We are now treading the path of the year 2023. And thank God for giving us this wonderful chance to have the glimpse of another beautiful year. We have just started the year right and bright. We just let go of everything that is not good and bring along with us what is essential in life. We did not win the battle that easy as the struggle is real. We have used all our strength and exercised our faith so well to win every battle.
I can say that the year 2022 was like a roller coaster ride. What I did was get buckled tight and ride all its ups and downs.
In August it was my first time to venture into raising hogs for just a few heads because it was somehow costly. This I thought would somehow help our living. Everything just went well. The hogs were growing fast and healthy.
When out of nowhere the African swine fever rose in a nearby town and spread so fast in many other neighbouring towns. Many hog raisers lost their capital when their affected hogs were killed and buried. Even in non-affected areas the hogs were bargained in cheaper price.
I was really worried and stressed. I just prayed so hard that God may spare our town from African swine fever and my hogs may not get sick or just mercilessly die. My prayer reached heavens and was heard. Even if I disposed my hogs in cheaper price I was thankful for at least the capital was returned.
Sometimes I wondered why the disease emerged during a time I decided to raise hogs. When I was into small business, the pandemic came. My plans are always tested and challenged as if they keep on chasing and trying to ruin my plans.
As human I also got tired and felt hopeless but all I can do is surrender everything to God and I realise that for what God has lent us, he can always take it back anytime.
If God entrusts us something, we always make sure we use it well to help and bless others. God never allows problem to happen beyond our capacity to solve or handle. God sees us through every crisis of life. He hears and listens even in the silence of our diappointments and frustrations. His plan is far better than we think. No matter how unkind time maybe there is no way of giving up.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
We should never stop doing good. When God blesses, no one can ever stop it, for the grace of God is always enough and sufficient. We will just enjoy the rides of life.
Have a happy and smooth sailing journey for 2023!
Lynn Salinas-Batoliño
The Philippines
