A few days after my mom and I talked
about the letter I wrote during the Famcon activity, the next news from
home was that of my father being admitted to the hospital due to a mild
stroke.
I wondered how could I go so fast from being high on connecting with my mom about the community I am currently in, to being low in spirit and saddened at the news of my father being hospitalized.
To be quite honest, I wasn't able to see the reason behind such 'challenge' but during the second Misyong Pilipino mass I was given the assurance, comfort and answers I needed.
For the homily, Father Arlo said that:
"everything that happens in our lives, be it pleasant or unpleasant is a gift from God (hulog ng langit na biyaya ng diyos) and alongside it comes opportunity - and it is up to us to recognize that opportunity and grab it and hold on to it"
Again I was struck at the direct yet subtle way the Lord answered my questions.
I realized that my father being hospitalized was a grace from God.
It was such a blessing that my father was given a second lease in life with nothing more than just a change of lifestyle to bear with, and this I see as an opportunity - opportunity for him to finally turn his back on smoking and drinking and embrace healthy and clean living.
It was an opportunity for us as a family to bond and develop even closer ties.
As we were supposed to go home to the Philippines for vacation in few days time, I saw it as an opportunity to spend more time and take care of my dad. I usually always contact and go out with my friends, former classmates and colleagues almost everyday leaving me less time to spend with my family but this time I decided to just relax, stay home and bond with my parents by cooking and sharing my special recipes with them.
I felt lighter coming out of the church and I immediately send a message to my mom relaying the message I had received. She was tired, lacked sleep and felt lonely without us to assist them in this trying time - I told her to hang on and just pray. I urged my mom to look at the brighter side of the episode, focus on the positive, take it as a blessing and seize the opportunity to spend time with my dad.
My dad is alive and well and for all of this may God be praised!!!
For the homily, Father Arlo said that:
"everything that happens in our lives, be it pleasant or unpleasant is a gift from God (hulog ng langit na biyaya ng diyos) and alongside it comes opportunity - and it is up to us to recognize that opportunity and grab it and hold on to it"
Again I was struck at the direct yet subtle way the Lord answered my questions.
I realized that my father being hospitalized was a grace from God.
It was such a blessing that my father was given a second lease in life with nothing more than just a change of lifestyle to bear with, and this I see as an opportunity - opportunity for him to finally turn his back on smoking and drinking and embrace healthy and clean living.
It was an opportunity for us as a family to bond and develop even closer ties.
As we were supposed to go home to the Philippines for vacation in few days time, I saw it as an opportunity to spend more time and take care of my dad. I usually always contact and go out with my friends, former classmates and colleagues almost everyday leaving me less time to spend with my family but this time I decided to just relax, stay home and bond with my parents by cooking and sharing my special recipes with them.
I felt lighter coming out of the church and I immediately send a message to my mom relaying the message I had received. She was tired, lacked sleep and felt lonely without us to assist them in this trying time - I told her to hang on and just pray. I urged my mom to look at the brighter side of the episode, focus on the positive, take it as a blessing and seize the opportunity to spend time with my dad.
My dad is alive and well and for all of this may God be praised!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment