"...My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused." - Hosea 11:8
This has to be one of my favorite verses. In other versions, it says "for my love for you is too strong." God has demonstrated His great love in so many countless ways, that it would take a lifetime to ennumerate them all, even if you exclude every breath you're taking this very moment. The greatest of all is that He sent His only Son to become the sin of the world, and die on the cross, then defeat death by rising back to life on the third day!
God just keeps on keeping me in awe of the things He keeps preparing for me. Yesterday, I celebrated my birthday. God had much in store for that day. December 19, 2008 had to be the second-best day of my life (second to January 21, 2008, which is the very day when I accepted God into my life), and it was anything but dull!
Okay, so let me start with the day before. I already knew I would be mostly out of the house on my birthday, so we ate out at Shakey's the day before. Mom brought with her a light blue gift bag to give to me after dinner. I was excited, but my stomach was already rumbling so I was more excited about eating (!). I was the first to finish my meal, coz I couldn't wait to open the gift ('~'). When I finally opened it, I got a brand new *****. I was astonished to be given a really new one coz I didn't think my mom had enough money for one! She explained that my previous one was so pitiful, it broke her heart to know I never complained. This put my heart in awe. It reminded me of what God would do with someone who is contented with what He has given.
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment?" 1Timothy 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." Thanks mom.
On the 'big day,' I was excited. I asked God to bless the day, and I asked Him for a gift. I had lots of fun throughout the day. Being dragged to a few games the teachers arranged (like pass the message, and the headdress competition). It was really fun, I admit, but it had already taken much out of me, seeing that I was already tired before lunch. I thanked God because I (and the rest of the class) didn't have to worry about spending for lunch! Apparently, the class already had extra cash because of our numerous chip-ins and earnings during High School Day. We were grouped by five/six during lunch because a group was assigned to a lechon manok, a plate's-worth of bam-i in a plastic bag, a bundle of puso (the best way to cook kanin), and a liter of coke. I sat with my friends, and was touched coz we toasted to a lot of things, but mostly (daw) because it was my day! hahah.. Okay, during the exchange-gift, I got a bottle of perfume (real nice!) and was happy that my manita was happy with my gift for her (she laughed hysterically when I gave her the smallest gift in the classroom, but was happy when she discovered that I gave her a necklace with matching bracelet =D).
After such, we (me and my friends) heard that our classmate, Ashley, was sick with dengue, and had to be in her hospital bed for a few days, so we decided to pay a visit to room 327. When we arrived, we weren't the first ones there coz most of Ashley's close friends were there before us. I'm sure, and glad that we made her day. We all had our pictures taken with her, and teased that she should be thankful for dengue coz it made her famous. We all had a good chat, and I'm glad we paid a visit.
For the night, my mom decided to buy an extra cake for the Living Stones Youth group. She made sure I got my favorite cake for home. After a tasty dinner, I blew out sixteen candles (which, needed a lot of wind, and patience in lighting), and left my cake with sixteen scars on.
After getting a cool new shirt, and hat, my mom and bro drove me all the way to Calvary Chapel for the Christmas party, and for the first time in a long time, I WAS EARLY, which was exactly how I wanted to be whenever I go. When I got in, carrying the rather large cake, Ate Karen got excited about it, and told me she'd talk to me later, coz she was busy talking to someone else. When she got off the conversation, she told me that I'm God-sent, and explained that during the previous Christmas party, no one brought a cake, and instead, had a limited supply of cupcakes. She was thrilled to see me bring the cake, because she, herself, bought the same kind of cake as mine for the night, and knew it wasn't enough for everyone and feared that many would have to sacrifice, particularly the servant leaders. Nevertheless, God wouldn't have any of it! Amen.
During the party, we all had real fun with the games, and the presentations. It was all God-filled! During the devotion, I was melted in awe that God presented me the gift I asked from Him earlier. Earlier, I told Him that the best gift He would give me this day was to know of, if not be part of a revival for even just one of His children. Low and behold, several people raised their hands to accept Jesus into their lives! PRAISE THE LORD!!! After of which, they all sang a happy birthday to both Jesus, and me. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORD! When it was snack time, we were all happy to know that everyone had enough to eat! Praise the Lord again!!!
After a good heart-to-heart talk with Kuya Jerry, we finally called it a night and headed home. When I got home, I was still in awe, and will always be of how GREAT, POWERFUL, KIND, GENEROUS, and MIGHTY our God is!!! By the time I laid myself to sleep, it was an automatic shut down. God gave me the best on my birthday, and I will continue to give Him the best everyday of my life!
GOD BLESS YOU OH DEAR CHILD OF THE LORD!
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