Was God Being Ridiculous?

I was in the car one sunday when I read the story of Abraham and Sarah. I loved their story. It’s something I can always remember during times I want to control some parts of my life, say for example my love life. 

I have been single for quite a while now, and of course I am hoping to one day marry. I’m asking God not for a perfect partner, but someone perfect for me. Someone who will make me realize more how much love God can provide His children. Someone who’s gonna inspire me to do more, achieve more, and give more all for God’s glory. Someone who’s gonna bring out the best version of myself. 

So here’s the story. Sarah couldn’t bear Abraham a child so she gave her slave Hagar for Abraham to sleep with. Hagar became pregnant eventually. Sarah was devastated. She was unhappy. She thought she would be happy, but she wasn’t. She despised Hagar, mistreated her, so Hagar left (Genesis 16:1-6).

Hagar was found by an angel near a spring by the desert.The angel told her that she should come back to Sarah. Her son would be named Ishmael. Abraham was eighty-six when Hagar bore him Ishmael. 

One thing I loved about the side of Hagar’s story was when she said “You are the God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)  Isn’t that a wonderful thing, when you are assured that God sees you?  He sees you, and He cares. 

Let’s get back to Sarah. She took things in her own hands instead of waiting on God’s timing. In Genesis 17:16,17, God said that He will bless Sarah and will surely give Abraham a son by her. Abraham laughed and said to himself “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” 

God said yes, and that they are to name their child Isaac. When Sarah knew about this, she laughed to herself thinking “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:12)

Sarah knew about this during the visit of three visitors at Abraham’s place. So one of them asked why Sarah laughed and said “Will I really have a child, now that I am old?” So one of them said “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)

That is another fact I loved about this story. The fact that one of the visitors actually questioned Sarah why she laughed, and retorted with “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” I think it’s one of the best responses we can give our problems pestering us. I love it. You don’t have a boyfriend, and you fear you have no one to marry someday, no one to take care of you, oh come on girl, is anything too hard for the Lord? I love it; next time, this is what I’m gonna tell my friends who need advice. Our problems, doubts and fears may be answered with a question: Is anything too hard for the Lord?

So in time, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. She said in Genesis 21:6, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh at me.” 

God stayed true to His promise of giving Abraham and Sarah a child. Only in His perfect time, did He gave Sarah the privilege of becoming a mother to Isaac. Guess what Isaac means? It means “he laughs.”

So tell me, with this wonderful story full of lessons, was God being ridiculous? 

An Open Letter to All Nurses:

As a nurse, I often think of ways to inspire and motivate myself. Nursing is a tiring job, it saps out energy from you. And while you're too busy making sure your patients receive their medicines on time, or your pediatric patients get to have their diapers changed or their tantrums managed well, you realize you're missing out on your social life. Granted that our job is draining, albeit noble, to some nurses whose workplaces are less friendly, soon begin to ask why on earth had they chosen to become a nurse.

Do you know I remind myself of this Bible text whenever I go on duty? It's found in Hebrews 13:2, it says "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Come to think of it, how awesome is that? I'd like to always do good and cause no harm to my patients because whether they are angels in all sense of the word, or not, I am a nurse, and I am someone they NEED.

With this in mind, I conclude that nurses are a form of heroes. In fact, when I was in college, the nurses refer to us student nurses as "angels," because of the things we do to ease up the workload. In the same way as professional nurses, we are heroes or angels to both the doctors and the patients. We make everything so much easier.

And while we make things easier for them, which is rewarding by the way, we can't ignore the fact that we also are humans whose immune systems get compromised and eventually get sick too. So here's an inspiring verse from 2 Chronicles 15:7, to keep you striving to become healthier and stronger; "But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded." Positive reinforcement, guys, "your work shall be rewarded..." Isn't that something to look forward to? Also in Hebrews 6:10, it says  "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."

"Our labor in the Lord is not in vain," (1 Corinthians 15:58).  Keep that in mind and you'll stay focused in doing the job effectively and efficiently so that others will be blessed, and their hearts will be praising God! Remember Proverbs 31:13 "...works with willing hands," this is a quality we all should possess as nurses, because we're not talking about computers or money here, this is LIFE we deal with every single day, lives of our patients and their families who love and care for them. This is crucial. Believe that we are nurses for a reason. Believe that "It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure," (Psalm 18:32). And the senses that we use in our assessment? Proverbs 20:12 says "The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them." We are blessed to have clinical eyes to recognize any anomalies, or to acknowledge a patient's way to recovery. We are privileged that we are nurses. Motivate yourself into thinking that "we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do," (Ephesians 2:10).

And to fulfill the commandment found in John 15:12 which says "Love each other as I have loved you," we nurses should commit to our work and bear in mind "that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus," (Philippians 1:6). So no matter how difficult nursing can be, always put yourselves in your patients' shoes, and be the nurse you would want yourself to have in case you get sick and become a patient. Proverbs 3:27 says "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." Make plans to alleviate your patients' pain, talk to them, assure them of the best that you can do to help them feel better. Be the nurse that they will thank God for. We are God's extended hand, and always remember to "not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up," (Galatians 6:9).

And to all nurses and health care practitioners out there, as well as the patients they take care of, here is my prayer: "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well," (3 John 1:2).

Twenty One and Strong

It has been more than a year since my last entry here. After graduation last year, we had a day to rest, and then review for the board exam started. April last year, we headed to Graceland in Tayabas, Quezon and stayed there for six weeks for intense review. The Graceland Experience was one of a kind, and SCIONS and Aim One families are never ever forgotten. "Grab Your License!" Great days and nights, great people, great food, great activities, great learning, great faith and really just a totally, completely, great journey!

May last year, I, together with my batchmates braved the May 2014 Nurse Licensure Examination for 2 days. Pass or fail, the Lord is to be praised. Waited a month for the results. Prayed harder, got bored, watched movies, read novels, went to the gym, played the guitar for a month.

Until the 27 of June last year, I had finally added two letters to my name. To God be the glory because I am now Iris Desiree F. Robeves, RN.

July last year, we had our oathtaking at Lucena, Quezon. It was also the month we took ACLS, BLS and IVT! Way to go!

August was spent on passing resumes. September was purely waiting and waiting and waiting and deciding.

October, I became one of the PalaWanderers! Started  the 3-month training at the Adventist Hospital Palawan. It was an amazing, inspiring, wonderful, heaven-sent adventure that I am forever grateful to God for. Because I met and worked with God fearing, excellent nurses and hospital staff, learned to live independently, was very free, wandered on my escapades, reflected so much about God and life.

November, December, January, February. I visited home on Christmas last year, got lonely and homesick in January. Celebrated my 21st birthday on a Sabbath day and decided my hashtag will be #TwentyOneAndStrong. Finally graduated with my batch sweet sixteen, and had my interview for employment.

March, I processed requirements and had my pre-employment medical. Also transferred to the dormitory. Oh! I failed to mention I made friends with three lovely dogs back at the apartment. So when I was all set to sign and seal the contract...BOOM.

It just happened. March this year, I went back home here in Cavite. Took the exam and had my interview at SLHMC, had my pre-employment medical.

April this year was spent on waiting. But I received my ukulele from Cebu! A birthday gift from a "special someone" who wants to remain anonymous. It's personalized, it has my name on it, and it's just really gorgeous!

April this year, there were changes. And now, I am writing this. I am clueless. I don't know what's next. But what I do know and sure about is that GOD is in control. He is. He's fighting for and with me. Philippians 4:13 again and again!

Twenty and Grateful

The essence of birthdays is probably one of the best things in life.

I don't know about you, but what I love most about birthdays is that people treat you differently. Well not unusually different, but rather special. Most sincere people greet you with the most affecting messages that would steer either booming laughter or seemingly endless tears. 

My point is, people who truly give an effort to stay in your life will dig in their truest emotions to be able to carry out the most heartwarming messages. I for one who loves appreciating people in my life and giving them letters believe that sincere messages surface out of true emotions. 

I read again the birthday greetings I got from last year and this year, and to summarize, I chose three top messages for me:

1. That they wish me a happy birthday, that I should be enjoying my day, and that they hope I get the desires of my heart in accordance to God's will.

2. That they admire me for being one of the strongest girls they know, that they're thankful for the strength I radiate.

3. That they are excited for me--for whoever guy I choose to be with.

I'd like to focus on the second message. Honestly, I really didn't know people think I'm strong until they told me that I am in fact strong. I mean, I am an open book. I tell people the stories of my life, and when I want to cry, I cry even in front of them. How is crying a symbol of being strong? 

Then I remembered the time I got compelling messages to be strong, to hold on to God's will, and to be wise--this was the year I had my heart seriously and figuratively damaged from a break up and a death of a loved one. I have shared these two stories in my previous blogs a couple of times already but I can absolutely say that the stories, or more appropriately, these experiences, are the potent determinants of how I became "strong" in the first place.

So I have a belief that to be strong, one must first be weak. One must be aware of the fact that we're human made out of dust, vulnerable to the inevitable pain. When it became evident to me that my friends come to me for some advice and would eventually admire and thank me that I have such strength, I realized that hey this strength isn't mine. I mean come to think of it, I am the most obvious and constant weeper among all my friends, where on earth will I be getting the strength they are referring to? Where did I even get the energy to build that strength my friends are telling me I possess? Then I actualized that the most important question I should be asking myself is from Whom did it come from?

Thinking deeply now, I didn't even make any effort to own such strength people claim I have. It was just received on the time it was gravely needed. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says "But He said to me, 'My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am STRONG."  

To everyone whose messages point out an admiration to how strong I am, I wouldn't be if not for Christ. If I am radiating such strength, it is Christ residing in me. If I advised and it worked, it is because of the wisdom I pray for every single day. I am who I am not just because of my efforts, or my personality, but because I worship the same God Noah, Abraham or Moses worshiped. My strength is a gift only from Him that I try to sustain every day, no matter how difficult life gets because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. My everything came from Him, even the people in my life who came, left, or stayed. My all in all is from Him because I am nothing without Him.

And now that I am twenty, about to embark to a new chapter after graduation, preparing for a big exam, fearing different goliaths and challenges this year; I am just truly grateful for everything the Lord has blessed me. I'll never live a total of two decades if it wasn't for His great life-giving, endless LOVE. My strength is my faith, and my faith is in God. To Him be all gratitude devoted, to Him be all admiration given, to Him be all the glory.

Odyssey

I’m very thankful to feel this overwhelming exuberance brought about by utmost gratitude from deep down my heart to God for all the blessings He bestowed upon me and everyone else especially those I love. I can’t express how happy I am to actually, literally be gaining wisdom every single day; from being guided by all my favorite Bible verses, to all the books that I read every devotional time; from listening to my family’s and bestfriends’ advice, to I myself being the one to advise; from the experiences I’ve been through, mistakes I learned from, to others’ own life stories with important lessons to get from. The motivation I have to a healthier lifestyle is so strong I can’t help but be excited every day to
try to push myself more and more to the goal of a longer life. I have so much inspiration in learning new things and in relearning old things, the passion to read and live by it is so alive.

I’m truly realizing the importance of self-awareness. How much I should control my attitude in every situation I’m given; that everything is a test, sometimes even tricky that I need to pass; that I have to prove the devil wrong; that I have to please God and give glory to Him in all things I do; that there’s more to life than being down and mulling over negative and torture thoughts; that life is really a gift from God, so beautiful and fragile at the same time.

And as much as I’m thankful to be aware of myself, it’s nice to be sensitive to other people too, that each has a story to tell. Each has a happy story, a terrible news, a hearbreaking experience, a memorable event, a sad moment, a stressful situation. Each is dealing with various emotions. That we don’t have a right to judge a person by how they look, what they say, how they talk, or how they mingle. because we’re only seeing, or hearing a speck, a tiny piece of who they really are.

This year has entered so uniquely than the years passed, and now that I’m figuring adulthood, it’s important to be strong, wise, and kind-hearted, humble, patient, prayerful, understanding, courteous, obedient, loving, honest, caring, sensitive. And I figured it helps to be enthusiastic and optimistic in welcoming changes and in going through struggles or mishaps.

My heart is overflowing with great appreciation and happiness over life and how truly truly amazing our God is.

These Dreams

"Music Life" must be redundant, because the way I see it, and how I know you, music has become your life, especially that you pursue it in college and you serve the Lord best through it. I'm so proud of you, and all of your achievements, small or big. I'm certain those are stepping stones to your success. I am in fact inspired by your genuine love for music, that you spend each day humming to life's lovely melodies and tunes. And yes, while I don't know how it feels like to belong to a group of people in the music ministry, my heart sings as you sing, hoping to be with you as you give back all the glory to our Creator. 

I hope and pray that all your dreams will come true, in God's perfect time. You're a young man filled with so much love, good thoughts, and determination. I hope that you choose the right people to inspire and influence you as you go along with your journey. I wish that you'd be given several opportunities in your career, that you'd travel all over the world, making a name--in which when heard would automatically be tagged as one of the bests, one of the most humble, and one of the people who give back all success to the Master Musician. 

Of course, my hopes for you wouldn't come true unless you want it too, and unless you surrender it to God whose plans for you are way beyond anyone's thoughts. I just also hope and pray, like always, that you'd choose to be happy, healthy, and safe all the time.Often times, failures precede success, so let me remind you of God's promise in Romans 8:28 "We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His decree."

I'm writing this because I'd like to let you know that though we pursue very different courses, though there's nothing so much in common between the two of us when it comes to our goals of profession someday, I'd like you to know that what you do is also important to me, just as how much you give value to it. You and your activities, and your family are in my prayers. God bless you! 

Three Things I Want to Let EVERYONE Know

Thank you is all I can say to the person I consider one of the best people I have ever known my entire life.

I'll miss you is all I can say to the person whose personality clicked so much with mine. and when i say "I'll miss you," it means that I'll miss you, and everything about you and me. 

I'll love you always is all I can say to the person I have so much thoughts about; I have so much patience for; I have so much understanding for; and I have so much prayers for. I'll love you always is all I can say to the person who is a big part of my life; the one I gave chances to; the one I have many times thought of being my lifetime partner. I'll love you always is all I can say to the person whom God sent to enlighten me, comfort me, encourage me, understand me, be patient with me, make me laugh, make me cry, do favors for me, wait for me, and love me. I'll love you always is all I can say to the person whose whole being inspires and motivates me to love myself, and to continue being a blessing to others. I'll love you always is all I can say to the person I am very proud of, I admire so much, and I long to have insightful or foolish conversations with. I'll love you always is all I can say to you, because I do. I really do.