PART ONE
CHAPTER ONE
How Did You Do It?
The key words here as we read this book are these three essential tenets of life: Purpose, Faith, and Hope. According to the dictionary, purpose is defined as “intention” and hope is to desire with the expectation to fulfill or accomplish. In hope, there is complete trust and reliance. Faith also is complete trust and reliance. We look at the Bible definition of faith as it is in the book of Hebrews 11:1. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Therefore, we must know that for those who have hope, life must have purpose that must be fulfilled. By the same token, for those who have purpose for life, there must be hope or the desire to fulfill that purpose. Our hope for life and our purpose for life all lie in the hands of our faith in God through Christ. This is evident that our complete trust and reliance is what carries us through in our earthly journey. When life became too strange and seemed unbearable, by faith I asked God what He wanted me to do, what was His purpose for me in life. My hope was built on whatever He would reveal to me. It was rough but with time, I have counted it all joy.
When life seems fair and beautiful, we must be grateful for that fairness and beauty. We should never prize anything more highly that the value of each day. Our lifestyle gives us our value for each day we see. When you wake up on a given day, you realize that you had briefly forgotten the troubles of this world. You had a good dream and a sound sleep. You had gone to an unknown world of peace. You are well rested. That is to assume that you had a peaceful night. As you opened your eyes, you could still perceive the fairness and beauty of life. Around and about you, your body tells you that everything is well and everyone is fine. What would you do? Whatever your conscience may tell you, just remember, that “life so fair and beautiful” should not be taken for granted. It is then time to say gratitude and praise to your Maker.
Each day that we see is a given grace from God. It is a favor that we did not deserve because of our sinful nature, but God allows us to see each day as He wills. Sometime, someday in life, one might wake up and sense that something strange had taken place around him or her. Something has changed. Things are no longer looking the way they used to. You see yourself helpless. It might have been a gradual or sudden change. It could have been a spiritual, mental, or physical change affecting you directly or indirectly. You realize that “Life is no longer fair and beautiful.”
What do you do? Whatever your conscience may tell you, just remember, that “Life is no longer fair and beautiful” should not be taken for granted. It is then time to say gratitude and praise to your Maker.
What I am trying to say here is that no situation in life should ever be overlooked. In every situation, we must turn things over to God, our Maker. He knows everything that is beyond our understanding.
My personal view of the world we live in is that it is a huge marketplace. We all run helter-skelter, buying and bagging. Everyone wants a full bag. Nothing is being discarded. No one is ever satisfied. Have you ever stopped to look at what you have bought? Have you stopped to check if you have bought wisely? Did you consult the chief merchant, the owner of the market on how best to shop in His market? You may not have control of everything about you in your life, but your shopping bag is your responsibility. It is what you are ready to take home from the market. If someone would ask, how did you do it or how did you shop, what would you answer? Did you take anything for granted?
In order to shop right or survive the market strategies, we need help from the expert owner and never take anything for granted. God is in charge and in control. If we depend on Him through Christ His son, we will never go wrong.
I have always been asked the question, “How did you do it? How did you survive? How did you raise such wonderful children?” As a young couple, my husband and I never knew how to answer those questions. We always looked at each other and smiled whenever someone asked. After he passed away, I still encountered the same questions. I was not able to answer these questions because sadly enough, I had taken things for granted. I could not count my blessing