Dear all, I saw this lovely poem on the 4.30pm class’s blog (thanks Liz!) and thought that it’d be nice to share it with you guys:

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for,
but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself,
my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

We may spend 1.5 hours with each other every week, but each of us treads our own path in life. Our experiences are different, our relationships with God are different, and our requests are different. But one thing all of us share in common is this: At some point in time, we’ve probably felt that God isn’t really listening to what we ask for. If He loves us so much, and we want something so badly, why don’t we get it? Does He even hear us?

This poem has expressed, in the simplest words, what goes on when something like that happens. Indeed, God doesn’t necessarily give us what we want for ourselves, but He certainly gives us what we need. Looking back, many of my requests have gone unanswered, but He has given me far more than what I’ve asked for. A manifold of blessings that I don’t deserve and couldn’t even imagine for myself. Oftentimes, some quiet time spent with Him reflecting on my life was all it took to realize this.

Spend some time with God this week, and I pray that you come to realize the workings of His loving grace in your life.

- Stephanie

Remember we mentioned during our session on Miracles that sometimes we experience minor miracles in our lives through the actions of others (and we asked you to perform one if you could). Today I experienced one, and I share it with you.

A very dear friend sent me a moving testimony by a convert to Christianity. Before you click on the link, I’d like to first state that the video is not meant to denigrate or criticize any other religion. Neither is it meant for any of us to use to say to believers of other religions: See? We’re right and you aren’t. No. Such a testimony is meant to witness for the spiritual transformation that takes place when one encounters and embraces Jesus Christ in his/her life. Each person’s conversion or encounter with God is different from the other (just think about how you and your friends/family are such unique individuals).

How was this a minor miracle in my life? Well, as a human being I often find that my walk with Christ isn’t all that easy or smooth. I grow lazy, take things for granted, and do things routinely (as opposed to with real conviction). This testimony touched my heart and woke me up again to the reality of Jesus in my life.

All the same, I hope this testimony will be a miracle in your life. It combines so many aspects of the lesson we just had on the Prodigal Son. This testimony speaks of God’s great love and mercy, and it speaks of His ready embrace for people who have wandered far from Him and want to return home.

In the last post, I wrote:

Hopefully, through today’s lesson, you will come to realize God’s love and mercy; and will grow to understand and recognise His love for you. (Such a realization is a transformation of the heart.) Only then can you attest with conviction that the God with whom you have a relationship with is one of Infinite Love and Grace.

It is my sincere wish that this testimony brings you one step closer to reaching out to our Heavenly Father and His Son, and helps you recognise His great love for us.

You may view the video here.
(I left it till the end so that you’d read the post first!)

Have a wonderful week ahead!

- Stephanie

Hey guys, here’s an online version of the Catholic Encyclopedia. It’s a handy resource for questions you may have regarding certain issues, e.g. Predestination, the Eucharist, etc. However, the articles tend to be very lengthy and a little dense, so do approach one of your catechists if there’s anything that needs to be clarified.

Hope it helps.

- Stephanie