Readings for Sunday

I wonder where my good friend, Manuel "Noli" Agcaoili, picked this up. But it is so inspiring I decided to use it for this column, as part of the STAR readers’ Sunday reading. Here is the article passed on to me by Noli:

Recently, I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together at the gate in an airport terminal. The airlines had announced her departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said," I love you. I wish you enough."

She in turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy."

They kissed and she left. He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see he wanted and needed to cry.

I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking,

"Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

"Yes, I have," I replied.

Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me.

Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me. So I knew what this man was experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?" I asked.

"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, the next trip back would be for my funeral," he said.

"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough.’ May I ask what that means?"

He began to smile. "That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone."

He paused for a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more.

"When we said ‘I wish you enough,’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them," he continued.

Then, turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."

He then began to sob and walked away.

* * *

Denn A. Meneses of San Juan, Metro Manila, a regular reader of The Philippine STAR, sent the following prayer which he hopes will guide our people, especially during these difficult times, to appreciate God’s blessings and live each day, more conscious of our humanity:

God Almighty,

Let this new morning bring sunshine and laughter to those who believe in Your infinite goodness and mercy.

Let the flowers bloom in all their magnificent colors that they may bring cheer to the forlorn and hope to the desperate.

Let the grass grow greener and softer that they may bring rest and comfort to weary feet.

Let the trees spread their leafy arms far and wide that they may bring refuge to lost souls and broken spirits.

Let the birds sing mighty songs of praise and wonderment that they may bring serenity to anguished hearts and peace to troubled minds.

Lord, let me live each day as if it were the last.

Help me walk the long and narrow path to righteousness.

Show me the burning flame of Your everlasting love so that

I may bask in the shower of Your generous blessings today and always.

Give me strength that I may face my fears with courage and fortitude.

Keep me away from the vagaries of temptation and the lures of sin.

Open my heart that I may become sensitive to the feelings of others.

Open my mind to new and rewarding possibilities that will uplift me as a person.

Grant me the humility to understand that while I am superior to some, I am inferior to many.

Allow me to discern the truth in the eyes of those I will meet along the way.

Make me persevere to do Your will with absolute trust and conviction.

Bless me with enough passion to inspire joy and positive reactions,

and instill in me the value of loyalty that I may remain faithful to those whom I hold near and dear.

I ask You these through Christ our Lord. Amen.

* * *

May I share another thought-provoking article, sent to me by Jose Gatuslao, culled from the book, Through the Night with God. The theme seems so appropriate, amidst the backdrop of economic problems besetting our country. Here goes the article:

Can’t sleep because you’re worried about your business and financial situation? That was the case for Bill, a middle aged businessman who was always telling others that he would do this or that with his public relations business; it was always something that was sure to make money for him. Yet day after day, month after month, year after year, things never happened the way he predicted and he felt like a failure. Finally, his business went bankrupt.

"At the time, I was devastated, thinking I’d never get back on my feet again financially," Bill said. "I felt desperate."

He did, however, regain financial independence. As a matter of fact, Bill became extremely successful in the business world. He credits his new-found success to having God as His business partner. "I love people," he said. But before, I was trying to make both ends meet by figuring it all out with maths, which I never liked that well in school. No wonder I struggled with my job," he said.

Looking back, Bill says going bankrupt was the best thing that ever happened to him. It made him change his attitude. He began trusting God. "Before, I was afraid to take risks… to try new things," he explained. "Now, if one way doesn’t work in my business, I no longer look at that as a failure. I see it as an opportunity to try something else."

If we’re having a hard time making ends meet, we can review our situation and think of ways to change like Bill did. We can find work that we love. By doing our best at our jobs, being the best we can be, we can enjoy the life God designed especially for us.

* * *

PULSEBEAT: According to Ben Simpao, who lives in the Bay Area of San Francisco, California, USA, the love story of handicapped youngsters Ramil Cabrera and Mary Grace is "a very beautiful and inspiring story." The two are sterling examples of how dreams come true, he said…

* * *

Thoughts For Today:

It’s not how good you jump
over the obstacles,
nor how fast you get to the top,
but how often you stop to help people
that makes life worthwhile.

* * *

There is always one thing
to be thankful for every morning,
that is being able to open our eyes
and see the beauty of being alive
under God’s grace.

* * *

My e-mail addresses [email protected] and [email protected]