I was so blessed to hear Sis. Elvie’s testimony during our Midweek Service last Wednesday. She’s just a three-month old Christian and has been attending church for quite sometime. Actually, she was referred to us by 700 Club, being a partner-church here in our place. At first, I saw her with a very stern, cynical and critical look when she attended the Afternoon Service. I didn’t know that by that time she’s undergoing so many difficulties and upheavals in her life particularly in her family. I didn’t expect that she’ll be attending the Afternoon Service regularly after her first visit. Then one Sunday, she got interested with the Music Workshop and she approached me after the Service and inquired about it. Moreover, she decided to enrol her son to the workshop for drums. After that, I never thought anything special would take place with her unnoticeable attendance in the church.
However, last Wednesday, when I called for those who want to testify God’s greatness in their lives she eagerly raised her hand. So I was surprised and called her immediately. She started with a shaky voice and said,
“Sasabog ang dibdib ko kung hindi ko ito mai-shashare sa inyo… Ma-guiguilty ako kung hindi ko man lang ma-share ang ginawa ni Lord sa buhay ko…”
in an apologetic tone. Then, I eagerly listened to her testimony. I discovered that she has been a widow for almost a year. Her husband died last August 19, 2007 (the same date with the church’s anniversary) due to lung cancer. She testified about God’s faithfulness and providence in spite the whole enigmatic and tragic experience that they had. God took care of their finances. Imagine, she just prayed for a certain price to be charged as their hospital bill and God exactly granted her prayer. Then, she started to search for God and she called 700 Club for assistance. Furthermore, after the counseling session by 700 Club, she was referred to attend to our church. She told me that at her first visit in our church, she felt something strange. She felt a new atmosphere where she believed that God’s presence is moving in the said place. During the altar call, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Lo and behold, she became a Christian. Afterwards, her faith was tested for the first time during the Offering Portion of the Service. She said,
“Wala na talaga akong pera sa bulsa ko nun, kasi balak ko pang mag-grocery sa Mercury
After giving it all, she went straight to Mercury Drug to buy something. She said,
“Lord, binigay ko na po ang lahat, Kayo na po ang bahala.”
When she’s about to pay for the items she got, she accidentally found her money inserted on one of the pockets of her Bible. Take note, the amount she found was twice the amount that she gave during the offering.
Thankful for the provision, she realized that she will never become a true Christian if not for the tragic situation that happened to her life. Admittedly, she said that she had been so dependent to her husband for everything. She didn’t have the time to talk to God and trust Him for all their needs, because she has been so dependent to her husband. She said,
“Alam niyo po, kung hindi dahil sa nangyaring pagkamatay ng asawa ko, siguro hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako ma-boBorn Again at hindi pa rin ako magtitiwala sa Kanya. Pero mali ako, dapat nung una pa lang nagsimula na ako ng tamang relasyon sa Kanya. Alam ko hindi pa naman huli ang lahat kaya ngayon sinisimulan ko na, pati na rin ang mga anak ko.”
Towards the end of her testimony, she said that she doesn’t want just to be blessed financially but she wants to know more and have a deeper relationship with her God.
After the Midweek Service, she joyfully approached me and said,
“…kaya gusto kong ma-involve yung anak kung bunso na panay ang DOTA at barkada. Sabi ko sa kanya na mayroong willing magturo sa kanyang mag-drums sa church. Natuwa siya nung sinabi ko yun. Kaya madali siyang napapunta sa church. Tapos, excited na rin siya umattend ng COLOURS ba ‘yun? Yung gawain ng mga kabataan, kasi na-bless siya nung Anniversary niyo nung Sunday parang nasa concert daw siya at andaming tao na kumakanta, tumatalon at sumasayaw ng mga worship songs..”
After I heard those words come out of her lips, I saw her hunger and thirst to know more about God and to serve and obey Him in all things. What struck me about her story is that when she said,
“…minsan kung anu o sinu pa yung sinasandalan at pinagkakatiwalaan ng buhay mo higit kaysa sa Kanya, yun yung inaalis Niya sa buhay mo.. Masakit sa una, pero mabuti na rin yun para matauhan ka at matutunan mo na dumepende sa Panginnon dahil wala ka naman talagang magagawa kung wala Siya buhay mo. Sa huli, ikaw lang magdurusa kapag hindi ka sumunod sa Kanya…Mahihirapan ka lang mag-adjust kung ipinagpipilitan mo ang gusto at pinagbigyan ka Niya, tapos nag-fail yung pinagpipilitan mo…”
where there are NO 'IFs' and 'BUTs'.
Complete trust.
Simple Obedience.
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