SO GOOD IS OUR GOD

Pag-asa registered them as Juaning, Kabayan and Lando - three in a row suspending classes in all levels!  What a joy for the students wanting to extend their summer vacation.  What a cut in the income of drivers losing passengers!  What a tragic way destroying lives and properties!  Yet nature dictates that after a storm, a rainbow bends promising floods won't be the reason for the earth's goodbye.   The sun brightly smiles today, ready to dry up clothes that piled up.  Truly in His goodness, God  made in every turning of the seasons, great revelations, appreciating the wonders of His perfect creation.  Just imagine what life would had been if there would only be one  season!  So, let's spend the rainy season with that same big smile we wore during summer, while we rushed down to beaches and pools for water.  


There is always a reason for us to smile, sing and thank the Lord.  Yes, He is so good.  Rain or shine.  For better or worse.  All the time!

   

I see no reason why I should not smile everyday

I see the flowers grow and bloom day after day

I see no reason why I should be sad

For life is good, and so good is our God.

I see no reason why I should not sing everyday

I hear birds singing lullabyes each night and day

I see no reason why I should be alarmed

For life is good, and so good is our God.

Watch the flowers, they never spin

But see how God clothes them all

Red yellow and green

Look at the birds, they only fly

But see how God feeds them all

Way up in the sky.

I see no reason why I should not thank the Lord

For the earth abound in the fullness of His love

I see no reason why I should not praise His Name

He gave his life for me, set me free

And took away my shame.

JESUS IS MY REWARD

I graduated valedictorian in the elementary and high school. But in college, I got a 3 in one of my accounting subjects and that disqualified me for Latin honors.  I used to brag about the medals I collected for loyalty, leadership and academic excellence. I would always audit them to find out if there would be one missing.  I would do the same with the  ribbons pinned on me for oratorical and musical competitions.  And for my  diplomas and citations for outstanding achievements, I would frame them to entertain guests in the featured walls of our home. All these would thrill me before, bringing back the sound of applause and the sight of so many hands congratulating.  But they no longer now.  The medals and ribbons, kept in a plastic container, continue to rust, fade, srink - unaudited!  The diplomas and citations, now like hidden treasures of Egypt, are waiting to be unearthed.  Yet I have thanked God for all these rewards.  They were blessings that helped me find my way thru my professional journey.  But there is a much greater reward that I needed now as I continue to journey through life.  And it was good I finally discovered how and where to find it.  Now I know we are here not to collect medals but opportunities to love and care.  Not to wear ribbons but to share that special joy as we do our mission.  Not to win in competitions but to bring back lost souls searching and wanting to be found.  Only then will our lives be meaningfully spent and assured to receive the final eternal reward:  JESUS.  


I said my "yes".  When will God hear yours?



When I say "yes" to Jesus
Yes would be pleasing Him
Yes would be loving Him
All the days of my life.
When I say "Yes" to Jesus
Yes would be trusting Him
Yes would be serving Him
All the days of my life.


Then I'll be free, I'll be refreshed
I shall be filled and I will be blessed
I shall be satisfied, I'd be complete
For Heaven is in my heart
And JESUS IS MY REWARD!

GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES

Mass was being celebrated that Sunday morning of April 10, 2005. I remember it was an unusual thing seeing me inside the Blessed Sacrament and not participating.  For whatever reason I may have been there on my knees and not inside the church was a thought to ponder at that time.  I only realized the connection after I had received a call from a friend that Manu, my son, collapsed  and was rushed to a hospital.  That was it.  He needed prayers that very moment.

Manu, my third child, who would have turned 26  in August of that year, was an active YFJ (Young Flames for Jesus) worker.  At home, he was the Dolphy who could really make me laugh.  He was the caring and thoughtful son who would always bring home my favorite "hopia".  That Sunday was the final day of  a weekend youth seminar held in Cavite where he was given an assignment for the Sunday worship.  He just finished song leading and sharing when while on his seat, fell unconscious.


When I reached the hospital, he heard my voice and without opening his eyes, whispered, "ma, yakapin mo naman ako".  Those were his words but I never thought those few words would be his last.  The next day after moving him to a hospital near our place, Manu went home to His Maker peacefully.


How I accepted this was a super grace from God.  I could have thrown so many "why's" to Him but I did not.  I would have cried gallons of tears but I could not.  For even before that day came, God used my hands in writing these lines, assuring me that His Will is Perfect,  that He plans so well,  that He knows what is best and that He will never make mistakes!  And I believe and trust Him.


      God makes no mistakes
     He plans so well
     He knows what is best for you
     God makes no mistakes
     His words are sure
     You need not worry at all


     And He wants you to shine like the stars
     And He wants you to sparkle like diamonds
     And He wants you to fly like the eagles on high
     And He wants you to be what He meant you to be.


     And each time you fall, He'll lift you up
     And each time you cry, He'll make you smile
     And each time you're lost, He'll take your hand
     And lead you to His way again.


     God makes no mistakes

     He plans so well

     He knows what is best for you

     God makes no mistakes

     His words are sure

     You need not worry at all.

MY GREATEST FRIEND

ROSALINDA'S LINES is a compilation of original songs and poems to thank God for all his blessings. And I am featuring the first song for our Greatest Friend. 

I have all kinds of friends:  true-blue friends from way back my childhood days in Makati, best friends from my unforgettable teen years in high school and college in Arellano, super friends from among my working groups in AU, NIDCOM, CCPI, NASECO and SFU, sisters and brothers in our ministry and parish, close friends in our neighborhood, Facebook friends, Yahoo friends, special friends for a season and a reason.  Well, no matter what kind of friend each may have been to me, or what I may have been to each of them, the fact remains that friendship is such a beautiful gift from above!   


I thank You Lord for all my friends.  And here are my very first lines on this blog.  This is for You, my Greatest Friend, Who has loved me all these years.     

You are the GREATEST FRIEND I've known
You make things right when they go wrong
When I am weak You make me strong
You're always there when I'm alone


You answer all my prayers too
And never fail to make things new
I may not always think of You
Yet You remain faithful and true


And when I cry out loud to You
You lend Your ear to hear my woes
And when my tears start to flow
You stretch Your hand and wipe them slow


You never ask for anything
But always give the best of things
And I know when my end is near
You'll hold my hand and drive my fears


YOU are the Greatest Friend I've known.