Talk to Link

How do you react on calls coming from the guidance counselor of your child’s school asking you for a Parent-Teacher Conference even if the giving-out of cards is still due next month? Will it also crush your heart discovering the rather problematic behavior of your child, while to your mind he or she is behaved and obedient? I can only imagine the pain traveling from your brain down to your spine and vice-versa. As parents admitting to ourselves that we were remiss in disciplining our children is difficult because we have lived by the notion that, “we cannot harm our children”. But have we really not led our children to harm’s way?

As a teacher I have many times come across students who lived dual lives. In the home they seem to be “cool” and cooperative but as soon as they reach the school, they change roles and start to display a type of behavior quite the contrary to how they conduct themselves in their respective homes. While some choose to not attend school on a regular basis (even if parents thought that they are in school; thus continue to give their daily allowance), others end up bullies. In my many years of teaching experience most of those who received disciplinary actions have problems in the home. Suppressed and repressed emotions are the common culprits. 

Communicating with our children is important. It will do them good if we talk to them or discuss family matters with them. Being mum on situations that concern them will only make matters worse. Even if preoccupied with work, we need to ask our children how their day was. If it sounds more like a fishing expedition, let it be. What matters is knowing how our children spent their day.

Involving our children in family decisions and listening to what they have to say are essentials to teaching them responsibility and respect. When we parents allow our children to be healthy contributors to family matters, they develop confidence. 

Ephesians 6: 1, commands the children to obey their parents in the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 on the other hand, instructs the Fathers,(or parents)to not exasperate their children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

The Voice (A Sonnet)

It was a rainy day when I saw you;

You walked with grace and stood tall in the haze;

The pleasantness of your face radiated;

Magnetized me many meters ahead.

Clouds of confusion rumbled and jumbled;

A crazy well of emotions overflowed.

"How can I stop this?", that I asked myself;

Embarrassing it would be, If this persists.

So, I sat down, looked away and sighed;

I closed my eyes and  counting how I tried;

Hoping that by then, you're already gone.

Then I heard a voice calling out my name;

I looked around and there you were standing;

You smiled making me breathless and beaming.  

Enough

When you told me you’re leaving

I can’t help but wonder.

I asked you, where would you be?

You didn’t answer, you just looked away.

I asked you again, “How long would you be gone?

Your lips were tight then you cried.

I got even more worried

When you said not a single word

My heart felt like exploding

So heavy was its pounding

When you said, “Set me free.”

I asked myself, “What did she say?”

So many questions ran in my head.

But none I was able to ask

I even wanted to say to you “Don’t joke around."

”So I hugged you instead and begged you to stay.

But you pushed me away and said, “This is enough.”

                          And then you went away..

Kamulatan

Kabataan ikaw nga ba ang pag-asa

Ng bayang lugmok na sa problema?

Ginagawa ng mga nakatatanda tila

Wala ng saysay at di na naghihimala.

Kaalamang huwad namayagpag

Puso at kaluluwa di makapalag.

Materialismo at kapaguran sinalamin

At siyang naging pamantayan natin.

 

Ano pa’t mga kabataan

Sa ganitong kalagayan nasanay.

Kabuluhan ng buhay ay sinukat

Sa mga bagay na lumilipas din ng sukat.

Hindi masamang umunlad

Kung sa paglago ay di tayo lalayo

Sa katotohanan na ang Diyos ang nagbibigay

At may kakayanang bumawi maging sa lahat ng bagay.

Dalangin ko na maimulat natin

Sa kabataan na sa hinaharap ay iiwan din natin

Pagkilala sa Diyos na lumikha at dakila

Buhay nila ay lulubos at magiging malaya.

Not by Might!

Do signs really work? Long before I accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior I would always associate objects, words spoken, and even the people that I meet with my future. For so long, I was deceived into believing that my dreams could come true. Silly as they might be, I embraced all such things. I started interpreting dreams of people as well as mine, and said words to people as if  I was blessed  with the ability to see their future. I believed in the magnanimity of my thoughts because coincidentally some of those that I interpreted came true and those that I have blessed received what they hoped for. What did I generate from it? Arrogance and pride which led me to false hopes and disappointments. 

So are signs really true? I tell you they are not, but Jesus is! How deep we know Him will lead us to what we should be and what our future would be like. Nothing and no one in the flesh in this world can give us joy and security. Only Jesus can. Read God's word, meditate on it day and night and you will discover and uncover what We who believed Him are capable of doing. 

"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord, "

Zechariah 4:6. 

On Getting Old

When parents become difficult and hard to understand, that is when we have to give them extra grace. Hard as it can be but if possible similar as what Jesus endured for us in the CROSS. Love your parents. They are not useless, they are just old! Truth: All of us will be.

Hurt and Love in Action

Hurt and love are action words. They have to be shown or given.  Opposed as they may be but they always work together. Literally and figuratively they make the pattern of human relationships complete. Without them we would not learn so much from life. So be happy if you feel these, it makes your existence more meaningful.  For the overcomers, congratulations; wisdom you have gained. For the nurturers, forgive to be free. 

Listless

Lingering thoughts, faded memories

Swollen eyes to tears no longer dry

Weight of dreariness 

A never ending stall.

Seas are sought to no end

Squalls are too extensive

Abyss has not a word a comfort said

Blurred vision not a heartbeat is felt.

A thunderbolt plunged in the soul

A touch of comfort tingles no more

Searching soul a fright it built

Scorching sun piercing the marrows by.

Twilight inches its way

Smiles meander away

A clenched fist, if by far a way

Open it, and bid it goodbye.

Blink

The road has widened but the path has narrowed

The world was made closer but I am still lost

I can talk freely but not clearly

I can sing a song but idly I'd be

Myriad are my thoughts but I still don't understand

Views are a plenty but forever be diversified 

Oblivious people I thought they see

Truths that swarm but are so dead to fly.

Colorful lives left to waste

Indifference of high degree created a mess

Attached and detached are juxtaposed

Contrasts that spice are too bitter to mold

Loneliness drags to no end

Heaving a sigh of permanence

Relief from wantonness I seek

My heart beats fast but faint.

Blinded was I

Finding no purpose in all that I see

The Almighty set aside

When He is always by my side.

The Letter (A Short Story)

It was raining hard that day when I heard a knock on the door. I was waiting for Martha, our housekeeper to open it. Since the knocking on the door went on, I assumed she was indisposed, so I went down to open it myself. It was the mailman. He handed me a yellowish letter that had the name of my grandmother on it.  I looked at the mailman kind of confused but he only responded to me with a shrug as if he understood what I was about to ask him. I closed the door and went up to my room. While inside my room, I tried flipping over the letter trying to find a clue as to where it was from and who sent it. I only saw on the upper right part of the envelope on the left side of the stamp, a date.

 “Oh, it was mailed in 1984.” I said to myself, but as to who sent it, none at all.

Although still intrigued about the letter, I put it on my drawer just beside my bed and proceeded with my reading.

Then I heard the honking of my dad’s car. It was only then that I realized that it was already passed 6 pm. I was so engrossed with the book that I was reading that I was not aware anymore what time it was. So I jumped out of bed and went down to meet my parents. I went to my mom first. I kissed her and told her that I received a mysterious letter.

 “Mysterious?” she said in a rather exaggerated way. 


I told her who was it for, how old it looked, and the absence of a return address. My mom who by then was already beginning to wonder told me that she would look at it after dinner.

“Okey,” I said then went to my father.  

After dinner, my mother and I went to my room. I handed to her the letter. Just like what I did she flipped it over.

“What do you think, Mom?” I asked her.

My mom opened it without responding to my question and started to read the letter. I leaned over to read it myself but she pushed me lightly away.  

“Not for your eyes dear,” she said. I sat there by her side and waited quietly. It was her sigh that made me look at her. She was in tears!

“Mom, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”  I asked bewidlered.

  “It was from your grandfather”, she said. Had this been received by your Granny earlier, (referring to my grandmother), she would have died happier.”

I never saw my grandfather. I only heard vague stories about him. Whenever anyone asked of him, my granny and mother would be quick to change the topic. I must have outgrown my grandfather’s absence that I never cared to ask about him at all.   For the first time in my 15 years, I heard a story about my grandfather.

My mom narrated how her parents used to quarrel when she was young, and how bad she felt after.

 “I was your age when we left your grandfather. That was the last time I saw my dad,” she said in between sobs.

I couldn’t help but cry too because I felt the pain that granny and my mom felt during those trying times in their life.

“Where would grandfather be Mom?” 

“I have no idea,” she replied to me.  “This letter was written 14 years ago. “

I took the letter from her hand and this time she relented. As I read, I felt the anguish of my grandfather over not seeing them. He asked forgiveness from my grandmother and promised to never hurt her anymore. He also wrote how much he loved granny and how much he missed my mom. Then the post script:  

P.S.

Tricia, my dear, I did not write my return address on the envelope because I fear that you might not read it if you’d know that it was from me. So, I am writing it here instead: 123, Jackson Street, San Juan, Metro Manila.

If I receive a reply from you, I will take it as sign that you have forgiven me and you will take me back.

I received the letter just a week ago and Granny passed away two  years ago.

Dear Ms. Confused, 

You may not notice but you have developed indifference with your mom. I know that there were times when you would have wanted that it was your mom who attended your school conferences and not your dad. You might not have said a word about it but it nurtured resentment in your heart. You pretended that you did not mind at all  the many  times she refused you, but actually you hated that about her. Reasoning with your mom right now would not help, but for sure she also had reasons for not pursuing a relationship with you. Nevertheless, for all her shortcomings as a mother to you and as my child I still love her as much as I love you. I am never impatient with all of you no matter how many times you refuse me. Please have compassion for your mom. You are blessed with time since you won't lose her untimely. You still have time to show her that she is also special to you, but you have to forgive her first. 

My child, none of you is perfect. All of you have fallen short of my glory (Romans 3:23) yet I made the greatest sacrifice for you. You know that don't you (John 3:16)? My forgiveness I give to all but before I do, it is my heart's desire that you forgive those that hurt you too (Matt. 6:14). Allow my love for you to spring in your heart so that it will be easier for you to forgive your mother. Regrets only happen to people who procrastinate over time and to those with so much pride. Forgiving those who hurt you and asking forgiveness from those you hurt are liberating. So choose freedom. 

As what I instructed you in Matt. 5:4," leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." 

Take heed to avoid regrets.

Loving you sincerely, 

God

Dear God,

Last week, my mom's doctor told me that she has cancer and that she has only a month or so to live. Hearing that made me speechless. I couldn't figure out what emotions to display. I wanted to ask many questions, but I found myself seated in one corner thinking on how I should tell her of her condition or how to treat her now that she could leave us anytime.

I have never been close with my mother. I don't even consider her one of my very important persons, like I can survive a day without talking to her. There was no mother-daughter relationship between us, in fact I never asked her to go school to get my report cards nor let her attend parents' orientation. My dad attended every time anyway. You may find it rather unusual that it was dad who did what mom should have done herself, but I never cared at all. At least then, I thought it was just all right for her not to attend to my needs, but when it became frequent I started dissenting it. Although I recall dad telling me to request mom to attend to my graduation, so I did but she said, she has a very important client call. I never bothered asking her of anything after that and it had been that way since. 

When I shared her condition with everyone, they were devastated. There were tears in their eyes and crying went on for hours. Confused all the more I became because not a tear was shed from my eyes. I could not cry for her because I don't feel anything for her at all. 

A friend told me to pray and ask wisdom from you. I don't know what to do, please help me!


Sincerely yours,

Confused

Dear Ms. Skeptic

I received your letter and it grieves me that you don’t believe me. I really don’ blame you if you think that I am distant and not mindful of the pains that people experience. But as you can see I need to let you experience trials because it produces in you, faith and perseverance (James 1:2, 3).  If life is too easy for you, would you still need me and want me? I should know, I created all of you. I am not trying to punish you or any of you to go through difficulties? It is just my way of letting you see the effects of choosing something contrary to what I told you to do. Didn’t you notice even if you acted irresponsibly to the point of losing every fiber of goodness in your heart, I still send people to help you? Even if you don’t ask of me, it is my nature to give, so I give. You try to focus on the pain people go through, but not on the strength I give them each time they are hurt. If only you can discern better.

I am your God and I honestly care for all of you. I went through pain day in and day out because you don’t accept and believe me. I even sent my Son and allowed Him to go through that immensely  unbearable pain to the point of death just to give you the gift of salvation and eternal life (John 3:16) I endured it all because I want to let you know my real intention- to see me in glory.

Let me tell you not to lose heart when I rebuke you, because I discipline those that I love and I chasten those that accept me (Hebrews 12:6). This is me.

Sincerely,

God

Dear God,

I was told that you listen to every word that we say. Nothing escapes your gaze, and that you never tire at looking at how we spend our day. Many of my friends tell me that you are just everywhere. I can be at all places and you will also be there. I gather you must really have great powers. How can you possibly be at two places, Oh, not just two but be at all places at the same. That is really something! But you know what? I still doubt your awesomeness, or shall I say greatness. Well, if you really are what people tell me, why can’t you just be with those people you look at and listen to moment by moment on a personal level?  To me, you are like what some people are, so close yet so far. My heart agonizes over the hurts of people. I sometimes say to myself, If I were God, I wouldn’t have stayed distant, that I would have relieved those who hurt so much by making my presence felt, better yet gave them the desires of their hearts. Well, I can only guess that you are not like that.  So, why bother isn’t it? But being the person who believes in possibilities, I couldn’t just let things happen this way to people. Something must be done for them. So here I am pleading before you to do something.

I may not be a firm believer of you, but I really am hoping that you will take heed. Be a mover and part of our life for real, will you?

Yours truly,

Skeptic