Friday, August 12, 2011

Life Is Beautiful

1 Kings 17:9
Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.

Ever experienced a day when there’s zero peso in your pocket and there’s no food on the fridge? As a pastor’s kid, I have countless miracle-stories to share. As a designer’s wife, by God’s grace, it trimmed down to one. Well, so far :> It was a Sunday afternoon and our ‘almost’ last money was spent going to and fro church. ‘Almost’ because I kept the last one so Tris could get to work the following day and receive his salary. We chose to rejoice in God regardless and thought of spending dinnertime walking around. ‘Twas our favorite date idea before the kids ‘happened’, haha :> After an hour, our toes brought us to a nearby mall. Fast forward a bit and you’ll find us lined up to a stall offering sample noodles. Another one was calling for another brand. When we went inside the grocery, we were handed with rice toppings and waiting just before the exit were cups of fresh milk. Now if you know me and my husband, you can imagine how my acting skills, and his lack of it, made it all the more enjoyable. We had a great, loud laugh on our way home. Only God can orchestrate such a great date!

Although I’m not sure if Elijah was a man of humor, but just in case he was, he sure would find this chapter amusing. (Just don’t remind him yet that he angered the king and his life’s probably in danger). Yesterday, we found him near a brook and ravens brought him bread and meat, one set in the morning, and one in the evening. How cool is that? Boyscouts would trade their PSPs for such an adventure. Not even Reality TV could copy-paste that.  When the brook dried up, he may have chuckled hearing his next where-to-get-food. “Through a widow? Seriously Lord?”.  And so he went and God did not disappoint his expectations: the jar of flour were not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry. It may not be as feastly as dining with kings, but royalties would sure exchange half their wealth seeing a miracle firsthand (they might call it magic though).  To Israel, the three and a half years of famine was curse. But to Elijah, those were great days of grace.

Oscar’s 71st Best Foreign Language Film “Life is Beautiful’ have the same plot. Beautiful was a forgotten word to those in concentration camps. But Guido managed to give their predicament some light when he told his son it was all competition for a prize of a real tank. Who’d ever read fun along the word N-a-z-i? Guido’s son never had a hint of danger for all he saw was his father’s great performance. He believed him. We too can find laughter amidst penniless pockets. We too can choose to see miracles instead of famine and threats. We have a Father whose performance ranks one. But unlike Guido, God’s word is true.  When He promised provision, we can be sure it’s coming – whether by ravens or through widows. Breathe some air and enjoy a bit of adventure there. If the fridge’s empty, call it a Family Clean-Up Day. If coins are all that’s left, declare a ‘Street Food Race’.  Sure you can invent better events.  Life is beautiful. Because our God Is :>

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Life Is Beautiful

1 Kings 17:9
Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.

Ever experienced a day when there’s zero peso in your pocket and there’s no food on the fridge? As a pastor’s kid, I have countless miracle-stories to share. As a designer’s wife, by God’s grace, it trimmed down to one. Well, so far :> It was a Sunday afternoon and our ‘almost’ last money was spent going to and fro church. ‘Almost’ because I kept the last one so Tris could get to work the following day and receive his salary. We chose to rejoice in God regardless and thought of spending dinnertime walking around. ‘Twas our favorite date idea before the kids ‘happened’, haha :> After an hour, our toes brought us to a nearby mall. Fast forward a bit and you’ll find us lined up to a stall offering sample noodles. Another one was calling for another brand. When we went inside the grocery, we were handed with rice toppings and waiting just before the exit were cups of fresh milk. Now if you know me and my husband, you can imagine how my acting skills, and his lack of it, made it all the more enjoyable. We had a great, loud laugh on our way home. Only God can orchestrate such a great date!

Although I’m not sure if Elijah was a man of humor, but just in case he was, he sure would find this chapter amusing. (Just don’t remind him yet that he angered the king and his life’s probably in danger). Yesterday, we found him near a brook and ravens brought him bread and meat, one set in the morning, and one in the evening. How cool is that? Boyscouts would trade their PSPs for such an adventure. Not even Reality TV could copy-paste that.  When the brook dried up, he may have chuckled hearing his next where-to-get-food. “Through a widow? Seriously Lord?”.  And so he went and God did not disappoint his expectations: the jar of flour were not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry. It may not be as feastly as dining with kings, but royalties would sure exchange half their wealth seeing a miracle firsthand (they might call it magic though).  To Israel, the three and a half years of famine was curse. But to Elijah, those were great days of grace.

Oscar’s 71st Best Foreign Language Film “Life is Beautiful’ have the same plot. Beautiful was a forgotten word to those in concentration camps. But Guido managed to give their predicament some light when he told his son it was all competition for a prize of a real tank. Who’d ever read fun along the word N-a-z-i? Guido’s son never had a hint of danger for all he saw was his father’s great performance. He believed him. We too can find laughter amidst penniless pockets. We too can choose to see miracles instead of famine and threats. We have a Father whose performance ranks one. But unlike Guido, God’s word is true.  When He promised provision, we can be sure it’s coming – whether by ravens or through widows. Breathe some air and enjoy a bit of adventure there. If the fridge’s empty, call it a Family Clean-Up Day. If coins are all that’s left, declare a ‘Street Food Race’.  Sure you can invent better events.  Life is beautiful. Because our God Is :>