God takes care of His own
My household help was diagnosed with a contagious disease, so she had to go home to her province to recuperate. She left so hurriedly that I had to be the one to gather all her personal belongings. Later, her father came with a companion and took all her things which I had placed in two big plastic bags.
Since the father couldn’t take the bus with such a big load, he decided to take a cab home. However, he didn’t have enough money to pay the fare which cost ₱600. All he had was ₱200, so he asked if I could give him ₱400, the amount lacking. I got upset because I felt I had to spend so much for a household help who was leaving me anyway. Moreover, I was hesitant to give him the amount because I also needed it to buy groceries. All the same, I felt sorry for him, so I ended up giving him the money… hoping that everything would be fine.
He had just left when a notification sounded on my phone. It was a text message from a friend, asking me for my GCash number. He wanted to pay back the money he owed me, and it was ₱10,000! I couldn’t believe it. I already forgot about that debt of his, but this unexpected Providence had come just when I needed it most! God truly takes care of His own.
Choosing to be kind
Since my brother separated from his wife, he has come to live with us. But it is not a simple matter. At 70, he has a chronic kidney disease, hence his doctor has forbidden him from eating certain foods which are not good for him. So, it came as a shock to me when I found out one early Sunday morning that he went out to buy canned goods and artificial fruit juice in a nearby grocery, when we had specifically prohibited him from doing so. This is not just because he buys things that are bad for his health, but also because he does not strictly follow health protocols, and, therefore, risks bringing the virus home. He’s so hardheaded that it drives me crazy! Thinking of how much he has wasted past medications, I wanted to give up and send him back to his wife, but she has already refused to care for him.
When my brother was out of his room, I hid the canned goods. When he found out they were missing, he told me that he won’t stop looking until he finds them! Then I thought: “Maybe this is not the right thing to do, maybe I will just make matters worse.” So, I returned the canned goods to his room and prayed for light, amid the anger I felt, and just avoided him the whole day. Later, my faith helped me understand how God treats people like him. I remembered what Jesus said. He “came for the sick and not the righteous.”
Then I felt the need to think of the needs of others and treat them with kindness. I imagined myself in my brother’s situation. In fact, he has insomnia and may feel hungry in the middle of the night. So, the following day, I told him that I would get him something in exchange for the canned goods that were bad for his kidneys. Imagine my surprise when he willingly gave them to me, suggesting that I just give them away to those in need. I suddenly realized that, instead of nagging him, I should be more compassionate. Things are not at all complicated when one chooses to be kind.
Compiled by Choie Funk
Originally posted on the Facebook Page “Seamless Lives”
