The Heart of the Blog

Early this morning, I received a text from my sister-in-law, Beth. She thanked me for my reflection in Didache today about this blog. Her words: “…very inspiring. I should also make a journal to appreciate (blessings) and have the attitude of gratitude.”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – God’s timing is perfect. Last night, I belatedly read an email asking me about the colors the Music Ministry members were supposed to wear last Sunday. The sender said in jest I was too busy writing my blog I forgot to send this out. “Color coding” is one in a myriad of tasks I do for the South Feast. I do this early in the week. Last week it was not done because my laptop was included in Typhoon Basyang’s death toll.

After re-reading my Didache reflection during my prayer time, I realized something. These 3 things – the text, the email, my laptop’s demise – were all timed to remind me that lately I had not been writing about the things I set this blog up for.

So, I return to the heart of the blog. As I write my B.A.G. of Miracles (write – as in pen on paper. Later, I will harass my son to let me use his computer) the words of the song Heart of Worship run through my mind. “I’m coming back to the heart of worship…” I’m coming back to praise God for His many miracles.

LAST WEEK’S SCENARIO:

1. We had two batches of balikbayan relatives to entertain in our maid-less home.
2. It was my younger son’s birthday.
3. Typhoon Basyang dropped in on a clueless Metro Manila. (May bagyo pala!)

My Bs:

1. The blessing of assistance. From my sons who cleaned the lawn and hauled gallons of water. From my cousin, Belle, who cooked kare-kare for the party (a dish I never cooked despite my late husband’s threat not to marry me until I learned how). From my parents who are still actively doing chores at 80. From outside helpers who cleared the rubbish from the storm.
2. The blessing of protection. Our roof hung on for dear life amidst Basyang’s howling winds.
3. The blessing of darkness and light – yes, the power outage was a blessing. No computers to zombify us, no TV to steal our time. My sons and I spent some quiet time sitting on my bed just chatting. And then there was light, in less than 24 hours at that. While most of the metropolis still groped around in darkness, we were pounding madly on our keyboards to beat deadlines. My son for his long delayed thesis and me for the South Feast bulletin.

My As:

1. Fed the multitude plus cooked a special birthday dinner without burning/ breaking/bungling anything
2. My first try with my tita’s caldereta sans tomato sauce recipe was successful. (I think the secret was in the pray-over as it simmered on the stove.)

My Gs:

1. Took time off from cleaning, cooking, serving to watch “Inception” with my two boys on the younger one’s birthday.
2. Made relatives from both sides of my family happy.

There you have it. A full B.A.G. of Miracles.