Overwhelmed: Tears Turned Into Joy

Rush Hour

After class, I went to sell chocolates, and walked again from school to home. But of course, I just slowed down, so that my limbs wouldn't weary too much. I came home and took a snack and went to Pasay to order for another batch of chocolate products.

While I was waiting for a jeepney ride back home, people were crowded again. I was more hassle than yesterday because I carried loads: a shop bag with almost 4 kilograms in weight, and my chocolate Styrofoam box which weighs lighter but was still huge in size.

I prayed for grace to come. Jeepneys passed by, and was the same scene as yesterday: me, unable to get in (not even at the right mood to take a picture of the crowd in my phone). I was tired and exhausted. I glanced at my watch, 7:30 PM.

Moments later, an empty jeepney came. Yahoooo! I got in a rush when I was the first one to follow the back of the vehicle, prepared to get in immediately. But when I was about to step inside, someone jerked behind me and I was pushed away, causing me to stumble down the road The vehicle wheeled forward and began to speed up, while the crowd pressed on. My loads fell. No one had been a 'Good Samaritan' to help me up. I felt pain in my right palm and left knee as both were scratched to the ground.


Stumbled and Hurt

I found myself crying, not just because of pain, but of anger with those passengers with no sincere consideration. Yet it was rush hour and everyone was in a hurry, so I cannot blame anyone among them. But it had been so unfair. They just ignored me when I had obviously been hurt and a humiliated in public. The world is SELFISH. Frustrated, I stomped towards the sidewalk with tears stinging my eyes.

I sat by the roadside, almost helpless. "Lord, mamaya pa'ko nito makakauwi." I sobbed, thinking that I wouldn't be able to come home early. I was about to message my dad when someone tapped my back.


The Way Maker

"Sa'n ka sasakay, FTI ka ba?" The lady asked, but I refused to answer. She kept asking and then I gave a nod.

"Sabay ka na sa'kin sa taxi," She said, telling me that we were on the same route. I marveled when she began to carry my things and went to the taxi cab. "Hala ate, 'wag na po." I pleaded, telling her that I'll just wait for another jeepney. She was insisting me to get a ride with her, and in a few moments, I found myself seated inside the taxi cab.

It made me OVERWHELMED. I was speechless and shy, but instead of having an awkward feeling, I feel blessed, and one thing that rolled into my brain: God is a WAY-MAKER. Oh, His mercy endures forever! I covered my face full of tears, and was happy and amazed at the same time.

Her name was Hazel. My heart melted at her kindness. God used her for my rescue. When the vehicle wheeled over, she asked what exactly happened when I stumbled on the road. On the other side, she told me that she cannot really hesitate to help me up, and told the taxi driver to wait for me. Moments passed but still, it didn't seem to sink in to my mind.

"It's really true, God will make a way when there seems to be no way," I told her in a hopeful demeanor.

We talked and shared stories to each other, and I just can't contain the joy in my heart to be able to share the Word of God, including my testimonies about His goodness as well as the incident earlier that has added to the great miracles He had performed in my life.


The Gospel Preached

I told her that it's not really about religion. What matters is our personal relationship with God, because that is what He truly wants with us. The Holy Spirit just filled me up, that I didn't even noticed how I was able to say graceful things to her, without any hesitation in doing it. God just moved in me, wanting me to witness His touch in her life. Later on, I found out that she needed healing on some particular health-related issues. She was also thinking about her career path, and was a bit frustrated because she didn't totally like her present job.

I prayed over her, thanking God for the miraculous healing she will receive, and for guidance, provision, and protection for her and her family. I was so delighted at how God really made my day meaningful, in spite of the weariness I had for the whole day.

This, I treasured in my heart. Another opportunity has come for me to declare God's glory. He has always made me OVERWHELMED in many different ways. Praise God!