…affirming the gift…

Since high school Mother’s Day remained a special occasion for me. I have this unfathomable feeling whenever this special day for mothers arrives.

The passing years and the expanding social networks made me understand that motherhood is a gift, a very special gift.

Every person born destined to be a woman cannot be certain of her calling for motherhood. God in His own mysterious and sovereign way appoints motherhood. The intricacies of a woman are wonderfully designed but the position of becoming a mother is especially honored.

All women are created with their uterus in them but not all of them will have regular menstrual period, a critical aspect to conceive. All women can choose to get a husband but not all can conceive. Some women may experience conception but not all will give birth. A few may give birth but still miss the opportunity to become mothers. Many women are blessed with a number of children still many of them missed becoming a mother.

The stories of Hannah in I Samuel and Sara in Genesis are keeping my mind wide awake right now. Sara took a lifetime before God eventually opened her womb. Hannah experience great suffering and an advance dedication of her child to the Lord, then finally God blessed her womb. Two stories that moved me; indeed, it takes a great miracle from an all-powerful God to carry life in one’s womb.

Motherhood is indeed a precious calling. It is a privilege. It is an honor to become a mother. Motherhood goes beyond the conception and giving of birth, it is not even the start of it. Motherhood comes to life when we understand the true meaning of becoming a mother. Absolutely, motherhood has no formula, because in itself it is a life; a gift.

…the journey I would not want to miss…

I FELT A DIRE NEED TO POST THIS: the following article or say some parts of it was published in SY 2006-2007 in one of the Ti Similla issues, a publication of University of the Philippines Baguio. Revisions were made.

I started my teaching career when I was still in grade school. My first students were my siblings. I guided them to read and write letters. I also facilitated them in writing their names. Counting activities and story telling were also part of my duty. My little blackboard and hardly earned chalk were with me during this short mission.

Teaching runs in my veins since childhood. It is a vocation that I started to experience early in life. Gurong Pahinungod Program (GPP) once again allowed me to have more chalks and be with now a bigger blackboard but with a greater responsibility. This program led me to repaint an almost forgotten past.

I prayed for a teaching career but I never wished to be with high school students. But the Lord was really wise for leading me into a path I never wanted just to show more of myself and of Himself.

Being a Gurong Pahinungod (GP) is a life changing experience. It touched every aspect of my life—emotional, psychological, mental, social and spiritual. Living in a community where I am a complete stranger melt down whatever arrogance I have. It left nothing but humility and ability to understand in a wider perspective. It renewed me as an individual. This affirmed me all the more. It has stretched my faith and exhausted my skills and revealed my unknown talents. Thus, it became a re-creation of my self. GPP showed more of who am I. It unleashed my capability to see and evaluate my weaknesses and fears and most especially to conquer them.

Gurong Pahinungod is not a perfect experience. It is not smiling and laughing moments at all times. There are times that I got really mad. Some instances I wanted to quit and live my life. At times I got very frustrated. And there are moments that I find myself kneeling down before the Lord, crying out loud hoping that it will reach heaven, but I believe all my prayers have reached God. But the bottom line is I learned. I learned that servant hood requires your whole life. It is a bitter sweet experience that we will face. But after that the rewards are in heaven.

A year of volunteer work made me realize that teaching does not stop when your students could decode the word, recognize the word, or even understand the word. In reality teaching does not end; it’s infinite. Even separation could not break the process, it is a transcending duty. I am not only a giver but also a recipient of learning. If I could inflict change to just one life I know the sacrifices are worth giving, for just one year.

I thank the Lord for bringing me into this point of my life. A point where I do not only teach, but I’m being taught as well; a point where I could see life in its most colorful state; a point where I could say that I have tried to crossed the lines from selfishness to selflessness; a point where I could agree with Rizal that the youth are the hope of this nation; a point where I could say that my generation could make a difference.

I did not emerge from a wealthy family not even from upper middle nor lower middle class; probably, I am from one of the lowest decile in the society. You might find this strange or same may even address this as insanity. If that would be the case I’m choosing to be crazy being a servant of my fellow than to be sane yet lacks profoundness.