Benefit of the doubt

Before, I thought it's negative to doubt. When I was in college, my professor in Humanities would always comment when we're unsure of our answers -- "It's good when you're doubting. It means you're thinking." One of the things I could still remember from the devotional book "If the Pasta Wiggles, Don't Eat It..." by Martha Bolton is the "bumper sticker for the day" that says, "Sometimes the best gift you can give a friend is the benefit of the doubt."

I realized that the "benefit of the doubt" lesson is also applicable when driving. This "benefit of the doubt" had saved me several times from accident. You cannot really always trust what you're seeing. Some of my experiences were... The intersection might look open but when I'm about to cross it, another vehicle will pop out. I look at the side mirror and the lane seems to be open but when I'm about to change lane, a man riding a motorcycle is suddenly in the lane. I look at the rear red lights of the vehicle I'm trailing as a guide if I have to step on the brakes, more often than not, most vehicles on the road have busted rear red lights. Most drivers do not flash signal lights when they are turning right or left and this annoys me sometimes. Oh well, I took note of these things and try to be aware of the possibilities.

I think we could learn life's lessons while driving. :)

Thanks for the lemonade!

Lemonade is not my favorite but we should be thankful for everything.

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade! :)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (KJV)

Spectacles and HipHop/RnB

During my elementary days, I envied my classmates who wear eyeglasses. They looked like geniuses and smart kids. I could still remember I was asking my mom to buy me eyeglasses even when I have 20/20 vision. I would interview my classmates how does it feel to wear eyeglasses. One classmate of mine said, "Mahirap ang naka-eyeglasses!"

Two to three years ago, results of my eye checkup was my eyes are "astig" (as in astigmatic). I was advised to wear corrective eyeglasses. I was excited to wear eyeglasses. As I was wearing eyeglasses more often, I found out that eyeglasses are sort of obstruction on the face. I now fully understand my classmate's statement before. I hope and pray that my eyes won't be "astig" anymore. Funny me! I wonder if God is nodding his head and would scold me, "'Kala ko ba gusto mo ang naka-eyeglasses?!" I remember a Henry Blackaby's quote, "Oh God, if I ever give You a request and You have more to give me than I am asking, cancel my request!" :)

My brother likes hiphop/rnb sounds while driving. He would put down the car's windows plus have the audio's volume up plus matching wearing sunglasses equals 100 pogi points! My mom and I are quite annoyed with this style of his. I observed teenagers and young adults on the road and most of them have this style also. I guess this is just the trend. Recently, one sunny day while I was driving along traffic-free Katipunan Ave., a hiphop/rnb sound was played on the radio. I put down my car's windows plus have the audio's volume up. I said to myself, "Ah, ganito pala ang feeling!" I found out that hiphop/rnb is a good background music while driving. Hehe. I've learned that you'll never really know how it feels until you experience it yourself.

In life, sometimes we may feel that nobody really understands how we feel. We just have to remember that we have a God who understands us and He experienced it all. Hebrews 4:14-16 (The Message) says, "Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help."

Cinderella

Cinderella
by Steven Curtis Chapman

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of her dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

For a sample audio of Cinderella, visit SCC's site.

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I guess this song became more important than ever to SCC.

I've been hurry-sick for the past weeks and this song reminds me to cherish and savor each moment all the more. It's difficult to chase time. :)

God has a unique way of getting our attention. While driving along our street going home, a big frog popped up and blocked my way. I stepped on the brakes. I have second thoughts of honking my car's horn because I've been training myself to just honk my car's horn if really necessary. While the big frog was sitting pretty and blocking my way, I smiled. I said to God, "You got me!" He knows I can't run over a frog so I need to stop. (I was so sorry then for all the frogs I've dissected during my Bio 2 class when I was in college.) I stopped for a while and then geared my car to reverse to avoid the frog. When I was parking my car in our garage, I suddenly thought, "God, was that my frog prince?" :)