Last night, I washed the dishes. In 7 batches.
1. Glasses, utensils, serving spoons, knives
2. Serving bowls
3. Plates
4. Frying pan
5. Salad master
6. Other plates that weren't included in the other batch
7. Water dispenser
My sister cooked a bountiful dinner. That means more and bigger serving bowls, minimum of three pans, and double utensils for each person, at the very least. The task was so overwhelming. I had no idea how I'm going to do it. Or will I ever be able to do it? Can I finish? What if I do only half and try to make paawa the following morning to avoid getting scolded?
While doing it, I was murmuring in my head. I was exhausted from yesterday's work and after enjoying my mom's birthday dinner, when all I pictured myself doing was take a cold shower and jump into bed, yes, I had to wash the dishes first.
And while I was trying to make up all sorts of excuses, God also impressed a lot of things to me. It was a good one hour and a half of complaining to God, and Him answering back :)))
First, of course, I thought it was unfair. I had to do the dishes alone just because. I had no choice and (I guess being the youngest) everyone just expected and assumed that I'll do it. Right there, God told me to "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” (Philippians 2:14-15a).
Okay. Fine. Yes, I'll do it. But. Do you see what we're talking about here? Truck load of dishes! How on earth will I be able to do and finish this? He answered me with, "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)
I didn't know how to start, I didn't know how to even finish. But if I didn't do it, who will? If I left it undone, only God knows what life form will enjoy our leftovers and dirty dishes. All I know is that I had to do it. He said, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
Obey and believe there's a purpose for all this. I can do that. I also don't like to wake up to this. After all, even if I leave it here tonight, I'll still be the one to do it in the morning. So let's just get to it.
I know it would be impossible to wash the dishes all at the same time so the sensible thing to do is do it by batch. I finished the glasses and silverware. Onto the serving bowls. And the plates. And the. Wait. There's still more? *looks back at our dining table...and the stove* And even moooore? Although struggling at the start, I still went on with my task. But halfway through it, I was beginning to get tired. And impatient. God's answer was, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)
Tiis-ganda lang. There's a reward in the end. But then, it gets really complicated when what you're washing is even bigger than the sink!
I clearly do not have the means (enough sink area) and power (I'm a 22 year old trapped in a little girl's body with the weakest of hands hahaha) to do this. Plus, I'm really very tired already. What now? Yes, He had an answer for that too, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." (Mark 11:23)
Yay, I was relieved when I was finished with the really big pans. I'm almost done. I just need to clean up the sink and. And then I realize there are other plates left on the table. Serving plates of leftovers which were just transfered to their tupperwares to be put in the refrigerator. Just when I thought everything was finally doing great, something still tried to pull me back, away from my goal. God reminded me to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5) and "..throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)
I realized how all the perseverance paid off when I washed the 2.5 gallon water dispenser without mumbling anymore. For one, I was excited to finish and second, I was excited to finish :))) I can imagine God giving me a pat on the back saying, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." (Matthew 9:22)
God has an answer for the mountains, the obstacles, and the setbacks. Although blindsided and clueless of God's plan, He does have one - and it's a good one. Even when we think it's unfair or we feel that we're forced to do it, just trust God and press on. No matter how big your problems are, even if they're bigger than what you think you can ever endure, stand in faith and press on. My mom always told me to be more excited for the impossible things - because that's when you'll really see God's glory come forth. He likes impressing and showing us how he can do the impossible. When you feel that things are finally taking form but then you hit an iceberg, do not let it make you sink, hold on to God and press on.
We'll just see the results when we get there and rest assured, we'll be amazed. It's not that He's not yet done preparing what He has for you. It's because He's preparing YOU for His wonders in store only for YOU, that He prepared long ago. As long as we murmur and complain, it just means we're not yet ready. But when we're pruned and we learn to obey and completely stand in faith, it will be a breeze. God is always ready to pour out His blessings for you. I'm excited to see His plan unveil (maybe preparing me to be a hard working mom like my momma who's celebrating her birthday today - what a segue hahaha) but for now, I guess it's dish washing for me :))
1. Glasses, utensils, serving spoons, knives
2. Serving bowls
3. Plates
4. Frying pan
5. Salad master
6. Other plates that weren't included in the other batch
7. Water dispenser
My sister cooked a bountiful dinner. That means more and bigger serving bowls, minimum of three pans, and double utensils for each person, at the very least. The task was so overwhelming. I had no idea how I'm going to do it. Or will I ever be able to do it? Can I finish? What if I do only half and try to make paawa the following morning to avoid getting scolded?
While doing it, I was murmuring in my head. I was exhausted from yesterday's work and after enjoying my mom's birthday dinner, when all I pictured myself doing was take a cold shower and jump into bed, yes, I had to wash the dishes first.
And while I was trying to make up all sorts of excuses, God also impressed a lot of things to me. It was a good one hour and a half of complaining to God, and Him answering back :)))
First, of course, I thought it was unfair. I had to do the dishes alone just because. I had no choice and (I guess being the youngest) everyone just expected and assumed that I'll do it. Right there, God told me to "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” (Philippians 2:14-15a).
Okay. Fine. Yes, I'll do it. But. Do you see what we're talking about here? Truck load of dishes! How on earth will I be able to do and finish this? He answered me with, "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)
I didn't know how to start, I didn't know how to even finish. But if I didn't do it, who will? If I left it undone, only God knows what life form will enjoy our leftovers and dirty dishes. All I know is that I had to do it. He said, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
Obey and believe there's a purpose for all this. I can do that. I also don't like to wake up to this. After all, even if I leave it here tonight, I'll still be the one to do it in the morning. So let's just get to it.
I know it would be impossible to wash the dishes all at the same time so the sensible thing to do is do it by batch. I finished the glasses and silverware. Onto the serving bowls. And the plates. And the. Wait. There's still more? *looks back at our dining table...and the stove* And even moooore? Although struggling at the start, I still went on with my task. But halfway through it, I was beginning to get tired. And impatient. God's answer was, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)
Tiis-ganda lang. There's a reward in the end. But then, it gets really complicated when what you're washing is even bigger than the sink!
I clearly do not have the means (enough sink area) and power (I'm a 22 year old trapped in a little girl's body with the weakest of hands hahaha) to do this. Plus, I'm really very tired already. What now? Yes, He had an answer for that too, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." (Mark 11:23)
Yay, I was relieved when I was finished with the really big pans. I'm almost done. I just need to clean up the sink and. And then I realize there are other plates left on the table. Serving plates of leftovers which were just transfered to their tupperwares to be put in the refrigerator. Just when I thought everything was finally doing great, something still tried to pull me back, away from my goal. God reminded me to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5) and "..throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)
I realized how all the perseverance paid off when I washed the 2.5 gallon water dispenser without mumbling anymore. For one, I was excited to finish and second, I was excited to finish :))) I can imagine God giving me a pat on the back saying, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." (Matthew 9:22)
God has an answer for the mountains, the obstacles, and the setbacks. Although blindsided and clueless of God's plan, He does have one - and it's a good one. Even when we think it's unfair or we feel that we're forced to do it, just trust God and press on. No matter how big your problems are, even if they're bigger than what you think you can ever endure, stand in faith and press on. My mom always told me to be more excited for the impossible things - because that's when you'll really see God's glory come forth. He likes impressing and showing us how he can do the impossible. When you feel that things are finally taking form but then you hit an iceberg, do not let it make you sink, hold on to God and press on.
We'll just see the results when we get there and rest assured, we'll be amazed. It's not that He's not yet done preparing what He has for you. It's because He's preparing YOU for His wonders in store only for YOU, that He prepared long ago. As long as we murmur and complain, it just means we're not yet ready. But when we're pruned and we learn to obey and completely stand in faith, it will be a breeze. God is always ready to pour out His blessings for you. I'm excited to see His plan unveil (maybe preparing me to be a hard working mom like my momma who's celebrating her birthday today - what a segue hahaha) but for now, I guess it's dish washing for me :))
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