The Reason Why I Left
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11, NIV.
I was born in a family of devout Catholics. My father died two months after my birth and so I have never seen his face. When I was in Grade 3, my mother also passed away.
Back then, I was clueless since I was the youngest of 5 siblings. I thought that I needed to stop my schooling. I felt hopeless.
But as always, God’s eyes of grace and hands of caring love were being bountifully flowed for me. A family helped me to school and in return I will be working for them as there ‘school boy’. The family was a devout Catholic as well. At the onset, it was very hard for me to be a ‘schoolboy’ because I was still young then and still wanted to play and was not used to working.
When I graduated from elementary, my sister told me to take a break for high school so that I could take care of her two children. She promised me that she will sponsor me through high school very soon. When I enrolled in high school, I was very happy because I was able to continue my study.
But when I was in my 3rd year, I was forced to stop due financial problems. I need to walk a kilometer to school. However, my passion and dream for study were growing in my heart.
How many times I have been down by trials but have always stood up to reach my ambitions all because God was there behind me.
One day a man offered me work. The time was to be at night time from 5pm to 11pm. In return, I will be given my school allowance with my meals for free. I happily grabbed the opportunity as long as I can go to school. After my work there at the night, I would walk again going home arriving at around 12 midnight. Then I would wake up early morning at 4 am to cook food for breakfast and to clean the yard before going to school. This was the routine of my life until I graduated in high school.
When my graduation day came, I felt very satisfied, fulfilled, and proud of being a schoolboy. I could remember marching in full happiness that I earned my diploma. Thinking about it today makes me smile since I could remember that all I wore that time were borrowed, the pants, t-shirt, shoes, and others. Being able to graduate with nothing except the Lord filled my heart with the highest joy.
When my guardian told me that he cannot afford to let me continue in college, I decided that I’ll be going home to my older sister. When I was already in my sister’s house, I remembered that my adviser in high school told me that if I cannot continue my schooling in college I would go to her. Because I would never give up on my dream, I went to her house. As I knocked on the door, all of them, her family, were surprised because I brought all my clothes already. Of course, I was shy but realized I had no time for it. This family was devoted Seventh-day Adventists. Because of this family’s devotion to God, I was converted to be a Seventh day Adventist as well.
Before, I thought that I cannot reach my goal. But by the grace of God, I graduated from Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Auto-Diesel Mechanics. I reached all of these because I found God in my life giving me direction.
I feel blest because of God and His leadings. Because of Him, I am now writing this devotional for you. God will never leave me and you. I am very sure! He looks at our circumstances and desires to help us. Let us just accept Him and let Him lead us through. He promised, “For I (the Lord) know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
God bless you.