Call for help

Post from the JPIC coordinator (SVD Philippine Central Province), Fr. Rod Salazar, SVD:

Bohol is badly in need of relief assistance such as food, water and other basic needs due to the 7.2 earthquake and hundreds of aftershocks afterwards. Roads and bridges are not passable that isolate some affected areas. People have not been given immediate medical attention which may increase the present death toll of around 100. This is an appeal to pool our resources together to give assistance ASAP to the survivors. Let us encourage our school communities, parishes and circle of friends to share. You may send your donation to SVD Southern Province Inc. Acct. No. 1025640132, BPI Cebu Mango Branch. Thank you so much!

Lord, we lift up to you the people of Bohol and Cebu. May your mercy see them through this difficult time. Use our five loaves and two fish. Multiply it to bring succor to those in need. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Womanly musings...

On the way home last Saturday, a couple got off a jeep from across the street. What caught my attention though was the way the guy kissed the girl on the lips in public. The body language seemed telling. The girl was leaning away from him. I looked away embarrassed. After what I estimated to be a sufficient amount of time for goodbyes, the next sight that greeted me was the guy going into his house along the highway and then the girl crossing the street to go home. That was when my jaw dropped in shock. Babae ang naghatid sa boyfriend niya sa bahay? Talaga lang? Couldn't he make the effort to walk her first to her house?

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Yesterday, I was chatting with a long-time friend. Since college, this guy has been my confidante about all things regarding my love life or lack thereof. I found it strange that I was disagreeing with all the advice he was giving me and then I realized... he was giving me advice from the perspective of a married guy--advice that a man ought to follow but is not necessarily good advice for a woman. He was more or less urging me to push for clarification of intentions or cut off friendships. 

I guess I have learned a few things over the years. One of the most crucial things is that when it comes to romantic relationships, just let the man take the lead. Don't jump the gun. Wait. This is extremely difficult, especially for women today who are in charge of their careers, take initiative at work, and are proactive in other areas of their life. 

Popular culture via all forms of entertainment encourages women to take the initiative. You have Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion singing to women everywhere to "tell him." You have Julia Roberts going after her best friend to keep him from marrying someone else... a few years later, she is a superstar of a girl "standing in front of a boy asking him to love her."

I am grateful I attended a seminar which I realize now has given me a different perspective that is quite liberating. If a man wants me, he will do what he has to. If he is silent about his feelings or his actions don't back up his words, just let it be. 

If you can be friends, be friends. Don't assume anything. Learn to live with the wondering but assume that the default position is he is just not that into you. Guard your heart, ladies. Don't give it to the next available man just because he's a nice, warm body beside you. You might end up having to bring him home while he gives you a sloppy, disrespectful kiss in public that you don't really want.

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Okay, this might not seem like my usual blog topic but ultimately, when I think about it, God is really giving me grace. I don't have the strength to guard my own heart. I am impulsive and impatient and aggressive enough to tell a guy I like that I like him. God is really the one guarding my heart lately... yes, my weaknesses and impulses still make their way out but the peace I have now is inexplicable and can only be from God. It is a peace that the world cannot give. And it is a peace that liberates. 

Father, thank you for the peace that only you can give. May everyone who reads this blog also be blessed with this inexplicable peace that liberates. Please bless all women, especially young women who might look up to the Miley Ciruses of the world, with the knowledge of how much you love them. May this knowledge lead to them value and respect themselves, say no when they have to, be patiently trusting when things are uncertain, and be free to follow your will wherever it may lead. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.       
  

The timing of rain

I took my SD out to lunch yesterday to thank him for his time, listening ear, patience, and prayers. We had a hearty lunch of salt-and-pepper pork ribs at Savory, spinach with garlic, and rice. Sarap! Afterward, he treated me to halo-halo at Razon's. Share kami. Yummy talaga!

On the drive back to the seminary, it started to rain really hard. I was grateful to be safe and dry inside the car. Looking back on it, I realized the timing of the rain for the past two days was providential for me. I had left my umbrella in another bag and had gone without it unaware. Yet, I had not needed it whenever I went out of the office to go home for the past two days. The roads would be wet but the downpour would be over. 

Thank you, Lord, for your protection and all the blessings we receive without knowing it. May we increase in our awareness of your lavish love, and thus increase also in gratitude and in loving those around us. Please grant that we may love you as you ought to be loved, with all our being... 

Thank you also, Lord, for the blessing of having priest-shepherds in my life, particularly my SD, Fr. C, and my mentor-boss, Fr. R, who celebrates his birthday today. Thank you for the knowledge and wisdom they share so generously. Please continue blessing them, keeping them safe, and using them for your glory. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.