mis pensamientos

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My grandparents (my dad’s parents) live right next door to me, but unfortunately, I don’t visit them as often as I should. Tonight, with the pleading of my mother, she told me to bring them some food and to talk to them for a few minutes. A few minutes turned into an hour. -_____-

This December they will be celebrating 60 years of marriage. And although they both got married in their early 20’s (neither of them having completed college), accrued debt from their small wedding, lived with an income of 90 pesos/month (considered a very poor income in the Philippines), and raised four children in Adventist private schools, together they have both formulated the secret to a happy life. God and love.

In our current society, we get all wrapped up in the material things of this world. Are my heels high enough? Is my purse name-brand? The neighbor has a BMW, so I better save up for a new and better car. Gotta earn money so I can take that trip to [insert your place of paradise]. Oh! I need to buy a good camera so I can take pictures of all the places I go, things I eat, and people I meet, then I can upload it all for my Facebook friends and Instagram followers to see!

If you are not one of these people, I envy you, because this is the path I am treading and if I don’t heed my grandparents’ advice, I will be heading into a life that will never see contentment. My lola did not work, my lolo was a truck driver for a Coca-Cola company, and yet how did they manage to raise four children and put them in private school? They prayed. “We had nothing, still have nothing, but look at us! We’re alive! And happy! We have you and all our children and grandchildren. God has always provided.”

After telling me their secret to a happy life, they continued to lecture me on marriage. (Why all my relatives assume I am getting married soon, I do not know!) But because they are my grandparents, and because I know they were offering wisdom beyond my years, I continued to open my ears and listen…

“Honey, we want you to be happy. I know Chris and you have been together for awhile now, so as long as he is Godly, loving, and responsible, we will be happy for you. We will cry if you marry someone who is unable to fulfill these things in your marriage.” It was a funny thing, sitting in a chair directly between them. In a way I felt trapped. Even if I had wanted to escape, there was no way out. From my left ear, I heard my lola’s quivering voice repeat, “Godliness, love, and responsibility”, while from right ear, I could hear my lolo murmur, “Of course we fought, but I never laid a hand on her. Yes, I would raise my voice, but I never touched her. Some husbands hammer their wives!” (That statement made me chuckle inside, not gonna lie haha).

Finally the phone rang, and my heroine of the night rescued me from the ceaseless conversation. ”Ate? What are you doing? Mommy’s wondering.” I took my chance and replied, “Okay, I’ll come home now.” 

Older people scare me. Not because of their wrinkly skin, their fragile bodies, or even the distinct way they smell. They frighten me because of their wisdom. At this point, I am still young, stubborn, and invincible (yeh, right). But older people are blessed with something we not yet possess - many years of joy, heartache, experience, mistakes, and triumphs. 

If you still have living grandparents, I encourage you to call them. And if they live close to you, better yet - visit them! Sit with them. Talk to them. They have an endless amount of stories to share with you and words of advice that the world of today will not offer. You won’t have to pay a single cent.

(Roaming & long distance charges may still apply) 

To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

                                                - Ecclesiastes 2:26

Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.

                                                - Job 12:12

0730: Wake up, wash face, devotions.
0800 - 0900: Run!
0900 - 0945: Shower cuz’ you stinky! Eat cuz’ you hungry!
1000 - till your brain can’t handle anymore: STUDY (food and breaks included)
2330 (at the latest): Pray & SLEEP!

Repeat. 

The last time I was this torn was when I was trying to decide whether I wanted Red Velvet froyo or New York Cheesecake froyo. Fortunately for me there was a swirl option, so I got the best of both worlds. Unfortunately for me, in this real-life scenario, I do not know what God wants for me. You think you know what He wants, but then He shuts you down with silence…And you’re left sitting alone, thinking to yourself, “Okay…So…now what?” By tomorrow, if I don’t receive “the sign”, should I take matters into my own hands? I know God’s given me the freedom of choice, but I would really appreciate His emphasized guidance right now, because I’m not sure what I want, and I can only pick one of two things. 

*sigh*

I’m not ready to be in the real world. I thought I was ready. I sure I am ready, but I rather stay another year with all of you. Actually, I wouldn’t mind staying forever with you guys. BAH! 

>.<