Sacrificial Attempt
Have you ever come across some stranger who unexpectedly joins you for lunch and begins to open your eyes on hidden blessings in your life?
Well, today I just have.
I went for an unusual earlier lunch, just a few blocks away from where I worked and satisfied my cravings for some Chinese dish. The restaurant was expectantly filled with working people and therefore made my way for the bigger table by the end, nearest to the kitchen, where most lonely people sit for lunch without any lunching partners.
A man drags a chair by the table where I was sitting and asked if it was OK for him to join me. Without hesitation, I quickly said, "Sure! No problem!"
One obvious reason why I didn't hesitate was because I knew him one time, during an event where he had to take pictures together with his crew. Though I didn't know him personally, i felt the comfort to have a casual conversation.
All I knew about this man was that he's a very talented photographer and rather polite - or so I thought he was just being one. But throughout the brief conversation we had, he was more than just what I thought he was...
I saw a guy who had painful scars in his heart but never stopped believing in God's purposes for his future.
He told me stories about his family, life in Brunei as a Philippine overseas worker and his shattered dreams of becoming a less appreciated photographer.
He has been working in the country for almost 21 years, supporting two kids (one 18 and the youngest 13) and wife who are residing in the Philippines. He told me that his family has never visited Brunei since he started his work, abroad due to financial reasons. For almost 18 years he has worked for the company he's working for, at present, he has lived to the extent of earning about B$350 per month and sometimes even B$200. His working hours are from 8:30 in the morning till' 9:30 in the evening, everyday without shifts. He's facing a number of challenges in life where he had to sacrifice so much just to make a living in a country where opportunities aren't so clear.
But he kept on working harder and harder each and everyday. No matter what it takes to be a servant with no complaints. He faced his everyday with a smile on his face and to be excited with what the day has to bring.
From his stories, he revealed how blessed I was to be staying with my family, supported with a good job and better opportunities. He showed me that no matter what your profession is, we need to make sacrifices in life to see how far God will take us. That no matter how much pain we have to go through, in the end, if we keep on trusting God, everything will be worth the risk.
Everyday, I wondered how far the Lord would take me with what He has done for me and my family here in Brunei. Would I be ready to make sacrifices in life one day and face my everyday with a smile no matter what it brings?
What about you? Don't you think you are blessed today with what you've got? Even the lil' things in life that you have and what others don't have?
I thank God for speaking to me through strangers in the unexpected days and for teaching me lessons which I can share with other people.
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Well, today I just have.
I went for an unusual earlier lunch, just a few blocks away from where I worked and satisfied my cravings for some Chinese dish. The restaurant was expectantly filled with working people and therefore made my way for the bigger table by the end, nearest to the kitchen, where most lonely people sit for lunch without any lunching partners.
A man drags a chair by the table where I was sitting and asked if it was OK for him to join me. Without hesitation, I quickly said, "Sure! No problem!"
One obvious reason why I didn't hesitate was because I knew him one time, during an event where he had to take pictures together with his crew. Though I didn't know him personally, i felt the comfort to have a casual conversation.
All I knew about this man was that he's a very talented photographer and rather polite - or so I thought he was just being one. But throughout the brief conversation we had, he was more than just what I thought he was...
I saw a guy who had painful scars in his heart but never stopped believing in God's purposes for his future.
He told me stories about his family, life in Brunei as a Philippine overseas worker and his shattered dreams of becoming a less appreciated photographer.
He has been working in the country for almost 21 years, supporting two kids (one 18 and the youngest 13) and wife who are residing in the Philippines. He told me that his family has never visited Brunei since he started his work, abroad due to financial reasons. For almost 18 years he has worked for the company he's working for, at present, he has lived to the extent of earning about B$350 per month and sometimes even B$200. His working hours are from 8:30 in the morning till' 9:30 in the evening, everyday without shifts. He's facing a number of challenges in life where he had to sacrifice so much just to make a living in a country where opportunities aren't so clear.
But he kept on working harder and harder each and everyday. No matter what it takes to be a servant with no complaints. He faced his everyday with a smile on his face and to be excited with what the day has to bring.
From his stories, he revealed how blessed I was to be staying with my family, supported with a good job and better opportunities. He showed me that no matter what your profession is, we need to make sacrifices in life to see how far God will take us. That no matter how much pain we have to go through, in the end, if we keep on trusting God, everything will be worth the risk.
Everyday, I wondered how far the Lord would take me with what He has done for me and my family here in Brunei. Would I be ready to make sacrifices in life one day and face my everyday with a smile no matter what it brings?
What about you? Don't you think you are blessed today with what you've got? Even the lil' things in life that you have and what others don't have?
I thank God for speaking to me through strangers in the unexpected days and for teaching me lessons which I can share with other people.
