ALL YOU NEED IS JESUS

(subtitle: kwentong katol)

I met Tito Lito in Anawim** 11 years ago. My first impression was that he looked younger than the other Anawim residents. Most of them had gray or thinning or even no hair but Tito Lito was unique. He was blessed with black and wavy hair. This made it easy to notice him amidst the crowd. 

I love talking to him every time my family visits the place. Maybe it was the stories he shared. Maybe it was his simple requests like;

-       “can you bring me a ‘katol’ (a scented mosquito repellent in coil form) in your next visit?” OR

-       “please get me a glass of water”

There was something about him that made me comfortable. I treated him as my uncle, my “Tito”. Maybe he considered me as his adopted son.   

HIS OLD LIFE

He was very open about this life. He told me that he used to have a prosperous life. His business was involved in the entertainment industry, specifically movies. He personally knew a lot of celebrities during his time. I did not know most of the actors that he said but I nodded my head at every name. I pretended to know them because I wanted him to continue with his story telling. He was earning well and his family lived a comfortable life. He never thought that his abundant lifestyle would come to an end. 

Then one day it did. 

He became sickly. He suffered a stroke and had to undergo two major operations. His movements became limited. His condition forced him to use a wheelchair.  He was not able to attend to his business. His savings were diminishing as each day passed. The biggest blow happened when his family abandoned him! 

Perhaps his wife could not bear the difficulty of taking care of him. Or maybe they felt that he cannot anymore provide for them. Maybe it was his declining bank account that made them leave. He never knew what was their reason for leaving. He just woke up one day and they were gone. No farewell note. No final message. His life changed from having everything to a life with nothing.  

HIS NEW LIFE

By some twist of faith, he ended up in Anawim. He still has limited movement but it was not an issue. The caretakers brought to him most of his needs. His family did not return but he is surrounded by true friends. They sing, eat, pray and laugh with him everyday. He may not have earthly treasures but he found the true treasure in Jesus. His new life allowed him to appreciate Jesus’ love for him. 

THE LIFE LESSON

I came prepared for our next visit to Anawim. I brought a box of “katol” for Tito Lito. I immediately looked for him in the canteen but he was not there. I went to his room but nobody was there. His wheelchair was neatly folded beside his empty wooden bed. I met a caregiver on the way out and asked about Tito Lito. The caregiver’s reply shocked me -  
“sorry, but he passed away last month”.

How can this happen? Our friendship was barely turning two years. I was looking forward to more of his stories. I was excited to hear more about his showbiz filled tales.

Later on, I took hold of myself and prayed for his soul. I realized that the situation was what’s best for him. I was happy that he found a new family before he left this world. I was joyful that he met Jesus again. I was glad that he had a relationship with Jesus during his last days. Now he is with Jesus every day. I believe that in God’s kingdom he sings, prays and laughs every moment. 

I pray that one day I will meet him again in God’s kingdom. I look forward to that day. I’ll try my best to bring the “katol” he requested.

The story of Tito Lito taught me one important thing. Your health may fail you. Your family may abandon you. Friends may go and leave you. Money will vanish or lose value. You may have nothing left but believe in faith that Jesus will always be with you. As is it written,

“It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

God will never abandon you. Now, what should be our response? Believe and love Him back.

** Anawim - is an outreach project that serves as the home for poor and abandoned elderly people located in Montalban, Rizal, Philippines.

WHEN FACED WITH A STORM, DO YOU PANIC OR DO YOU PRAY?

Then out of the storm the Lord spoke to Job. – Job 38:1

In the midst of a storm, be still and embrace the presence of your God.

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2012-10-05 

have a blessed day!

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE LITTLE (OR NOTHING) TO GIVE?

This story begins when a prophet named Elijah asked a favor from a widow. 

When he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” - 1 Kings 17:10

The widow followed without hesitation. But as she was about to do his request, Elijah follows up with another one.

She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a crust of bread.” - 1 Kings 17:11

Maybe that request caught the widow off guard. Maybe she stood there, frozen in her tracks and did not know how to react. The request for water was a difficult one since there was a drought at that time.  You can say that a cup of water was valuable as gold. Then Elijah asked for another favor. A piece of bread that would be worth a few silver coins for a poor widow.

Elijah was just new in town. He just met the widow. Yet he had the audacity to ask for the widow’s “gold and silver”. Were his requests a bit too much to ask? Were they too much for a widow who barely had enough?

The widow had no choice but to tell him the truth.

She said, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a few sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” - 1 Kings 17:12

“...when we have eaten it, we shall die”. That line says it all. The widow had too little or almost nothing. In fact, she was ready to die after her last meal.

Were you ever in a situation where you felt that your resources were running out? You were like a car whose fuel gauge pointed to “E”. Empty, nothing, zero, nil, zip or zinch.

• Like when you had no work and your savings was diminishing
• Or you sold most of your assets to start a business but your partners stole your money
• Or when you tried everything your doctor recommended but your terminal sickness still cant be cured

You are running low but God wants you to give. It may not be giving bread or water. Maybe God wants you to give time, your talent or your other resources. Will you still give in to a request to help this man of God?

The widow could have said no to Elijah. She had every reason to do so. For me, she could have said “no” and I won't take it against her. She was a widow and she had limited supply. Would you blame her if she said sorry to Elijah?

This is where the story becomes interesting. She decided to follow him and grant his request. She followed because she had faith in God. She believed in what God said through Elijah.

Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Afterwards you can prepare something for yourself and your son. - 1 Kings 17:13

And the widow’s faith in God was rewarded. God was indeed faithful. As HE promised through Elijah, the widow and her son did not go hungry. They even had more than enough for others in the house.

For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth. She left and did as Elijah had said. She had enough to eat for a long time—he and she and her household. The jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD spoken through Elijah. - 1 Kings 17:14-16

I love how that story ended. A widow who had little or barely enough yet she was still willing to give. She held on to the promise of God and she ended up with more than enough. Its been said that faith can move mountains (Mark 11:23). In the story of Elijah and the widow, faith resulted to a blessing not only for the giver. God blessed not only the widow and her son. God blessed the whole household.

Whenever you are faced with a drought or famine, have faith that your generous God will provide.

What to do when you have almost nothing left?

Give everything to God.