"Will You Be Alright?" My Mom Says... (A Mother's Day Note)

 Its a very good piece and I want you all to be able to read it. Happy Mother's Day!!!

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by Aldous Irving Jimenez-Echegoyen on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 7:12pm 

God does work in a mysterious way, and sometimes unexpected. It may be in the most unusual way but He does work.
I heard a sermon a long time ago that really sinked in my heart till now. The message was all about “being patient” and “waiting on the Lord”.

I know I had a series of sermon on this too – that was years ago I think – where I talked about “Living a Stress-free Life”. In these hard times these words in the Bible are just so relevant. The preacher quoted, “If you can change the circumstances, then there is really nothing to worry about; if you cannot control the circumstances, then it is useless to worry”. That was so right!

Why would I worry about something that I can change? If I am in debt then I can just work it out and be out of debt. If I do not have a job then all I have to do is find a job. If someone has a bad attitude then I can just help him change.

The only thing that makes men worry about the things he can change is ‘time’ – it takes time to be out of debt…it takes time to find a job…it takes time to change an attitude – ‘time’ makes people worry because we are not naturally patient about the course of time.

This is where the second part comes in: “If you cannot control the circumstances, then it is useless to worry”. I cannot control time so it is useless to worry. When Christ was on a boat with His disciples and there was a storm, He was asleep and His disciples were so worried that they might sink. There are just two things they missed here: 1] They cannot control the weather 2]they have Christ in the boat with them WHO can ‘control’ the weather.

My mother has always been a good example of a faithful Christian. She died September 9, 1999 because of cancer. When she learned that she has cancer, she knew there was not enough time for her. She knew that cancer is something that even doctors don’t have control of. She was advised by her oncologist to stay in an air-conditioned room and isolate herself so that she will not get sick easily. She thought cancer may imprison her in an isolated room or she can just trust everything to God. She chose the latter and the next thing I know she was already going around churches and making short speeches. In spite of her weak body she would speak in front of a congregation with her faint voice, inspiring others in the remaining time of her life.

My mother, having a close relationship with God, knows in her heart that even if she doesn’t have enough time, time is something only God can control. So what she did was trust the One who controls time. One of her favorite verse was Romans 8:28 “And He will cause all things together to work out for good for those who love God”. She knows this by heart and by experience. She trusted this verse and indeed God has placed all the negative things in her life altogether so that people may be inspired and will have a closer walk with God.

If you think cancer was the only unpleasant thing in her life, you are wrong.  I can only say that at that time she is looking at a family that is broken.  I myself has not been a good son to her.  She found out that I have been a drug addict for 2 years plus add the atrocity that she experienced with her family...things that are just to shameful to mention here.  Add all of these plus her illness now tell me if my mom doesn’t deserve to be called a martyr?

A month before she died, I can still remember, she called me and asked me, “Will you be alright?” She was pertaining to all of us – are we all gonna be alright when she’s gone? My heart was pricked but I have to answer her – I need to assure her. I replied, “Yes, we’re all gonna be alright”. From then on, she knows that even if I was doubtful in my reply, she never doubted God’s provision. She had a good sleep that night.

My mom never saw that we are alright but I know she trusted God about it. She never saw me being a preacher or have my own beautiful family. She never saw her beautiful grandchildren. She never saw all her prayers for us answered but I know she had confidence in God that He will take care of us.  She died peacefully at exactly 6:01 in the morning of September 9, 1999 and we were alright.

During hard times and at times when people around me seems to be against me, I would hear my mom’s voice asking me “Will you be alright?” and I know I will be because I trust in the same God she trusted. The God who is Jehovah Jireh – God will provide!

PRAISE GOD FOR MOTHERS LIKE YOU!!  HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!!

7 WAYS TO DEFUSE A DIFFICULT ENCOUNTER

This is something I saw while browsing Facebook. I found this sa wall ni Dianne Jean N. Bacong.  Isa sya sa mga clasmeyt  ko way back in college. Her course was Psychology - one of my favorite subject when I was still studying... and until now actually. I am posting this because I find it helpful and worth digesting. I think I will categorize this under "life advise."

PANITIKAN IN MOTION is all about the world around everyone. Kuwento ito ng buhay ko at ng buhay mo. I would continue to post here stuff that will appeal to me... hopefully you would share the same thoughts pagkatapos mong basahin at intindihin ang content.

READ ON and ENJOY. DIGEST. ABSORB. I hope you'll also find it worthwhile. 

7 WAYS TO DEFUSE A DIFFICULT ENCOUNTER

1. Minimize time with problem people. Keep interactions as short as possible.

2. Keep it logical. Communications should be fact-based with minimal details. Don't try to connect and reason with difficult people. Their response will often only make you more upset.

3. Focus on them in conversation. One way to avoid being the target of demeaning comments, manipulation, or having your words twisted is to say as little as possible. They are a far safer subject of conversation than you are.

4. Give up the dream that they will one day be the person you wish them to be. There are people in our lives who have moments when they seem to be theparent/partner/spouse/friend/whatever we've always wanted. Yet they end up disappointing or hurting us. Accepting the person as is can be a remarkable relief.

5. Avoid topics that get you into trouble. Before any interaction with a difficult person, mentally review the topics that invite attack and make an effort to avoid them. If your in-laws always demean your choice of career, change the topic immediately if they ask how your work is going.

6. Don't try to get them to see your point of view. Don't try to explain yourself or get them to empathize with you.They won't. And you'll just feel worse for trying.

7. Create a distraction. Play with a pet if there is one handy. Plan the interaction around some kind of recreational activity or entertainment. Or get the other person to do something that absorbs their attention (taking it off you). Just don't use alcohol as your distraction of choice. It will only make you more likely to say or do something that will set you up as a target or make you feel bad later.