Forward: Ruth's Story

Ruth went to her mailbox and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, found that there was no stamp, no postmark, and only her name and address. The letter read:

Dear Ruth,

I'm going to be in your neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. I'd like to drop by for a visit.

Love Always,

Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table, "Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer."

With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets, she reached into her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door.

A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk left Ruth with a grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home with her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Ruth was so absorbed with her dinner plans that she barely noticed the two figures huddled in the alleyway outside the grocers. A man and a woman, both dressed in little more than rags.

"Look lady, I ain't got no job and my wife and I've been living out here on the streets, see, and well, it's getting cold and we're kinda hungry. If you could help us, we'd appreciate it."

Ruth looked at them; they were dirty, smelly and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. "Sir, I'd really like to help, but I'm a poor woman myself, all I have are a few cold cuts and some bread, and I have an important guest for dinner tonight..."

The couple nodded their heads sadly, "Yeah, well, ok lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man said, as he placed his arm around his wife's shoulders.

But as Ruth watched them leave, she felt a familiar twinge in her heart, "Sir, wait!" she called out. The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them.

"Why don't you take this food, I'll figure out something to serve my guest." handing the man her grocery bag.

"Thanks lady! Thanks a lot!" The man exclaimed with a toothless grin.

"Yes, thank you." His wife added, and Ruth could now see that the woman was shivering.

"You know, I have another coat at home. Here, take this one." Ruth slipped out of her jacket and handed it to the woman. Then, smiling, she turned and walked back home, without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.

Ruth was freezing by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she ad nothing to offer him. As she fumbled through her purse for her keys, she noticed another envelope sticking out of her mailbox. "That's odd," she said, "the mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day."

Dear Ruth,

It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.

Love Always,

Jesus

The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.

Insane Thoughts

Merriam-Webster's (online) dictionary defines insanity as

something utterly foolish or unreasonable

. A friend of mine and I had a nice chata regarding crazy people, and our discussion ended with both of us somehow thinking that there are no absolutely sane persons in the world. True, there are those who are without a doubt in need of therapy or medication, but then there are those who just have their own bouts with insanity. Can any person really claim soundness of mind or a healthy mindset at all times? Hmmm.

II CORINTHIANS 5:7

FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT

Lord, though I may not see You, You are indeed present.
For it is up to me to acknowledge Your presence.

Lord, though I may not see You, You are indeed with me.
There are times Lord that I feel so alone, without my family around, I feel lonely even though I am surrounded by so many people. However, it is up to me to recognize and see You in the people around me.

Lord, though I may not see You, You are holding me in the palm of Your hand.
Lord, I dont understand the things that are happening in my life. I dont understand the reason for the pain that I feel. But it is not up to me to understand, rather, it is up to me to accept Your will. And it is up to me to have faith in Your greatness, for you are a Just and Merciful God, and You shall not allow harm to come to your faithful servants.

Vows

Sometimes, you just get fed up with it all. Sigh. When will "I love you" be enough?

Faith answers this question!

Believing that the vows I took where not made in vain and having God as the center of our married life is vital. It's what keeps the marriage up, no matter how hard the winds of trouble blow.

I love my family, my child, and my husband. The vows I took where not just words uttered in the heat of the moment. Nosireebob. I had prayed to God and asked him if my decisions were right. Besides, not everything that's right and good easy to attain. And marriage is like that. It's lived on earth - and as humans are, we make a muck of things by being inconsistent at times.

But it is in God that I trust. It is to Him that we made our vows. And it is through Him, that we shall prevail.

Happy thoughts... Happy thoughts...

Ok, breathe...

After that unfortunate incident (re: fire). I couldn't sleep. I could barely eat (well, ok, that's a good thing, considering how FAT I've become). And I couldn't enjoy my leave.

Or so I thought.

Thursday afternoon, my daughter Meg did the cutest thing. She turned on her side and was lying on her stomach! This was the first time she did it! I was so excited I took a picture! (can't post it just yet, my cable's crappy).

Oooh, and the best part was when Marlon got home, I was telling him about it and she did it again (the little show off!)

Even though Marlon and I are facing so many problems right now, I'm still thankful that God has blessed us with a wonderful daughter. Meg is my inspiration. And even if I have to work 2 jobs, I will, just to be able to provide for my darling angel.

Oh for crying out loud!

Last Thursday, I filed for an emergency leave to take care of Meg. We were sleeping soundly (enough) when we were suddenly woken up by noise outside the house. There was a fire! Marlon got up and checked it out, I only peeked because I couldnt leave Meg alone. But by the sound of it, it was huge!

True enough, Marlon gave me the details - the entire market place was burning! The fire was blazing and it was eating up the market! Sheesh! That was unbelievable!

Why unbelievable? Because a few doors down from the market was the Fire Station. Why was the market place burning then?

Because the frigging fire station didnt have any water, that's why! Pathetic!!!

Responding fire stations came from QC, Parañaque, Pasay, and the like. Our fire station, fire trucks, and fire men couldnt do a damn thing.

The word in the street is that the fire wasnt an accident. Oh heck, even if it were, the place would have still burned down because our fire station doesnt have any water.

Think its unbelievable. Say it's stupid. Be outraged.

Shoots. That's exactly how I feel.

Wedding Bells

Our wedding last December 28, 2004. It was held at St. Joseph's Church (a.k.a Bamboo Organ) in Las Piñas City.

God isn't done with me yet.

The napkin is folded. God isn't done with me yet.

In yesterday's Gospel, our priest said that when Christ's apostle visited his tomb, the cloth or napkin covering Christ's face was found neatly folded.

Our priest said that it is Jewish tradition for a master to crumple his napkin after finishing his meal. (Supposedly as a sign for the servants to know that he has finished eating).

In relation to the Gospel, Christ's napkin being neatly folded meant that He isn't finished with us yet.

How many times do we think that our God has abandoned us? How many times do we think that we are alone in this world? How many times have our pain, suffering, and burdens broken our backs and our wills?

God isn't done with me yet. He is risen and alive. He has not forgotten me, for why would He, after saving me from my sin and destruction?

Today is Easter Monday. Thank you Lord for saving and giving life to your humble servant.

Passion

Someone asked Jesus, "How much do you love me?"
Jesus replied,"I love you this much." and he stretched his arms to the cross and died for us.

During this Holy Week (and thereafter), let us remember that Christ's passion and suffering on the cross is not simply a symbol of our faith, but an act of love to save us from our selves.