Showing posts with label divine providence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label divine providence. Show all posts

Thursday, April 5, 2012

In God's Own Time



This should be the mantra of those who say they trust in God---a measure of FAITH.  Do what needs to be done and God will do the rest.

The need for more is man's self made predicament.  Man is an INSATIABLE being.  Whenever we have something in excess we change our lifestyles and spend until we find ourselves under again.  It's a vicious cycle really.  Oh, I have had my own downs and have fallen in this trap a couple of times already and what I learned is that when you're already in it you just have to suck it up and try to crawl out of the rubble of debt.  Come to think of it, many of us are not far off from the woes of a sampaguita vendor---just different levels of need---but NEEDS just the same.  

"God will provide," that's what I always say.  However, Divine Providence does not come when you expect it.  Ironically, more problems usually come your way.  Well, we can't complain to God, right?  We complain at the "injustice" of whatever situation we're in.  The workplace is where many injustices happen so let's focus there.

From my time as a service crew, to being part of the store management team, up to my time at the corporate office, financial growth has always been an issue.  We were unionized when I was a service crew and the yearly increase was a consistent argument at the CBA bargaining.   Naturally, the union always wanted more.  When I became a manager the merit increase was based on performance but that too had its own controversy.  Then there's the matter of promotion.

Promotion is based on performance and competence.  It also depends on the company budget.  But as they say some people have all the luck.  These are those who get promoted minus the exemplary performance and the competence to do the job.  Personally, I pity them since they would eventually look silly sitting on a position they are not cut out for.  This is an HR problem that really boggles the mind.  But that's a discussion for another topic.  Conversely, it is also disturbing to hear of people asking for a promotion.  It is not something you ask for.  It is given as a recognition for good work.  The one who should recognize this is the superior.  When a subordinate seeks for a promotion it is a major turn-off to the superior.  But I guess that's what happens when family finances can no longer be satisfied by the yearly merit increase.

In my opinion, it's either you wait your turn to go up the corporate ladder or seek another job that will give you this opportunity.  You can do this internally or get out of the company and find another that wil provide your corporate aspirations and the financial gain it entails.  Otherwise, just do your job well and God will do the rest---in His own good time.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

God, Santa, Christmas Presents and Another Yuletide Miracle

Miracles happen everyday---you just have to recognize it.  Why is this important?  Well, to give you the opportunity to be THANKFUL. 

Coincidence, luck, happenstance, they are all God's means of being anonymous. 

When I was still a kid I thought God and Santa were best of friends---I pray and Santa gives.  In hindsight, I thank God for giving me parents, ninongs and ninangs, aunts and uncles, who made me happy come Christmas time.  When I became a parent I became Santa to my kids and my prayers are now geared towards being given the opportunity to continue to provide for my family.  I no longer ask God for specific Christmas presents but is thankful for what comes my way (which becomes more and more seldom when you get older).  Oh don't mistake it, I do have my wish list.  But that is something that I leave to Divine Providence.

Well, I guess God still sees the child in me and touched someone to provide what I normally could not afford.  It may not be turning water into wine but a miracle just the same.

Thank you Lord for another Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Divine Providence


I have written about God's Divine Providence in my blog http://nonoy-1025.blog.friendster.com/2008/05/god-will-provide/ as a testament to my own personal experience. To further expound on God's presence in each of our lives, let me share with you a recent happening in the life of my friend Cora.

Last December 7 I received a text message from her asking for the cellphone number of our former Managing Director (whom we worked for when we were regular employees at Jollibee Novaliches). She said that it was important. After giving her the number, I asked what the urgency was about. According to her, her 3 year old son Angelo is in need of a special operation for HYPOSPADIAS, a birth defect of the urethra in the male that involves an abnormally placed urinary meatus(opening) and she needed to borrow money to cover the expenses---Php 23,000 for the operation alone. After hearing this, I was filled with empathy for Cora since I have also felt being at the end of the rope before.

Angelo was born out of wedlock and Cora doesn't have a stable income so to speak. She's into networking and is mostly under the auspices of her family. Since I am not a rich person I can only give her what my shallow pocket can afford, but I really felt for her and I had this nagging urge to give this woman and her son a MERRY Christmas. So I told her that I'll try to raise additional funds by calling out to our former colleagues in Jollibee. "Pray ka lang," I told her. After which I began my text and e-mail brigade for "Operation Angelo".

I did not envision to generate all of the money but our friend Art from Los Angeles seemed to have jumpstarted the whole thing by pledging half of the total amount and the rest just snowballed! By December 9, total pledges amounted to Php 27,000 not including 2 pledges from abroad with undeclared amounts.

I felt Cora's joy when I gave her the good news and what a wonderful feeling it was---the same feeling I had when I felt God by my side during my times of trouble!

Postscript:
As I've mentioned, Cora does not have a steady job and it would truly be a great help if any of you reading this blog can provide her one. I personally feel that what we have provided her was a temporary solution to her financial problem. As a Chinese proberb would say, "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat for a life time."

She's in her early 40's and was formerly our administrative assistant during our Jollibee days. Unfortunately, she was not able to finish college. I know this isn't much of a criteria to get a job for but I need to try anyway. Who knows, God may again intervene. Can't win the lottery jackpot without placing a bet, right?