Learning to Let Go

This is just a repost from actlikeaman.org. I find it inspiring. Indeed, God wants us to let go especially when He sees that He isn't the center of it. I'm glad I have read it and I really want to share it here in my blog. 

Someone once told me, ‘do not hold on to a blessing too tightly that you aren’t willing to let go anymore’. I think there is wisdom with what she said. And don’t we all struggle with that? Especially when we’re blessed with a relationship?

This entry has been inspired by my relationship with a good friend of mine who ignited this wisdom and experience in me. To you, I give my thanks.

I’ve been blessed with so many friends. And we as human beings experience relationships here and there. It is part of us. We need relationships – it is our design to desire such. And for some part of my life, I’ve been blessed with a special relationship that I was holding on so tightly to.

When a blessing makes you bleed

This relationship was a big blessing in my life. And in fact, it still is. But during the time, I was so stubborn and held on to my relationship with this person too tightly, I didn’t feel my hand was already bleeding and I was suffocating the blessing.

Holding on to a blessing too tightly will dethrone God in your life. Especially if that blessing is a relationship. The one thing that will ever play tug-o-war with God for the throne in your heart is a relationship – whether it be a relationship with a person (which is a two-way relationship), with your tv, computer, books, etc… (the latter ones are one-way relationships) Because what you have with God is a relationship too.

Feeling the loss

And so at some point in time when God sees that you cannot handle the blessing He has given you, He has to take it away. And yes you will excruciatingly feel the pain as God pries your fingers open. You will feel the cuts in your hand begin to bleed. And you will feel the loss – a void in your palm and a void in your heart for you have placed that blessing in the throne of God, committing idolatry.

It is such an irony that when you are willing to let go, God will let the blessing stay for He knows that He still holds Lordship over your life. But when the time comes that you’re holding on a wee bit tighter to that blessing, He’s gonna start telling you “Hey buddy, you better lossen up that grip.”

When the time comes that God needs to pry the blessing away from you, then you know that you have made yourself a captive of that blessing. And instead of a blessing it has become an idol for you. All the idols we make in our lives come from blessings – blessings that has taken the place of God in our hearts. So how do we avoid this? How can we let go?

Set your eyes on the Giver

How do we avoid idolatry? Check your heart. Is God still the only thing you cannot let go of? Are all other things worthless in light of Him? Is He still your focus? When the answer is no then that’s the time when you have to question the things in which you are fearful to let go of – because it has already taken root in the throne room of God in your life.

How can we let go of a relationship that we have been blessed with? Renew your mind. Always remember that God gives us blessings for a purpose – to bless others with it. If the relationship is not pleasing to God anymore, and if you yourself is not blessed with what is happening, then it’s time to search your heart with where you stand in the relationship. Check your grip. Are you holding on too tightly?

It is not easy to know these things. You need the discernment and wisdom of God. You need to give Him time to tell you this. Often, we are blinded with emotions in this aspect and we need the help of other people whom we can trust and to who we can be accountable with. Ask them for advice. Humble yourself and know that you need it.

And when you know and realize that you are holding on too tight, then you know that you have to let go. Loosen your grip by loosening the relationship with that person in your heart. Meaning, slow down or cut short the communication between the both of you. Relationships grow through communication, so in order to loosen it up, loosen up the communication.

Back off and try to see the relationship in a bigger light. Is it still pleasing to God? Are other people going to be blessed with your relationship with that other person? Maybe it’s time to give the blessing back to God and develop yourself more in order for you to handle it better the next time around.

Check your grip.

Let go. Develop yourself. Wait on God.

Here is the website if you want to read it from the author Sean Si. http://www.actlikeaman.org/learning/

Songs and Memories

What is it with songs that when you heard it again; it will bring back some memories in the past? It seems a wide screen that will let you see what happened back then. It seems it gives magic by bringing you to a time where you know you can’t go back anymore.

So, here are the few songs that whenever I hear it playing, some memories have just flashed before my eyes and I begin to smile.

Macarena by Los del Rio

Watching my cousin leading a dance in front of many people in NDMU grounds

Like a Rose by A1

Sleeping in my bed while listening this in the radio during my highschool years

Something stupid by Robbie Williams

Sing this song in front of my music class during highschool

Asereje by Las Ketchup

Singing and dancing this song during the division press conference at the KNCHS Gym

When you say nothing at all by Ronan Keating

Listening to my friends singing it during my 18^th birthday outside my room in Kalayaan dorm

Birthday song by Don Mclean

Stephen sings this to me the night of my 18^th birthday.  The guitar, candles surrounded us and the rose he gave to me.

With a Smile by Eraserheads

Sing the first few lines in front of my English Class. I need to get the attention of my classmates as I speak about my topic.

Kailan by MYMP

Joanna is singing this song to me at the hallway or in her room at Yakal dorm. She is teasing me with Stephen.

Give Thanks by Don Moen

This song reminds me of the Yakal Christian Fellowship. I remembered Kuya Dave reminding us to sing this joyfully. 

Love bug by Princess

I see myself walking in the streets from my apartment to the street of G. Araneta where I wait for the jeep as I go to work.

Iniibig Kita by Roel Cortez

Sitting in the living room of my apartment where my previous boyfriend is singing this to me.

I know there are so much more in the list but I can't write all of it here. I hope that you too will smile whenever you recall some songs that somehow brings you to the past.

October, You’ve Welcomed Me With So Many Things To Do.

Today is the 9^th day of October but I found myself in the middle of these paper works that I don’t even have some time to rest. Well, I’m glad I have this time today to write in my blog. Ofcourse, because I am procrastinating and I just don’t feel doing any work related thing anymore. You see, I’m quite stressed and pressured. And I needed this break.

On the first day, you welcomed me with a meeting. It’s not really stressful but whenever I think of the things needed to be finished this month, it sucks me. It seems its eating every fuel that I have in my body.

Second day, you have tired me again with preparation on the strategic planning. Not to mention that my boss had just told me that I will be in charge in the orientation the next day. Whoa, I’m like an astonished woman by that time. I'm like, C'mon Ma'am, are you sure you're going to give it to me?

Still had time to take a picture during the workplanning

Third to fifth day, it’s strategic planning time. Facilitating it drained all my energy. Even though I have with me my team, still the pressure is yours. Not to mention that you have to make sure that they are enjoying their socials at night. C’mon, I’m pressured with the social activities or with the planning itself? Maybe both. I’m glad that my boss didn’t leave me behind.

Sixth day. Yes, this is it! Atlast. I can truly say that this day is for me to pamper myself when suddenly there is little and big J’s in the house. Entertaining visitors is somewhat exhausting  especially if you need rest.

It Sunday on the seventh day and it’s my lola’s 89^th birthday! Ofcourse, we have to pay a visit to the one who brought my mother in this world. We bought cakes and some food for lunch. Not an ordinary Sunday for us, we also plan for the upcoming wedding of my cousin. And again, I’m striked by my aunt on when would my wedding be. I just like say to her that those things don’t matter now for I think I’m too young for that. Hahahaha!  After lola’s birthday, we also need to have our dinner at my another lola, the mother of my dad. Oh well, my aunt and uncle arrived and they have this little party in their house. Yes I know that I went to party but don’t you know that series of parties is somehow a strenuous activity?

Eight day is Monday, the first day of work this week. And I am not sure if I can still sustain all of those activities especially that I have to rush some documents before the travel of my boss next week. Thinking about everything that I needed to do really, really drained me. Tears just flow from my eyes for I know I am not sure if I can still sustain my energy with all of these things.

Ninth day. And that is today. It’s late afternoon and I think I have done enough for the day. I have arranged my schedules and been productive today. Finished so many things today and accepted additional appointment in the work. This really is it, and I think I will be very busy these coming days. Not to mention that October is the month where there are so many deadlines along the way, including my outside projects. I really hope I can cope up with everything. I’m glad I write it here, at least I poured out my thoughts and my burden in this site. Thanks to this blog.

And before I forget, I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He won’t put me here if I cannot do it. May His grace sustain me every day of this October life. He is carrying me on until the ninth day and He will always be. Hoping to have a fruitful October. There's more to go.