For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. - Matthew 18:20
I remember the time when Rye and I would pray over the phone each night and offer our intentions to the Lord for the day that was to come. One of our daily prayer requests then was for Rye and his family to have a car so that his Mom won't have to commute to work everyday. And Heavenly of Heavenlies, would you believe that God granted our request in a snap?
Rye called me one day and the frantic tone of his voice almost got me worried. But several deep gasps after, I learned that his Ate won a car from a raffle in SM Bicutan - a brand new Silver Suzuki Jimny, which Rye really liked. How wonderful! A fervent prayer instantly granted!
However, there was catch. It was not tax free. They had to cover 20% of the total value of the car, which was not at all small. So their family decided to sell the new car and they got a second hand Toyota with the money. But still, not bad at all cos imagine getting a car virtually free! God still answered our prayer, if you think about it. We just asked for a car, any car, and He granted our request.
One of the most trying times that Rye and I faced together was when he was in Smart, and at the same time, I just graduated and was about to start working in a headhunting firm. Again, each night, we'd pray together whether on the phone, through text or email, intensely asking God to reveal to us His plans through His Word so we'd know what to do next. Rye was having such great difficulty at work that one time, he stayed through the night to finish a presentation. He was even having nightmares about his nightmare of a workplace and boss, crying with deep breaths of anxiety, each night. Yes, each night. I, on the other hand, was adjusting to my new work and it was not at all easy for me as well. Being the timid person that I am, I was not used to talking to so many people. I had my own versions of panic attacks. I did not want the next day to come. I'd also cry myself to sleep regretting why I accepted that job in the first place.
After praying and praying, His answers eventually came. Not in an instant like the case of the brand new car, but they came, and that's what's important.
God said in His Word, "I will send you to the land of milk and honey" and that promise was fulfilled when Rye was able to get into the Management Trainee program in the "land of fresh milk and honey stars." I, on the other hand, followed suit after several months and finally pursued my Masters degree in Developmental Psychology at the Ateneo (my other dream school, after UP), and tried out teaching.
Fast-forward to 2009, Rye finally finished the CMT program and had the option to avail a car through a car plan. And guess what car he got?! A Silver Suzuki Jimny. A prayer re-answered! Right now, I am on my 3rd year of teaching little kids and close to finishing my MA. And I now realize why He put me in Ward Howell, which gave me the chance to talk to all sorts of people (who were older than me) and do all sorts of reports and personal profiles. You see, teaching kids do not just involve interfacing with kids all the time. There's also the admin side (lesson plan, weekly toddler reports, quarterly assessments) and also the parent-interface side (the much-dreaded Parent-Teacher Conferences). Being in that place somehow toughened me up and built up my confidence in speaking with (older) people (imagine having a client call with the president or CEO or the HR Director of a top FMCG company and interviewing all these executives. I die! Haha!).
It has not been an easy and straight path, I may say, each day bringing its unique set of difficulties and challenges. I've had my breaking points; Rye too. But the most important thing is we've kept our faith. We might have lost our focus (and continue to do so at times) at some points and turned away from God but He has His way of bringing us back. EVERYTIME.
This morning, I got an email from Rye that had a list of his dreams and prayer petitions. He started the email with the same verse above and said that it comes with a promise - "I am in the midst of them," loosely put "I will be with you." To quote Rye, he said "It is a promise, that not only that He is listening, but more importantly, He is here, He is present, He is faithful to those who have faith." Very true!
"I will be with you."
Yes, the Lord has kept that promise through all these years. Even if sometimes it is difficult to see His plans in difficult situations, He is there looking out for us. Eventually, we'll see His purpose and realize that our prayers and dreams have been granted - maybe (and usually) in a different form and at an unexpected time. His ways are truly not our ways. Who are we to question His wisdom? Remember, we can never outdo our God. NEVER.
I replied by adding my dreams and prayer petitions and everyday, we promise to offer these intentions to Him just as we did years ago and just as we've been doing until now.
There truly is power in prayer, especially when shared. I am blessed to have Rye as my prayer partner through all these years and I know why we've stuck it out for almost 8 years - It's really because of Him.
Pray. It works.
Ciao!
7:26 PM
August 11, 2010
PS. Happy birthday to one of the sweetest persons in the world, Muriel :) Another prayer partner of mine. May all your dreams come true! *Hug*
PSS. Rye got an instant answer to his prayer about work:
"TRUST JESUS"
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