God Likes Using the Ordinary: Reflections During My Book Launch

"Why me, Lord? I'm just an ordinary breastfeeding mom. I'm not a doctor. I'm not a lactation expert or a certified breastfeeding peer counselor even."

 

That was my initial reaction when God first inspired me to write a book on breastfeeding. I have just achieved my breastfeeding goal then for my firstborn son. I thought that it would be helpful if there would be a book by a Filipina author on breastfeeding where inspiring stories of breastfeeding moms who went through various challenges but succeeded in achieving their breastfeeding goals would be shared. I was convinced that this was a good idea. But I was not convinced that this book should be written by me.

 

It took me some time before I acted on this idea and owned it to become one of my dreams. In the course of owning it and embracing it as one of the dreams that God planted in my heart, I came to realize what an enormous task God has entrusted to me. I felt overwhelmed countless times throughout my journey of finishing this book. Then, as I invested more time in this book project, God revealed to me one of His reasons for choosing an ordinary breastfeeding mom like me to write this book.

 

God likes using the ordinary...

and that includes ME.

 

I pondered on this revelation and reminder. I was led to reflect on the people whom God used throughout the course of history. He used shepherds, fishermen, prostitutes, tax collectors, sinners, ordinary mothers and fathers. Not all of them were credible, competent or worthy based on the world's standards. Yet, God chose to use them. God chose to send them out on a mission. They may not be qualified but God chose to qualify them. They were not able at first; but God eventually enabled them.

 

God simply asked them to be available, to be at His disposal, to use whatever they have and offer what little they have to Him. And whatever they offered as part of their service to Him, God blessed and multiplied so that His purpose was fulfilled.

 

This revelation and reminder from God enabled and empowered me to carry out my task and complete my latest book in spite of the challenges I faced along the way. I would call these truths to mind every time I was feeling insecure and inadequate.

 

I also realized that another possible reason why God chose to use an ordinary mom like me to write this book on breastfeeding is because more moms can possibly relate to me or understand me because of my ordinariness. The book I wrote is not a technical book on breastfeeding. It was written from the perspective of a breastfeeding Filipino mom telling her breastfeeding story with the hope that by sharing her experience, she would be able to make a difference to other moms who may be struggling as well in their own breastfeeding journey. An ordinary breastfeeding mom reaching out to another breastfeeding mom.

The cover photo in my book's Facebook Page.

 

I grew in conviction as I pondered on these things. Then, God showed His mercy and favor once more to me by speaking to my heart through a couple of talks by our community's leader (Bo Sanchez).

 

I remember vividly how tears rolled down my cheeks as He gave a talk on Significance. He said that we need not wait until we are successful in all aspects or successful to the point that we have reached the highest level of success in one area to work towards becoming significant in the lives of others. He said that we can be significant by simply helping others get to where we are. Wow! What powerful message! It was powerful enough to push me forward whenever thoughts of insecurity fill my mind.

 

Yes, I'm not a doctor. Yes, I'm not a lactation expert. Yes, I'm not a certified breastfeeding peer counselor. BUT, I have succeeded in reaching my breastfeeding goals for my two sons. I have succeeded in overcoming a number of breastfeeding challenges in the past four years. That's where my goal and my mission stems from. My mission is to help fellow breastfeeding moms reach or achieve their breastfeeding goals by inspiring them through my story and the stories of other moms whom I featured in my book.

 

Then, I heard another talk in one of our community gatherings that helped God's message to me to become deeply rooted in my heart. It was given again by our leader Bo Sanchez. He said, "God has cancelled the audition. You're in!" He also said that while we are busy with our ordinary tasks, God can at any time anoint us and call us to be on a mission for Him. That was my experience! That's exactly what God did to me. While I was busy breastfeeding, homeschooling and working from home, God anointed me and called me to write this book. I didn't audition or try out for the part. I'm glad that the audition or qualifying tests were cancelled. For I would not pass if I would be tested based on the world's standards. God simply said to me through that talk, "You're in! You got the part! Go, and fulfill your mission!"

 

After several months, I have finished my book BREASTFEEDING: A Journey Worth Taking. It was time to launch it into the world and share God's message that mothers were amazingly and miraculously made by Him to nourish and nurture their kids through their breasts.

 

I was blessed and privileged to be given the opportunity to share about my book at the BIG DAY of our community's latest talk series. I was awed by God's perfect plan and timing once more for one of the main messages in our recent talk series is about how wonderfully made we all are. The speakers/main preachers talked about how God looks at us differently compared to the people of this world. They shared how we can focus more on God's truths by deleting the negative thoughts that enter our minds.

 

I remember the question asked by my brother and friend in the community and the Feast Builder for Feast Ortigas' PM Session. He asked, "Have you experienced rejection? Have you experienced being scrutinized from head to toe and vice versa? Have you experienced being judged as not measuring up to standards?" I think most, if not all, people there at Robinson's Galleria Cinema 3 answered yes to his questions. Because that's how the world operates. The world's standards are simply different from our Lord's. Thus, it's important for us to know the truth about ourselves, about our worth, about what God wants us to do and what He expects from us. For in the end, what truly matters is that we live our lives for God and not for anyone or anything else. God wants us to live our lives confident of our calling/anointing, bearing fruit based on the gifts He has blessed us with.

 

The video clip showed during The Big Day of our latest talk series moved me to tears as well. It was a video of Susan Boyle at Britain's Got Talent. The video showed the audience laughing at her. Maybe they laughed because she looked unqualified to be standing there. Maybe they were wondering why someone who looks so ordinary had the guts to join the talent search. But their laughter eventually turned to applause and tears even after she proved them wrong in laughing at her or judging her to be unworthy or unqualified.

 

Then, just before I was called to speak and share about my book at the PM Session, the worship leader talked about how even in our ordinariness we can make a difference. Bull's eye!

 

I felt as if the stage was set for me... that God was the director of my book launch and He has stationed/moved His angels (my brothers and sisters in the community) to help us put things in place.

 

 

I praise and thank my God for standing by me and making a way for me. I thank Him for the honor and the privilege to be used even in my ordinariness. May He be glorified as I bring His message to more moms here and abroad. May His magnificence shine through my ordinariness.

 

"Not to me, not to me, but to His name be glory!"

Note: I'm linking this post to the Catholic Bloggers Network Monthly Link up Blitz for November 2013.

Mustard Seed

We walked fast towards the mall entrance and zigzagged around many people inside the mall as soon as we got off the taxi that brought us to SM City Sucat.  We did our best not to give in to the temptation to stop and check out the numerous merchandise that were on sale and on display.  We thought that we were already late for the Mass last Friday.  Good thing that the Mass did not start right away.  We had some time to settle on our seats and catch our breath before it began.

 

I was all ears as soon as the Mass started and especially during Father Eric Santos’ homily.  Father Eric was his usual self, making people laugh every so often with his funny remarks.  But I like it the most when he delivers his beautiful insights and teachings in between his jokes.

 

Mark 4:31 says, “It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”  One of the things that Father Eric said about the mustard seed struck me.  He said that each one of us can be that mustard seed if we choose to die to ourselves and our selfishness.  When we do that, we can grow like the mustard seed into a “large plant” that can bless others. 

Photo source here.

 

I was also moved by an example that he shared in relation to the verses in the Gospel that says, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.” (Mark 4:26-27)  Father Eric used the fertilization of an egg cell by a sperm as his example.  He said that it’s how life begins and yet the husband and wife do not really see how the baby grows inside the womb every day. They only get to see the baby during the ultrasound.  But that is done only a few times in the course of nine months.  God causes the baby to grow and in that process of procreation, the husband and wife joins God in bringing new life to the world.

 

I thought that this is similar to what we Christians do every day as we live our lives doing our best to proclaim the Good News in our lives.  It’s like planting seeds on different kinds of soil as we meet and interact with different kinds of people.  It is not us who cause these seeds to grow.  We can only do our best to expose it to the right elements and to diligently water and care for it.  How the seeds will grow are beyond our control.

 

The same is true when we evangelize others.  We do not have control on their responses.  But we can make the love of God and the words of Jesus alive through the lives that we live.  Sometimes, God allows us to see tangible results of our labor of love for the Kingdom.  Most of the time, however, we do not know how we are impacting the lives of those we meet.

 

Through the Gospel last Friday and Father Eric’s homily, I was reminded and inspired by God to just keep on planting seeds and to trust that by doing this, I am partnering with Him in bringing forth new life in this world.

 

Let me share my prayer to God that night: “Lord, make me that mustard seed… Help me die to sin and my selfish ways; so that I could grow into a large plant that can bless many for Your glory, honor and praise. Amen.”

 

(Author's note: This reflection was featured/published today in Feast Sucat's Bulletin.)

Update: I recently discovered Catholic Bloggers Network when I joined the Keep Love in Lent blog link up. I also found out that they have Monthly Link Up Blitz this 2013. So, I'm adding this post to the Catholic Bloggers Monthly Link Up Blitz for February 2013 under the Readings and Reflections category.

A Perfect Time to Witness

I felt a strong urge last week to share about the good things that are happening in my life by the grace of God.  I told a sister in our community of my desire to share as well as the blessings God has been showering upon me and my family.  Shortly after I sent her my text message, she sent me back her reply that I will be scheduled to share my testimony the following Friday.  That's tonight!

 

And guess what? I woke up today to very affirming messages from two of the sites I regularly visit as part of my morning prayer routine.

 

The first one is Loyola Press 3 Minute Retreat.  I was particularly struck with today's retreat title, Word Became Flesh.  It struck me because that was the heart of my sharing tonight!  God making His promises alive and fulfilling His Word.  Amazing!

 

Let me share some more lines that empowered and inspired me.

 

We are gifted with glimpses of God's glory and grace and truth.  In our experiences of love, we see the "Word become flesh" with our own eyes... Sharing our experiences keeps them alive and helps them act as witnesses to the glory of the Word made flesh.

 

Then, it goes on further to ask: What glimpses of God's glory and grace and truth have you seen recently?  How would you describe that experience to someone?

 

I was amazed even more and filled with much joy and excitement for the task given to me by God as I read and meditated on the readings for the day and the reflections at Kerygma Family's site.

 

The reflection today featured this verse: “For you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard.” – Acts 22:15-16

 

The prayer at the end of the reflection inspired me  too for I know that through my simple sharing/story, I could lead people to God.  Here's the prayer:

 

Lord God, grant me the courage to lead others to You… now.

 

The Psalm for today echoes God's call to me:

 

Psalm 117:1, 2

R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

 

The Gospel Acclamation affirms God's call once more.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

 

Last but not least, the Gospel story and the reflection in Sabbath about the Gospel which was about the conversion and life of St. Paul encourages me to continue living my life passionately seizing every opportunity (and sometimes creating opportunities) to spread the Good News or the Gospel of Christ.

 

I praise and thank God for another opportunity to witness for Him and His mighty deeds.  I pray that God would put the right words in my mouth tonight and His Holy Spirit would guide me so that as I share my experience of God's graciousness, mercy and love to me and my family, I would lead more people to Christ and inspire them to trust in Him more.

 

Glory to God!

 

P.S.

Find out what I plan to share tonight at Feast Sucat by clicking here. 

God Supplies

Our grocery supplies were running out.  It should not be a problem if the money in our bank account was not also running out.  There were things that we needed to pay the following week.  Can we delay payment for these?  I explored that option because if we choose to pay for all the things we needed to pay the following week, we might not have enough grocery money until my husband’s salary comes.  I had been thinking for hours how to further stretch our budget.  I felt worry and panic slowly creeping in.  I was surprised to find myself in that situation that day.  Then, I decided not to give in to worry or panic and told our maid to help me get the kids and our things ready because we’re attending The Feast in Sucat. 

 

Originally, it was our plan to attend Talk #1 of the new talk series in PICC.  But we missed it.  Good thing that there is already a Feast near our place in Sucat.  As I listened to Brother Adrian give Talk #1 of the Guaranteed Talk Series, which was about Supply, I realized why God allowed our family to miss the talk in PICC.  Hearing the powerful and encouraging message of Talk #1 of the series would have greater impact on me and my husband that day because that day we experienced a great need for God to supply for our needs.

 

Then, it was time to give our love offering.  My husband and I had been tithing since we were still single and we had been doing our best to be faithful in giving our tithes until now that we are married with two kids.  I was so inspired that night when we were reminded of the widow in the Bible who gave all that she had -- her two small coins.  I felt God remind me through the talk and especially through that passage that we should always give from our need and not our excess.  Part of me was tempted to entertain thoughts like “you already do not have enough grocery money for the coming weeks even if you don’t give tonight,” “you have already given 10% in tithes the last time you attended,” “how will you pay for the things that are due next week?”  Praise God for giving me and my husband the grace to still give that night out of faith that God will supply for our needs as we choose to support The Feast with whatever little that we have and trust in His love, mercy and provision.  What we gave that night was not big but we definitely gave from our need and not from our excess. 

 

And as we often say at our gatherings, God proved once more that He cannot be outdone in generosity.  We received a very pleasant surprise from God the following day!  We found a confirmed buyer for our car minutes after my husband and I agreed that we will tell (text) our friends and relatives that we are going to sell our car already so we can buy a bigger vehicle for our growing family.  Thus, the following day, God did not only give us what we need (grocery money) but also what we wanted and prayed for (additional money to pay for the bigger vehicle that we want)! 

 

“God has the power to provide you with every gracious gift in abundance, so that always in every way you will have all you need yourselves and be able to provide abundantly for every good cause.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (CJB) This verse was made real once more in our family that weekend.

 

That fateful Friday, God blessed me and my husband with spiritual blessings such as faith, courage, peace and hope.  The next day, God gave us financial blessings!    We were able to buy a nebulizer for our baby aside from finding a confirmed buyer for our car.  But God’s blessings and favors did not stop that day!  On Sunday, I sold a copy of my book and got additional orders.  I received inquiries and requests for viewing of the condo unit we were selling.  On Monday, I got an email from one of my potential clients asking me to send a formal proposal for the change management workshop they want me to conduct for their executives. This one was a surprise because I thought that this potential client already got a different facilitator because he told me before Christmas that he wants the workshop done on the third week of January.  Apparently, the target date for the workshop was moved and he was still considering me.  I got to pay our bills that were due that week.  A number of friends and contacts helped us get discounts and freebies for the new vehicle we wanted to buy.  I had a very productive week as a writer.  I was able to finish the Filipino translations of my reflections for Gabay.  I finished the article that was due that week and submitted it to my editor earlier than the deadline.  On top of that, I was able to write several entries for my blog and I was inspired to write another book review for one of the online publications where I’m a contributing writer.  Moreover, the articles I recently submitted to my editors were published right away that week.  I even had new inspirations for one of the book projects I’m working on.  Plus, the international publisher of the prayer book I edited last year paid me the long overdue balance of my editing fee.  What’s more, my family received a lot of gifts (including cash gift) from my godmother/ninang who arrived from Europe last week.  These are just a sample of the abundant blessings we received from God that week after we chose to give from our need and trust in His divine providence, believing that as we seek His Kingdom and His righteousness first, everything else will follow.  This post would become too long if I choose to enumerate all the blessings God showered upon us that week and if I explain why they are each miracles from God and proofs of His timely and faithful provision.

 

“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.” Hebrews 6:10 (NLT)

 

I’m still very much amazed until now as I recall all that God has blessed us after that talk about God supplying all our needs according to His riches.  I praise and thank God for allowing me and my family to experience the truth behind the talks in our Guaranteed Talk Series.  Today, I have greater conviction that God will indeed always supply all our needs, including what we need to make our dreams come true!

A Time to Bloom

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven

New International Version (©1984)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

New Living Translation (©2007)
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

These are different versions of one of my favorite Bible verses, Ecclesiastes 3:1.  I was reminded of this verse last Sunday at The Feast as I listened to Bo Sanchez's talk in PICC.  It was talk number 2 in the Guaranteed talk series and he was talking about finding solutions to our problems.  He said that we need to be patient and not take matters into our own hands when we should be seeking long-term and God-solutions to our problems.  He said that sometimes in our desire to solve our problems right away, we create bigger problems.  But when we choose to trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding, we eventually find God-solutions to our problems.

This teaching and reminder at The Feast last Sunday was further reinforced by God to me through my orchid, which I named Pinky.  If you have been following my blog, you would know by now that our orchid unexpectedly bore flowers again.  It's the second time that it did in a span of one year.  (Click here and here to read more about how God has spoken to me in the past through my wonderful orchid, Pinky.)  Pinky had six buds.  Each bud bloomed beautifully one or two at a time.  This week, the last two buds bloomed.  Pinky took my breathe away one morning as I looked outside my bedroom window and saw that all her flowers are finally in full bloom.

Our orchid, Pinky, in full bloom, set against the early evening sky.

That same day, two sisters who are potential buyers for the condominium unit we are selling viewed our unit.  I wished deep in my heart that they would be the buyers we had been waiting and praying for.  It has been a while, years in fact, that we had been trying to sell our condominium unit.  There are days when I feel impatient as well because I wanted to move to our new house as soon as possible.  That day, God reminded me to be still and remember that there is a time for everything and that He has appointed when all things will happen.  He reminded me that as I do my best to find a buyer for our remaining condominium unit, He will do the rest.  He will provide a God-solution, a long-term solution to my family's problem.

I still do not know who among the potential buyers who inquired about our condominium and viewed our unit these past days will be our final buyer.  But I choose to be patient and wait patiently for God's perfect plans to unfold before my eyes.  In the same way that it takes time for a plant to flower and for the buds of a flower to bloom, I recognize that sometimes it takes some time before our dreams and goals are fulfilled.  I will not take matters into my own hands.  I will wait on the Lord.  Thank God, He reminded me through Brother Bo's talk and through our orchid.  If I forced Pinky's buds to open because I can't wait for them to bloom in their own time, I would have destroyed it's flowers and maybe even the plant.  I don't want that to happen to our dream house.  Thus, I choose to be still while doing my best according to the abilities and gifts that God has given me to do my share to make my dreams come true and reach my goals.  I trust that in God's time, we will find the best buyer for our condominium and we would be able to move to our new house.

In the meantime, I gaze at Pinky's beautiful flowers in full bloom every day to remind myself of these lessons God taught/reminded me recently.  There is a time for everything... a time to bloom... a time to move... a time for our dreams to come true... a time for our prayers to be granted.  May God's promises to me unfold at the most perfect time.

Counting on God to Fulfill My Dreams

I prayed the song I'm Counting On God last Thursday night before I started working on one of my articles.  I was pressed for time because my article was due the following day.  I've been trying to work the whole week but I found it very difficult because we only have one maid now and we have two kids to take care of aside from the house chores that need to be done.  I was somehow in panic mode and getting worried over my deadlines -- articles for magazines and the deliverables for my current HR project (job descriptions, company policies and training program).  I was also thinking of how we'll settle the balance for our townhouse which is due at the end of the month.  (You may click here and here to know the story behind this move we made out of faith in God.) Aside from these, I have started working on book projects that God inspired me to work on together with some friends.  With all these concerns in my mind, I chose to stop and simply told God that I can in no way do all or finish the things that I need to do without His help and grace.  I knew deep inside that I can count on God to empower me to do all that He has called me to do at this time of my life.  I was confident in God's strength and power to deliver me and my family from our worries and troubles.  I was confident in His provisions even though I do not have the amount I need yet in my pockets.  I let my soul soak in the message of the song as I listened to it repeatedly while reading some materials and while working on my article.

 

The following day, I read this message in my desk calendar:

"Test me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows..." - Malachi 3:10 (NASB)

 

It was very timely.  The temptation not to tithe regularly is strong when we experience financial challenges.  But through this verse, God reminded me that as I give to Him faithfulfully, acknowledging that all good things come from Him, He will provide for my needs and that of our family.

 

I continued to work on my article.  I wanted to go to Mass that day and I prayed that I'd be able to submit my article early so I can make it to the Mass at Feast Sucat and listen to the talk on Unlimited Earthly Rewards.  I could not explain why I had a strong prompting last Friday to attend Feast Sucat at SM Sucat.  My family and I normally attend The Feast at PICC on Sundays.  We missed the talk last Sunday because we celebrated my eldest son's birthday.  I finished it by afternoon of Friday.  I yielded to the Holy Spirit's leading and went to SM Sucat with my kids.  We met my husband there since he came from work.  It was our first time to attend there.

 

I felt happy when I heard the song Shout to the Lord being played while waiting for the Mass to start.  God usually used that song  in my past experiences to assure me of a victory or to usher in the unfolding of a miracle or prophecy to be fulfilled.  I participated in the Mass with joyful anticipation.

 

Then, the worship started.  I was pleasantly surprised when the first song sang was the very same song I had been singing in my time of prayer -- I'm Counting on God!  I danced and sang my heart out during the worship.  I felt that God has honored my prayer and is telling me that I have done the right thing to count on Him to provide for my needs and fulfill my dreams.

  

   

The second worship song sang moved me to tears.  The song was Who You Are.  It was a spirit-filled and powerful worship.  Listen to the song here and you'll know why. :)

The talk started and I was amazed at how perfect the talk was for me and my family's situation.  After the talk, it was very clear to me why God allowed us to miss the talk in PICC.  He wanted us to listen to Rissa Singson-Kawpeng give the talk because the anecdotes she will share will be perfect for our concerns.  She shared about her parents' challenge before to finish building their house and how God provided for their need.  She also talked about tithing and the lessons that we can learn from the farm.  Guess what verse she highlighted during her talk?

 "Test me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows..." - Malachi 3:10 (NASB)

Isn't that amazing?  Perfect timing again!  Only God can orchestrate these things!  She shared some more stories and her testimony on how God has shown His faithfulness to her through the years.  I could not help but be encouraged and affirmed since like her, I have sowed in the past years since I was a teenager when I committed my life to the Lord as a college student.  Now, I continue to sow and plant and I feel that God is encouraging me to keep on doing so and expect great rewards even here on earth because He cannot be outdone in generosity and goodness.

 

Here's another passage that was quoted as part of the talk:

 “I promise you,” returned Jesus, “nobody leaves home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property for my sake and the Gospel’s without getting back a hundred times over, now in this present life, homes and brothers and sisters, mothers and children and land—though not without persecution—and in the next world eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30 emphasis mine)

It was an empowering and inspiring talk!  God knew what I needed to hear and He moved heaven and earth to pave the way for me to be there last Friday night.  My heart was filled with thanksgiving and joy.

I came out of SM Sucat's Cinema 4 with a stronger resolve to give to the Lord what is due Him and not to cheat Him by giving less than 10 percent of what we earned this past month/days.  It will be another leap of faith but I'm confident that God will pour out blessing upon blessing upon my family and He can multiply what we have given and are about to give a hundredfold!  And if it is His will, my family would be spending and celebrating Christmas this year in our new house (one of my dreams). :)

I continue to count on God for my many dreams to be fulfilled!  My God is much greater than any of my needs or dreams.  He only needs to will them and my dreams will be fulfilled.  Let me end with a verse I love and used as inspiration when I reserved the new house we got (which sister Rissa quoted during her talk as well): "According to your faith will it be done to you." (Matthew 9:29)
 

UPDATE: In less than 3 weeks after I wrote this post, we found a buyer for one of the condominium units we were selling.