Day 1

Normally, I don't read forwarded "inspirational" email messages. If I see the smallest hint that there'll be a Bible quote somewhere at the bottom of an email, I immediately press the "Delete" button in my keyboard.

But don't get me wrong. I'm not an atheist. I'm just one of the growing number of "non-practicing Catholic" Filipinos, who believe that faith is not spoon-fed. It is not something that you profess by going to a weekly ritual, in which you arrive late, spend half of the time daydreaming (or in some cases, really dreaming), and say "prayers" that come out of the mouth, but are not even remotely heartfelt and true. (Bato bato sa langit... hahaha...)

Anyway, this morning, I received another one of such email messages from an officemate, and for some reason I read right through the end. I think, despite its simplicity, it still hit a bone in me or something.

Now, I don't exactly believe everything in it, most especially the end, but I just thought I'd post it here, with the hopes that it would also hit a few of you -- or should I say, the few of you who read my blog.

C'est ici.

PLANNING AHEAD
Author Unknown

The best gift anyone can give me this new year is a planner.
I like planners because I am a planner.
I like thinking ahead.
I like being prepared.
I get a high from being on top of things.

But some things are beyond planning.
And life doesn't always turn out as planned.

You don't plan for a broken heart.
You don't plan for a failed business venture.
You don't plan for an adulterous husband.
Or a wife who wants you out of her life.
You don't plan for an autistic child.
You don't plan for spinsterhood.
You don't plan for a lump in your breast.

You plan to be young forever. You plan to climb the corporate ladder.
You plan to be rich and powerful.
You plan to be acclaimed and successful.
You plan to conquer the universe.
You plan to fall in love - and be loved forever.

You don't plan to be sad.
You don't plan to be hurt.
You don't plan to be broke.
You don't plan to be betrayed.
You don't plan to be alone in this world
You plan to be happy.
You don't plan to be shattered.
Sometimes if you work hard enough, you can get what you want.
But most times, what you want and what you get are two different things.

We, mortals, plan. But so does God in the heavens.
Sometimes, it is difficult to understand God's plans especially when His plans are not in consonance with ours.
Often, when God sends us crisis, we turn to Him in anger.
True, we cannot choose the cross that God wishes us to carry, but we can carry that cross with courage knowing that God will never abandon us nor send something we cannot cope with.

Sometimes, God breaks our spirit to save our soul.
Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.
Sometimes, God sends us pain so we can be stronger.
Sometimes, God sends us failure so we can be humble.
Sometimes God sends us illness so we can take better care of ourselves.
Sometimes, God takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything He gave us.

Make plans but understand that we live by God's grace.


Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6