Tag: encourage

Made for Relationships

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When I moved to Manila to work, I didn’t have any immediate family with me nor friends that I can live with. I was basically on my own at the start. It wasn’t an easy move and I can still clearly remember that I wanted to go home to Bacolod during my first week of stay. I got so homesick as it was my first time to really be away from family.

Eventually, I made a lot of friends from my work, from where I used to stay and from church. As months went by, I realized how important to have people who would continue to guide you and even become accountable for you. That’s when I decided to join in a small group. And being part of it really helped me in my continuous stay here in Manila.

The small group became my spiritual family. It is composed of people who show genuine love and concern towards each other. In the group, we share our victories and trials to one another to be able to encourage each other. We pray for each other and help each other in our walk with the Lord. There is nothing so extraordinary in a small group except the common factor why we meet together – Jesus Christ.

I’m glad that I made that decision to be part of a small group. It’s not just about meeting together, talking about our lives, doing fun stuff together, a small group is more than that. It’s a privilege to be a blessing to different people. It’s a privilege of knowing God through other people who share the same passion for the Lord.

Indeed, we are all created for relationships. We are not meant to be alone. If right now, you feel like you don’t have friends, or you’re too far away from your family or you just really feel alone, and you’ve been invited to be part of something like this, give it a chance. It’s more than an invitation, it’s a privilege.

In small groups, we don’t just gain friends, we grow with friends.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

 

These are the different small groups I’ve been with and still with. It’s just amazing growing old with such beautiful women, some have gotten married already, one had kid, some had left the city, some had returned, some still stayed single :), but despite of the changes, the journey of encouraging, praying for each other and lifting up one another never changes.

Truth is, our lives together go beyond the small circle of group. 🙂 🙂 🙂

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28: A Little Push

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Just this September, I was blessed with 2 weeks of vacation. A vacation that my friend, Anni and I had been planning even before I left Vancouver. Anni was visiting Philippines for the first time and we made sure she maximizes her whole stay. Well, I really hope she did. (Looks like… 😀 )

Just to back track a little bit, January of this year, I got challenged by Anni to do snowboarding. You can read my story – Overcoming Fear. I never wanted to do it because I felt like I might just injure myself and I simply can’t do it. But she somehow believed I might be able to do it. So, I took the challenge. Well, no regrets, so far.

Now, back to our September trip. We really had so much fun in the different places that we’ve been to. But as for me, my favorite would really be in Boracay. Anni wanted to try all the water sports, doesn’t matter how extreme it could be. She loves some challenge. I, myself, was never a risk taker. I like activities within my control. But when you’re with someone who is so excited in doing challenging things, it could get contagious. Well, except for one that she couldn’t really make me do – helmet diving. Big NO because I’m a bit claustrophobic.

It’s good to have someone who could give you that little kick and push to make you go out of your comfort zone, especially when you travel. 🙂 It’s not like someone is forcing you to do something you don’t want to do. It’s having someone believing in you that you can do it. Or else, you would miss all the fun. 🙂

Just like our Heavenly Father, He sometimes gives us a little push on our faith so that we take that step out of our comfort zone. It is only when we take that step that we will see what God was preparing for us. If you feel like no one believes in who you can be and what you can accomplish, trust that God does.

 “Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” – Deut 31:6

No matter what kind of travel you are in right now, important is you try to conquer whatever it is that is hindering you to your destination. And if you know someone who needs to hear the words, “I believe in you.”, be sensitive and sincere. The power of encouragement can really make a difference. And I’m always grateful to God for the people around me who continue to encourage and believe in me.  🙂

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Here’s a glimpse of some of our Boracay adventures. I was really scared to do the para sailing but when we were at the top, I don’t want to go down anymore. I really enjoyed it. 🙂