I wanna go back HOME....

“I want to go back home”, six words that really caught my attention the very first time I heard it. Since I had been away from my family for quite three years already, indeed, this may sound as ordinary line for those who are in distance from their loved ones like me. Yes, this is what I wanted to for a long time that I felt I got lost, “ I wanna go back home, back in HIS arms”.

For 30 years of existence, I know I am lucky enough that I belong to a family that prays and stays together. At a very young age, my parents taught us how and when to pray and its importance. Most of the times, I would gather my siblings and we prayed together. That innocence brought us closer to God. I could still recall what nanay used to tell us, “Anak, bear in mind that no prayers are left unanswered, you ask anything and God will grant them”. Yes, she was right because whatever I asked all fell into places the way I wanted them to happen. That is how great our God is. From then on until now, prayer is my anchor. I and my family may have gone through a lot of ordeals but God did not leave us amidst those adversities.

But then, temptations came over, driven away by much desire to go for with my dream, I got hooked with worldly stuffs. I even forgot my responsibility to Him, to observe the Sabbath Day. I was too busy or maybe I was just making some excuses just to get busy with my work. I did not even have much time for myself. Until one day, I started to ask myself, “Why am I doing this? What are these for? Am I happy? I could then feel the emptiness at that time that I did not understand why. Perhaps God started to touch my heart. I was stricken by an ailment which I did not expect to happen. I spent money for my medication which instead be given back to him. I felt like I was alone, no one to turn to. I spent so many sleepless nights, thinking what I am going to do with my life. The bravest person I know is now on the brink of breaking down. I didn’t know where to go at that time. I knew I was lost for several moments. But I never gave up because deep within my heart, He’s there, waiting…

Until I decided to take on my responsibility once again. I knew it’s not yet too late. With nonstop prayers, I gradually was able to revive my faith. Though, He knew for sure that I never ever lost my faith in Him. Only then, that I had been so selfish in those days.

As what a famous passage says, “whatever your heart desires, the whole universe will conspire on your favor”. And we know that God is the ruler of that universe.
We may encounter some hardships and temptations in life, but that doesn’t mean we are not loved by our God. They are just like needles along our path. All we have to do is, just pick up them up and continue with our journey towards Him. Never ever give up nor surrender. Let’s keep that fire burning and hold on to Him no matter what. Have faith in Him until the end.