavior." - President Herbert Hoover

My Dear God

Dear God,

I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked you a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorns. I have always looked forward to the place where I will be rewarded for my cross, but I have never thought of my cross as a present glory itself.

Teach me, O Lord, to glory in my cross. Teach me to value of my thorns. Show me how I have climbed to You through the path of pain. Show me it is through my tears I have seen my rainbows...

Nell c",)

Trusting the IMPOSSIBLE

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." - 2 Chronicles 20:12

Living a life of faith often requires us to leave things alone. God taught me that if I have completely entrusted something to HIM, I must keep my hands off it. He can guard it better than I can, and He doesn't need my help. (Ps. 37:7)

I've discovered that there is no burden so heavy that when lifted cheerfully will not become a blessing to me. To REFUSE to bend my shoulders to carry a load, is to miss a new opportunity for growth. (Is. 40:71) No matter how overwhelming any burden God has lovingly placed with His own hands on my shoulders it will be a blessing.

Trusting even when it appears I have been forsaken, praying when it seems my words are simply entering a vast expanse where no one hears and no voice answers; believing that God's love is complete and that HE is aware of my circumstances even my world seems to grind on; desiring only what God's hand have planned for me and waiting patiently while seemingly starving to death - that is genuine FAITH.

In the end, I've learned that He knows the way I take, when HE tested me, I will come forth as gold - I'm more than a CONQUEROR.

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!! MBR

You've Stolen and Captured my heart...

For three centuries I kept my heart sealed with all cost,
After a Dark Warlock plundered it and shattered it into pieces,
Each piece are scattered all over the earth.

Thank God, Mother Gaea helped me find the broken pieces,
And with the help of Hygeia, the goddess of healing,
I managed to put all the pieces together.

From that moment I swear I would guard my heart,
'Coz my HEART is my LIFE,
I shield, enclose and seal it, deep within my cavern.

But how! Oh Great Wizard!
How did you manage to take it away,
what spell did you cast on me that you manage to capture it?

You're so powerful and invincible,

Cast a spell on me that’s irreversible that only you could break.
You enchanted me, and make me long for you more and more each day.

I searched for a cure – in every corners of the earth
I found out that I could only find it in your region,
It’s a mighty KISS that only you could give...

How could I ever find you?
Is there a possibility that our roads will cross?
Or you'll invite me in your dwelling...

I'm waiting for your reply
Oh My Dear Wizard
You've stolen and captured my heart...

Become a MOST VALUABLE WORKER

In BASKETBALL, they have what they call "Most Valuable Player" or MVP. He's usually the highest scorer, the best team player, the player who most often makes the team win, thus bringing glory to the company he's playing for.

If your workplace could award a "Most Valuable Worker" yearly, would you win it? Would you like to? You or the place you work probably have an idea of the qualities one ought to have to be called a Most Valuable Worker (or MVW), but there is one very, very simple rule to observe for you to become one: Work twice as much as you're getting paid for.

Before you howl! "Unfair! Unfair!" and grumble that this is wrong or unjust for you and your family, and then, fear that this would only make you open to exploitation, see this rule as premium opportunity to prove your worth in the place you work.

Do you know why there are so many discontented employees around? Employees who endlessly complain about being underpaid, not earning enough for their needs, never being able to make both ends meet, etc? They are perennial complainers because they do not know the secret of investing in their work. They do not know that by doing only as much work as they are being paid for, they are condemning themselves to failure and a lifetime of fruitless hard labor.

Whereas if they worked twice as much, they would actually be paving the road to their success and prosperity. This marvelous rule applies to all who work for a living, whether designing condominiums or selling cell phones. If you pour twice as much of yourself into your job as your workplace expects of you, the pattern of your working life changes and you create an opening for miracles to take place.

Do not be affected if your coworkers mock you, calling you martir or sipsip out to win pogi points. If they're too selfish to give more than they're paid for, that's their problem, not yours. Just follow the rule cheerfully, knowing it will work.

Working twice as hard simply means being more enthusiastic about whatever you are doing - being more cheerful around everybody, caring more for the the place you work, being more patient about things you can't change while trusting that they will improve in due time - and taking the opportunity to develop and exercise new skills, never doubting the good it can do for you and for everyone else.

Do you know why the rule "Work twice as much as you're getting paid for" is effective? Because it is giving, and giving is investing your faith in the Endless Source of all good. You cannot outdo this Endless Source in generosity - if you give it a handful of papaya seeds, it gives you back a hectare of papaya trees. Knowing and observing that rule in the workplace makes you an extremely valuable worker.

The thing is, just keep on doing it, giving cheerfully. It will not work if you give and then wait for rewards - just give because it is good to give, and then forget about it. And when you are commended for the good work, pass on the credit to the Endless Source from whom your power to work and to give comes in the first place.

There are two kinds of people who are bound for failure and misery in the workplace: those who do not do what they are told to do, and those who won't do more than what they're told to do. Let's hope you are not one of them.

Ask any happy achiever how he found the road to fulfillment and he will say, "Work twice as much as you're getting paid for." This rule is not a silly sacrifice - it is your just and rightful way of claiming the bounty that life has in store for you. Why wait till next week to become a MOST VALUABLE WORKER? Begin RIGHT NOW!

SORROW: Good for the HEART?

"Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better." - Ecclesiastes 7:3

Sometimes, I asked the Lord - "Why do He allow sorrow in our hearts?" and "Why do He allow storms that led to painful experiences to the extent that laughter is too hard to find?"

But, as I read Eccl. 7:3, and as I meditate my past experiences, I found the purpose why do we need to be broken. I've discovered that sorrow reveals unknown capacities, attitudes and motives in our hearts. It reveals our true self and leads us to take time to think deeply and seriously, and search for the Lord's will and plan in our life.

Most of the time, we never do those things when we are lighthearted - we're too consumed and busy doing our personal stuffs. But, God wants to plow our hearts and He can only do that by breaking us completely.

It takes sorrow to expand and deepen our soul - it has the power to reveal ourselves and shows that we need to depend on our Lord to strengthen us in order to fulfill His purpose in our lives.

Sometimes, God is too hard or should I say too difficult to understand. But can we really comprehend His doings? At the end, we will only find out that what He said is true, that "His THOUGHTS are not our thoughts, and His WAYS are not are ways" so its impossible for us to understand.

The power of God's love is beyond the power of words to express. He can do wonders never before done if He wants to, but yet the sorrows and His silence during those times will teach us more lessons and will allow our relationship grow deeper.

WHAT YOU ARE TO ME

A quick glance,
A tender smile,
I am caught in a spell,
A gentle touch - a warm embrace,
I know that all to well.

A small voice, an unspoken love
Across the way I see
A kind face, an inner beauty
That's what you are to me.

Life gives us many blessings,
But there are only few that can compare
To the joy I have
Knowing you.

I can't really think
Of what else I want to say -
Just know I'm thinking of you
And I hope you have a lovely day!

WHY NOT NOW???

God is our refuge and strength, and an ever-present help in trouble.

- Ps. 46:1

God does not act on our schedule. He has His own timing and exact date on where, why, or how He will act on our experiences. Most of us complain - "Why didn't God help me sooner? - when and after things are resolved and situation turns again into normal situation. But God has a reason for His delays. He desires to change us through the trouble and cause us to learn a lesson from it.

God has promised, "I will be with you" IN TROUBLE, I will deliver you and honor you.

God uses trouble to teach His children precious lesson. Difficulties are intended to educate us, when their good work is done, a glorious reward will become ours through them. There is a sweet joy and real value in difficulties, for He regards them not difficulties, but as OPPORTUNITIES.

When God tests you, it is a good time to test Him by putting His promises to the test and then claiming from Him exactly what your trials have made nececessary.

There are two ways of getting out of trial (which one do you always apply):

1. Try to get rid of the trial, and then be thankful when it is over.

2. Recognize the trial as a challenge from God to claim the larger blessing than we have ever before experienced, and to accept it with delight as an opportunity of receiving a greater measure of God's divine grace.

Adversary comes a help to us, and all the things that seem to be against us turn to assist us along the way.

MAN OF STEEL

In order to know the durability of a steel, a master craftsman test different piece to know their limit and measured their breaking point. Some pieces are twisted until they broke, some are stretched, others are compressed and then labeled with the level of pressure they could withstand. Because of the testing, the master knew exactly how much stress and strain each piece of steel could endure if it was used to build a ship, building or bridge.

God do the same to HIS children. He does not want us to be like fragile glass or porcelain, but HE wants us to be like the toughed steel, able to endure twisting and crushing pressure to utmost without collapse. Yet, to accomplish this, HE must take us into the testing room of suffering. He puts us into HIS crucible of affliction to test the purity of our gold and to separate the dross from the metal.

"It is better to weather the storm with Christ than to sail smooth waters without HIM."

I thank God for everything that happens in my life. Whether good or bad, smooth or rough, whatever it may be ---- they are all parts of HIS plan in me. Everything that happens, He provided and allowed for my growth. May HE grant me a teachable heart so that I will not miss any lesson HE's teaching me. May HE sustain me with the strength that I needed in order to overcome all the test that I will face and encounter.

I know that, I will still pass a lot of rough roads. But, I will be in peace, for I know HE is with me. I will always hold unto HIS love and promises. May I become a good steward and a good servant. I'm excited to hear HIS voice telling me "Well done, good and faithful servant!"