Mr. and Mrs. Villafania lost their son NJ last 2011. He was a budding architect and had a great life ahead of him. He was ran over by a jeepney whose driver was not only texting while driving but also playing music on his cellphone that's why he didn't notice the man crossing the street.
During the mediation meeting after NJ's funeral, Mrs. Villafania was given the opportunity to tell the driver what she wanted to say. She faced the driver and said, "Alam mo, ang sama ng loob ko sa'yo, ni minsan hindi ka man lang humingi ng tawad." (You know what hurts me the most is that you never apologized.) The driver replied, "Gustong-gusto ko po talaga pero naisip ko po baka sabihin niyo lang sa akin na 'Para saan pa? Patay na ang anak namin?'" (I really wanted to but I'm thinking you might just say, "What for? Our son is already dead?")
Then without blinking, the bereaved mother calmly said, "Bakit hindi mo subukan?" (Why don't you try?) The driver first apologized to Mr. Villafania, then to the mother. By the grace of God, she extended her hand to the driver and sincerely said, "Pinapatawad na kita." (I forgive you.)
When Mrs. Villafania shared this during the Jesus Week, I was so moved and was even more convicted that indeed, everything is possible through God's grace.
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| Photo Credit: Etsy.com |
What struck me most, and until now I can still hear it inside my head, was this question: Bakit hindi mo subukan? As I reflected, I came to realize that it is the same question that God is asking me. I still have a lot of unfinished businesses, I still have a lot of dreams that are yet to be fulfilled, I also have a number of plans that are left unexecuted. All because I haven't actually started, or if I have, I didn't have enough courage and determination to pursue.
Now God asks me, "bakit hindi mo subukan?" I could give so many reasons such as, "I don't have time.", "I have other priorities.", "Something more important came up.", "I don't feel well, I need some rest.", "I don't have enough resources." But the truth is, and God revealed this to me a few days after Jesus Week, I only have one reason: fear. I'm afraid to fall again, to fail again, to be rejected once again. I'm afraid of an uncertain future. Then the Lord said, "Do not fear. I am with you."
"Do not fear." "Be not afraid." How many times was it mentioned in the Bible? Some say 365, I have yet to prove it but regardless of the number of times that it appeared in the Scriptures, the fact that the Lord said it at least once is already more than enough reason for us to believe that indeed, there's nothing to be afraid of.
Master Yoda said, "Do or do not. There's no try." But for me, trying is actually doing, despite the uncertainties, despite the fear.
No matter what the outcome would be, it's still better to have tried than to not have tried at all, and you'd end up wondering "what if."
God is a persistent God. He would never get tired of convincing us to do something - that we keep on resisting - that He wants for us, especially if our main reason is fear. Parang Imbestigador lang, "hindi Niya tayo tatantanan." And so, whatever it is that has been bothering you for a long time already, talk it over with God, ask Him what He wants you to do about it, and when He gives His instructions, do not be afraid to do what you ought to do and be what you ought to be. We have the assurance that God is with us. We just need to go to Him, bow in humility, and trust in His grace. He will supply everything that we need to accomplish whatever He asks us to do. We just need to try, no matter how difficult, no matter how impossible the mission seems to be.
After all, as the Gospel reminds us today, nothing is impossible with God! ♥
Let's do this, Lord! :)
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