Trying times

I've read about Maria's death early yesterday morning. May the God of all comfort comforts the Chapman family in this time of grief. (Click here for more details)

There are just some things we will not understand in this side of life.

Just this 12:01AM, there's another PhP1.00-1.50 increase in oil petroleum products. Sometimes it's just so depressing.

I thank God for songs of comfort and hope:

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
- Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
- Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, All fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives
- Because He Lives (hymn)

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
- Trust His Heart by Ray Boltz

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Hurry-Sick Tin

I'm fascinated in observing and monitoring things (e.g. weather, traffic, etc.). Lately I've been monitoring myself.hehe. And I noticed I have hurry sickness (hehe self-diagnosed disease).

My Symptoms:
- Honking my car's horn more often (esp. when there's a slow moving vehicle in front)
- Disliking red traffic light
- Eating fast
- Talking fast
- Walking fast or running more often
- Always looking at my watch or my PC's clock

I'm not saying that doing things faster is bad. But there is a time for everything. I'm forgetting to cherish the moment and enjoy the ride. God is too wise to catch my attention by giving me pain last week. It is as if He was saying, "Slow down, Tin." Now that I'm aware of it, I'll be monitoring myself again and hope I will make progress this week. :)

Unique story

Thoughts of being a "generic" human being keep on bugging my mind lately. I thought I have a generic name and a generic face. (Hehe. Just in my low self-esteem mood.) I asked God, "Is there something special about me?" (Just wanting to have some affirmation and assurance.)

Last night, my mom and I came early for the Black Gospel Music Celebration Worship Concert. We decided to eat and stroll inside the St. Francis Square while waiting. My mom suggested that I should buy a new pair of shoes (as an alternate to my fave sneakers). There were lots of shoes on different stalls. There were many choices of design and color. "I want a unique one!", I said to my mom. After going around the stalls for some time, we saw a cute sneaker-like-girly-looking pair of slip-on shoes. We asked for the price and it was reasonable. The salesman encouraged me to try the shoes. The shoes on display looked big. My mom asked for the smallest size. The salesman said the smallest size is 35. "Oh yeah, 35 is my size!" (I remembered I bought a pair of shoes years ago with size 35 and it fitted my feet.) But when I tried the shoes, it was one size bigger than my size. Too bad. The salesman encouraged me to look for other designs. I saw my second choice but then the smallest size is not my size again. Too bad again. I was quite disappointed because I wasn't able to buy a pair of shoes. But I felt that God just want to say something to me, "Tin, you have a unique size of feet! You see, with all the pairs of shoes available in all these stalls, nothing fits your feet -- because you're unique!" Hehe, God has a good sense of humor. "Yeah, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!" :)