I Am Blessed to Bless

I was taught to give ten percent of my income in a day or a month or a year or the ten percent of whatever my hands will receive. I was taught by my parents and by the Bible that I must give my Tithes.

I was taught to always give during offering times in Sunday School, Children's Church, Fellowships, Conventions, Church Services and the like. I was also taught by my parents and by the Bible that I must also give whenever Missions' Offerings and Special Offerings are being collected. And that I must not forget that giving Love Gifts in any form: monetary, material things, food and the like are very important to let the people in Christ's Service know that they are thought of.

I was taught by my Lord through His teachings that a cheerful heart that gives to God will be blessed. And I believe that blessings are given to me so that I can give back to Him all the blessings I'm receiving.

That's how good my Lord is.

What Dengue Taught Me

Wala ako ka-ide-idea ano ang dengue. Just basic na it is caused by a dengue-carrier-mosquito bite. Ni sa isip ko I never dreamed na magkakadengue ako or sinuman sa pamilya ko. Until one day, I was in Bukidnon when my husband called me saying my daughter needs to be admitted dahil mababa platelet count nya. That instance I knew it's already dengue. That very same day I traveled back to Davao City. I was expecting to see my child having tubes and wires all over her arms, hands and feet and was also thinking that she can't afford to move her limbs.

As I entered the hospital's room I searched for my child's face, she's smiling yet her eyes were a bit weary. She's been watching the hospital's cable television and she's repeating all over the word "DORA". Then a male nurse said, "She has no dextrose? This is my first time to see a baby in this hospital diagnosed of dengue that has no IV inserted." As of that moment, Reese was given Pedialyte or ORS as her supplement.

That afternoon, my child's platelet count dropped to its lowest. Her doctor said if it'll reach the alarming number of count she will be forced to order for Reese to have dextrose. Texts, calls and visits from our families, relatives and friends flocked. Prayers, moral and even financial support were offered. But my feelings were at its worst, I was almost blaming my husband even our house helper. That time also, I and my brother in-law Ralph who's in Korea were exchanging news about his niece thru Chikka.com. I was on my final brink of disappointment and told him, "As of now I don't know what to feel." to which he said, "A mother's prayer for her children means a lot to God." As I was left alone inside the room with my sleeping daughter I took the chance to made a wee prayer with tears and a mother's love for her child to God. I told Him, "Lord, do not let this happen to us. Ako na lang, wag lang ang anak ko." Because the moment I heard what the doctor had said, the next word I had think about was 'death'.

After my silent cries to Him, I have felt that I am NOT the only one on bended knees in prayers for my child.I knew it then that the angels are with me along with the people in support. That evening, Reese's platelet count started to grow in numbers, then the following morning another improvement. It was our second day in the hospital because of dengue, the doctor already issued an order to discharge my daughter from the hospital but I requested for another one day extension saying I'd like to be sure. Ina ako, I need to be sigurista. For our third day, me, my husband and our daughter Reese gobbled a 12-inch pizza.

These are the things I realized while looking at my daughter's face who's asleep in her hospital bed:

1. Bad situations will get worse if you look for person/s to blame and if you're a fault-finder.

2. Do not let worries hinder your thoughts to think positive.

3. Relax during difficult times. Look on the brighter side.

4. Lift everything to God. He cares for you. He cares for those you care for.

5. Our God never sleeps. He never slumbers.

6. Prayer changes things. 

7. God favors those who trust and have faith in His promises.

Our female dog at home gave birth to a grey puppy with a heart-shaped white hairs on its back a day before my daughter was confined to the hospital. This morning I was thinking to name the puppy Dengue, just a  remembrance of what Dengue had made me realize in life. Hehe. Then, I came up to a name. I am not yet sure of the puppy's genitals. It may be a male or a female but I'll name it Immanuel. God is with us.

Tatlong Tinapay at Isang Bote ng Softdrinks (Three Pieces of Bread & a Bottle of 7-Up)

I was walking fast on the street of Ilustre going to Gaisano South Mall to do my groceries. An old man who’s looking timid and tired met me on my way and said,

“Day, tagai ko og dos palit nako og tinapay kay gigutom na kaayo ko.” (Please give me two pesos to buy bread because I’m so hungry.)

I looked at him. I was thinking I don’t have any loose change in my purse. I have two one thousand bills and a few hundreds. I darted away from him. But as I was nearing the entrance of the mall, I hurriedly ran back to find the old man. Gratefully, he walks slowly inch by inch so I was still able to get a hold of his arm. I said to him,

“Dali, nong palitan ta ka og tinapay.” (Come with me, sir I will buy you bread.)

I wanted to bring him to Minute Burger in front of where we were standing but I noticed he’s too tired already. Gladly there’s a bakeshop a few steps away. I ushered him inside, made him sit and ordered two big monay, one mammon topped with cheese and a 12oz. bottle of 7-Up. He then began to eat and sipped the cold liquid.

Mashfa: Taga asa diay ka, nong? Asa ka gapuyo? (Where do you live?)

Old Man: Sa Bucana sa may boulevard. (In Bucana near boulevard.)

Mashfa: Unsa imong pangalan? (What’s your name?)

Old Man: Rene. Rene Logroso.

Mashfa: Pila na imong edad? (How old are you?)

Old Man: 72.

Mashfa: Asa man imong mga anak? (Where are your children?)

Old Man: Wala ko’y mga anak. (I don’t have children.)

Mashfa: Asa imong asawa? (Where is your wife?)

Old Man: Wala man koy asawa. Tigulang ko ulitawo. (I don’t have a wife. I’m an old bachelor.)

Mashfa: Kung muuli ka sa inyuha kinsa imo kauban sa inyuhang balay? (Who’s with you at home?)

Old Man: Nakipuyo lang ko sa akuang amigo. (I’m staying at my friend’s house.)

Mashfa: Nag-unsa man ka dinhi sa gawas? Asa man diay ka gikan? (What are you doing here on the streets? Where have you been?)

Old Man: Gikan ko sa Bajada nagbisita sa akong ig-agaw. (I went to Bajada to visit my cousin.)

Mashfa: Naglakaw lang ka? (You walked from Bajada to here?)

Old Man: Oo. Exercise man ni, day. (Yes. It’s a form of my exercise.)

(I felt like smiling but I pinched myself not to).

Mashfa: Wala ka nangayo og plete sa imong ig-agaw pauli? (You didn’t ask money from your cousin for your fare going home?)

Old Man: Wala man to sila’y kwarta. (They don’t have money.)

As he was eating..

Old Man: Dili man nako ni mahurot tanan, day. Iuli nalang ni sa tindera. (I can’t eat all the bread you had bought, might as well return them to the saleslady.)

Mashfa: Sige lang, nong balunon nalang nimo. (It’s ok, sir. I’ll have them wrapped for you.)

When he was good to go, I handed him his bread in a plastic and told him I’ll have him ride the jeep going to where he lives, my last offer was declined and said he’d like to walk home since the sun is not visible during those hours.

“Salamat ani, day ha.” (Thank you for this.) Those were his last words to me before turning his back and started to go on his way.

I was relieved but still felt guilty why I hesitated to help the old man the moment he was asking for only two pesos wherein I could buy four to five loaves of bread in a week just for my afternoon snacks at home. 

I traced my steps back to the entrance of the mall and bought stuff for my ones at home. As I was searching for my wallet to pay the cashier for my purchases, I saw the receipt issued to me by the bakeshop where I bought snack for the old man. It was 48 PhP. I paid the mall 2, 000 PhP.

For the last two weeks of this January, this was my second time to be in a situation like this. Only with the first, I had let it pass. I wasn’t able to help the old man.

Lord, have your way in me. Make me a channel of Your never-ending blessing. I’ll always be of service.