Of Cross Roads

Photo credit - Web
written 06.06.2012 inspired by the movie "Another Perfect Stranger"

Often the word crossroads mean uncertain times, feeling lost, and having too many options at once. Almost always, cross roads symbolize a very meaningful if not life changing event in our lives. 

We may not know it, but every day we get to see The Cross in our roads. Preachy and quite something quoted from the Bible, but at the end of the day - after the hustle and bustle - you just remember something good even if you have had a bad day. That is the Cross - that is the voice that might sound like our thoughts and decisions but actually, it is the very same voice we fail to listen from God. That is the very same hope that allows you to take another crossroad each day. 

At those times when we feel uncertainty creeping on us, listening becomes easier to do, do you agree? We ask for advises, we consult our shrinks, and we find all possible ways to reassure ourselves 'we are right'. We listen intently in the hope of finding the reassurance we desperately need. But in the middle of it all, we fail to listen to ourselves and we ignore the silent clues sent by Him to lead us in the right path.

This is the part when we get lost. The excruciating point that we lose hope. And at this point, listening to The Voice is nearly next to impossible. We cower in our bad turns and decisions and find it hard to believe that you put yourself in a tight spot. We react differently and take actions variously. Most of us, when decisions take the wrong turn, turn bitter in finding The Cross in the road. Some take the down fall graciously, understanding that sacrifice is crucial to success in their undertakings. But what we fail to understand is that The Cross in our roads gives us the directions if we listen earnestly. That suffering and feeling lost and defeated is not what The Cross would want for us. The process is necessary to teach us to wait. That faithful waiting requires hope. I remember the movie line saying when there is delay in what must be done right, it is only allowed because of His mercy not to leave anyone behind in being right. 

And when we reach the point when we have earned patience in waiting, we find ourselves listening back to The Voice present in each one of us. Then, our hearts and mind slowly open to the possibilities ... and with them comes options that cause confusion. With too many options unlocked, which way does The Cross would want us to go?

There are three steps to remind yourself when you encounter a crossroad. 
Listen.
Wait.
And above all times, always hope. 
The Cross in your road will give you the certainty that you will be found with the right path in time.

The Bell Tolls

written by BEV. 4.10.2010
Photo credit - Link

It is sad to know that someone has passed away. As living beings, we all know that death is something permanent. What we know of someone has already ended and even strangers can feel the loss.

We are naturally in grief. Every ending of a life gathers people together as much as a new birth of life. In such occasions, it makes one appreciate the company we have when we are in milestones in our lives. Death is only the beginning- cliché but it holds true for a new leaf after someone’s death.

It is of the death of a loved one we come to realize the value of a person’s sympathy and moral support. Many friends, people you haven’t seen in years come together in hoping to become a haven of comfort to you and your family.
In our busy lives, we often forget the nicety of showing these support network the appreciation we have for their presence in our lives. Life is short and during times of death, we come to think the significance we have imprinted in someone else’s life. We are social creatures and it is important to be aware of our time out together with people we cherish.

We do not want to wake up one day and find out death has taken someone dear to us. Death is a natural impending force and no one can
escape it. So we must be thankful of the blessings of people that surround us during our grief and after wards.
We must never forget that we are still all fragile and a soothing company could do miracles in our tired spirit to move on and continue the struggle to a meaningful life. And for the dead who we do not know might be looking upon us, would find out more about his influence in these people who are there to mourn his loss.

When confronted with death, people are unaware of the power it gives to the ones the dead leave behind. It means they are encouraged to make their lives even more meaningful than what they have now.  Dying is more like sacrificing the meaning of your life so someone who knows you can be catapulted in to the realization that changes can still come in their lives – no matter how good or bad of a state their lives might be in.

Death is not the end, it is only a harbinger that there is more out there to feel, to change, to know, and ultimately to accept. Death is one of the remarkable truths that almost equals time in its consistency in human lives. Learning to hear the bell toll might be hurtful because it is usually sudden and unwanted – but when it comes calling to you, do not be afraid.

Take death’s hand and smile at the life you made. At that point, you can feel all your life having meaning at the look of your mourner’s faces. Then you will find joy and then later on relief that you did your best to make something out of yourself in someone else’s life.

Untitled Sadness

Photo credit - Link

I feel you fading further away

As your absence gnaws at me

I began to say goodbye

And yet now you tell me to stay

Broken promises

Empty words

Waiting in vain.

A friend or a lover

You dare not tell

Undefined is hurtful

Loosing you is the same.

I wrote your name in the sands

Hoping the ebbing waves take it away.

But the wind whispers your name

And the waves cry out in dismay.

True love,

Where has it gone?

Far away...

Remembered and then forgotten...

Too late

Too soon

Too deep

Too regretful,

So I walked away.

My Regular Miracle

written 4.46.2009, my room
photo taken by me St. Francis' Church, Maa, Davao City

Like a pill, an antidote

The One I cherish most

I ran away, far

He follows me and find my scars

With His words I tremble in fear

His touch bring me to tears

And then I feel with His will

I slowly lift my eyes and heal.

He points my puzzle to solve

Patiently, He creates the broken mold

Of my true self that age in pieces

He picks the parts and gently seizes

The love that can give the broken

And returns what has been stolen.

Everyday, He walks beside me

No matter the road I chose to be

He allows my freedom to roam

Never made me lost my way back home.