Karaniwan na yung pagrereflect, pagbabalik-tanaw, at pananalanging puno ng pag-asa kapag nagsasara ang current year at papabukas ang panibagong taon. Pero kahit na parang ang common na o ang corny na nga kung iisipin minsan, doing these practices can still be somehow helpful for me to properly process things inside my head which is essential for me to be able to get around and move along with my sanity still intact.

At first, I thought ayoko na sanang maglista ng mga highlights ng 2020 ko kasi… well, tinatamad ako. Char! But being more aware of how faithful God has been to me and to my family every year, particularly this year of 2020, urges me to reflect and to record and share these blessings and lessons which God abundantly provided.

I Do Not Mean to Brag, But I Mean to Be Grateful.

Despite not being together physically, I can’t thank God enough para sa bawat araw na buhay, in good health, at maayos ang kalagayan ng pamilya ko na mayroon ng kung ano ang sapat, at lumalago rin spiritually as an individual and as a family.

Nitong 2020, may lumisan man na kaanak, may dumating din na bagong miyembro ng pamilya. May mga hindi man nakasamang mga kaibigan, may mga taong nakausap namang muli kahit virtual lang.

Ang isa pa naming ipinagpapasalamat, ilang taon na naming pinlano at pinaghandaan na magpagawa ng bagong bahay dahil masyado nang maraming kailangang ayusin at i-upgrade do’n sa bahay naming itinayo pa noong 1930s.

No’ng magsimula ang pandemic at ang lockdown around March, saktong kalilipat lang ng tatay at mga kapatid ko doon sa bakanteng bahay ng tita ko sa kabilang barangay bago sana simulan ang demolition (ng lumang bahay) at ang construction (ng panibago).

At that point, we thought about postponing the construction for another year. But we also figured na mas lalong tataas ang presyo ng everything kapag mas lalo pang dinelay, so we pushed through last September. And so far, hindi pa tapos ang bahay at hindi pa rin kumpleto ang funds, but with God’s grace, we continue to do what is ours to do and we leave the rest to the Lord.

Thank you, Lord for carrying us through the whole year! HInding-hindi ko gugustuhing makalimutan kung gaano Ka ka-faithful at ka-generous sa amin at hindi ko rin ititigil ang pagpapasalamat.

I Am Still Learning My Way Around, But I Will Pay It Forward

I am still in the process of discerning on how I can serve more in love and joy like what the Lord has been telling me to do, but I am determined to ‘pay it forward’ using the gifts and the opportunities that He has given and continues to give me for His purpose to His people.

During the pandemic, the Lord has given us many opportunities to be generous. There have been fundraising drives and organizations accepting donations and friends selling products online.

Even though my mom had to leave her job for an indefinite period due to being at high risk of getting infected, we are so blessed that I still have a job and am able to work from home. With what the Lord has been providing us, He has also been teaching us that we are and should still be able to help in any way possible.

The Challenge and Invitation to Us Now and Going Forward…

Towards the end of 2020, my desire to pour my heart, soul, and life for God’s purpose and service has been growing and I have been receiving the prompt to take courage and be a channel of His grace. I wonder how I could reflect His peace and joy and deliver His hope in my daily living…

In the recent homilies and talks that I listened to and in the articles and e-mails that I read, it’s like God is telling me that being present in the moment, becoming more like Jesus in mind, heart, and action, and responding accordingly to the needs or the situation at hand are some of the ways we can make others feel that Jesus—the God incarnate—is with us and that we are working and living for Him, inviting them that they can also come to Him.

And while I have an unwritten list of matters that I am hoping to get accomplished for this coming year of 2021, I want to surrender to God and entrust myself, my loved ones, and all my plans and goals to His hands while living with gratitude, generosity, courage, and hope.

And that is my so-called ‘New Year’s Resolution’. 😁

Photo sources: Pixabay