Sometimes I wish I was famous, because of the perks that come along with it. 

But then again, being famous means people watch your every move. 

Impossible is nothing, when you give God everything

It all started with a request. 

Having grown up around basketball practically my whole life, I have become slightly immune to the sport. I think when you’ve been exposed to it very young, you can only become one of two things - you’re either immune, or you get into it a lot. However, I enjoy watching games when I know something’s at stake. In this case, I was watching it because it was the NBA finals between Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks. 

Both my sister and my dad were for the Heat, and since I was never really rooting for any team, I decided to root for them too, supporting my family’s choice. So there I was, watching the live stream of the games from my computer despite the bad internet connection which was causing the stream to lag. I would watch until the end, including the post game interviews. And by the 3rd or 4th game, I realized something I never noticed before - the great character of one man. 

Maybe it was because he was part-Filipino, or maybe because he was the leader of such a controversial team. Whatever the reason, Coach Erik Spoelstra intrigued me. As a leader myself, I marveled at his ability to be calm under so much pressure and criticism. All throughout the games, he portrayed an image of integrity, humility, and heart. He did not bad mouth people, and when the results of the finals came, he knew how to accept defeat with grace. He was a man I greatly respect. And so, I made a request.

Lord, please let me meet this man. 

And God did. But He did not just allow me to meet him. He gave me so much more. Beyond the story of meeting this man, I am in awe of a great God who loves me as a daughter, with plans that are ultimately greater than mine. 

ANSWERED PRAYER #1

It was an impossible situation. Who could have thought that I would be given the chance to meet someone who lived a whole ocean away? But God provided a way. He used people in my life that I never expected to give me this chance (Thank you Tito Jojo and Tita Butchik!). And one rainy Wednesday afternoon, I met him. :)

God rejoices when we rejoice! It is His desire to make us happy! He wants to give us the desire of our hearts, because that is the kind of God He is! He loves us so much that He wants to always bless us! Unfortunately, sin always gets in the way. Sin changes our desires, and those desires may not be what God wants for us. But in his graciousness and love, He always finds a way for us to come back to him. 

HEALING OF RELATIONSHIPS

For several years, I was living with a thorn in my flesh. I was in a relationship with someone my parents did not approve of. We were ok as a family, but there was always a barrier in our relationship with each other because of my stubbornness. It was difficult to not be able to share the joyous moments of a first love, and not being able to run to them in times of trial for fear I would be told “I told you so.” Eventually, that relationship ended, but not after having gone through so much strife for 6 years. 

For two years God allowed me to heal my relationship with my family, and most especially with my parents. I had to learn again what it meant to be a daughter, and we were able to finally clear the air betweens us. We had a more open relationship with each other, and God made sure to highlight this healing with a bang!

I first told my dad about my admiration for Coach Spo because, as a former professional basketball player, Papa knew what they go through during games. He laughed with me, because I was like a teenager again - I was so giddy! Eventually, I told my whole family about it. And when we found out he was coming to Manila, they were very supportive of my wanting to meet him! This was how supportive my dad was: He went with me to the event, even if it meant waking up early and traveling to Ermita in the midst of a storm, and even took the picture! My mom was unfortunately unable to join us, but it was also evident in her actions that my relationship with her was also restored! I could sense her happiness with me even if I was in a different city! 

God showed me in the biggest way possible that He is in the business of restoring relationships. If this was a reality show, this event was His finale: RELATIONSHIP RESTORED. 

DESTINY REVEALED/ANSWERED PRAYER #2/MORE HEALING

Last May, I was honored to be part of a camp for leaders spearheaded by a group of friends that were mightily being used by God to further His Kingdom. In one of the sessions we had then, we were discussing about knowing your destiny - knowing what God wanted you to do. At that point, I honestly didn’t know! And so, then and there, I knelt and asked Him to reveal to me what my destiny was. And His answer was, be patient, all will be revealed at the right time. I knew, however, that He was preparing me for something HUGE. 

Little did I know what He had planned for me! In June, God decides to jumpstart my heart (a term used by my good friend, Macky)! In the middle of watching a basketball game, of all things, He suddenly decides to shock my heart that has been lying dormant for so long.

Like I mentioned earlier, for the past 2 years, I was in a state of healing, but it was not just my relationships He was healing. More importantly, He was healing my heart! It had been badly bruised and wounded like never before. I gave too much away then, and one by one, He was putting the pieces back together again. But like a heart that has stopped beating, a shot of electricity had to be given to get it beating again.

Now it all makes sense! In one of my prayers in the past, I was asking, why the sudden surge of emotions? Why am I like a teenage girl all giddy about seeing one man? Why is it like high school all over again? And now the reason is clear. God wanted my heart to start beating again, because He had a purpose. He was going to reveal my destiny.

He was making me aware of my core, my heart as a woman. He was stirring in me a lioness he was calling to arise. And what better way to do that?!? He wanted my heart full and beating, and He wanted me to experience the joys I’ve had when I was younger. I had to be reminded of why I am a woman, and what my purpose is. I WAS TO LEAD YOUNGER WOMEN TO BE FELLOW LIONESSES. I now know my destiny, it has been revealed. 

God does not do things randomly for no purpose. THERE IS ALWAYS A HIGHER PURPOSE AND A HIGHER CALLING. And all will work according to His plans. However, we have to listen and obey. 

This is my story, and I know God is not finished with me yet. But beyond the story of my life, I wanted to share with you who God is in my life and what He’s been doing. 

To Coach Spo, although you may not read this ever, I am still thankful that you have unknowingly been used to bring blessings to me and the people around me. May you continue to be a blessing to others, as you have been to me. 

And to anyone who reads this, I have one thing to say. DREAM BIG! Because impossible is nothing, when you give God everything.