Author: Jet Tahimic

It is amazing how people who used to be strangers to us become our best buddy, our companion, our counterpart, our best friend and even a lifetime partner (GG or God’s Gift, as what we call it in CFC Community). I love to meet new people and start a new friendship. It is always exciting. But the hardest part in any relationship is when you reached (well, not “The End”) just the parting time. I don’t want to say “the end” because why do we have to put an end to something beautiful.

People are gifts. People in our lives were put there for a reason. That is a concept almost all of us already know. But remember that the same concept applies when God has to take people away from our lives. He HAS A REASON. Perhaps you are too focused on that person and God wants you to focus on something else… perhaps God wants to bless you with something/someone which you’re able to receive only when those people are  not in the picture… or perhaps simply because the role of that person in our lives is over, or our role in their lives is over. Yes, different people in our lives play different roles – to ease our pain, to wake us up into a reality, to make us grow in faith, to get us into our job, and sometimes, to lead us into someone special in our lives. Basically, to fulfill God’s purpose in us.

What we have to realize too, is that when God takes away some people from our lives, sometimes it is just temporary… especially when God only wants to tell us something, when He wants us to do something, or preparing us for something great. And when His purpose is fulfilled, HE brings those people back into our lives – again, when we’re ready.

I once said “Letting go is an art no one has ever mastered”, because really it is hard. I don’t know how many times I cried over people. I got hurt, I was left out, I was betrayed, I was rejected, I was denied. But man… looking back in all those times, I can only thank and love God for making all those things happen. And I could personally tell, God knows what He’s doing.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, ^“’ 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.’” What other question could we have?

Friends, embrace the people who are in your lives right now. Their role in you might be over soon. But then again, don’t be afraid to let go. Trust God’s plans. Believe in God’s love. 🙂

They say it is easier to understand someone if you are or you’ve been in the same boat as he is. Maybe it is true. But sometimes it is just difficult to give words of encouragement, especially if you haven’t found answer yet to your own question of why such things happen to you. And how will I uplift his spirit and tell him to have faith if I myself am giving up hope?

When I got the sad news from a friend this morning about his parent, all I wanted to do was to hug him and let him feel that we are here for him. It was so hard to find the right words, so I prayed that God may use me to say the words that he needs, and let him feel that he and his family are not alone in the battle… that there is hope… that God is with them… that nothing is impossible and that God is the greatest healer.

My tears just started to roll down my face as I typed all those words. First, it’s because I felt him, I felt his burden and his pain. Second, because I started to think of the same situation in our family and then asked myself, “Am I even convinced of the words I told him?” That’s when God started to speak.

I have a brother who has been sick for 7 years now. It is the biggest struggle our family faces right now. There’s no cure, that’s what the doctors say. It’s a test of faith… a test of patience. The first time I heard about his illness, I looked back at his younger years. People who know him will surely agree if I say that he’s a good role model – as a son, as a brother, a friend, a husband and a father. And I couldn’t help but ask God lots of why’s. But not even one of those got answered. Maybe He didn’t want to answer? Maybe He’s answering but I just got tired of waiting? Maybe HE answered but I didn’t listen? I am not sure anymore.

And here’s a friend who got struck of his dad’s condition. I am not sure if I was able to say the right words that he needs to hear. But one thing is for sure: God is using his situation to remind me of one thing: that our family is not alone in the battle… that there is hope… that God is with us… that nothing is impossible and that He is the Greatest Healer. He knows what He is doing. He knows what’s best. He answers prayers. He makes things happen.

We keep saying that “God has a reason why He allows things to happen”… It is hard to believe when we are in the midst of a storm. Everything just doesn’t make sense. Sometimes it seems like we’re just running in circles, trying to grasp the answers to our why’s. But again this is the test of faith. If nothing comes really clear to us, if God’s reason and purpose aren’t revealed to us yet, He wants us to trust Him with His one big reason for now: Because He Loves Us.

Dealing with different kinds of people is very challenging. There are times I am wishing that the people I work with are also part of the community, or at least practicing the same faith. But I think that’s the essence of the mission, that even though we are called to lead the community, our first mission is wherever we are right now. Our workplace, school, family and whatever association we belong to, and even our own household… these are our battlefields… our mission field where God has called us to bring Jesus to people.

Our role as Christian leaders should not be separated from our roles as a daughter, a mom, a student, a co-worker, a manager, and so on. We are Christians, and just as Christ came to the world, we too should live in the world – not to conform to its standards but to bring Christ’s standards. It is not easy. In fact it is challenging. But God’s promise remains the same: He will never leave us, and He will protect us from the evil one. Stay faithful. 🙂

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one.” – John 17:15

SFC Mission Volunteer SHOUT, Precon Preparation, Flying  a plane, Biking, TNC Preparation, Hot Air Balloon ride (for the nth time?!?!)…

Just a few of the things I am looking forward to in the next two weeks, starting Saturday. I spent my last 2 months working like crazy – working two jobs and over time hours.  And this Friday my part-time job term ends. I JUST CANT WAIT for my first day of freedom! Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining.

First, I have no right to complain. Second, there’s nothing I can complain about. I get tired sometimes. Migraine never fails to visit me every month. I got flu for 2 days. Working from 7am to 11pm every single day is no joke. But have I ever felt really exhausted the past 2 months? No… I felt even blessed.

I am blessed that at the end of each day I have God’s shoulders to rest upon.

I am blessed because I have understanding and loving sisters who would adjust to my schedule to have a household, plus my upper household and mentors who stays and waits patiently for my “come-back.” 😀

I am blessed because I have an adoptive mom and brother in the city who are there when I want to breathe and relax.

I am blessed because I am working with great team-players.

I am blessed because God helps me find time to meet Him amidst my crazy schedules.

I am blessed because miles away I have a loving family away who completely understands that there are times I can’t stay longer on the phone (I owe them “big TIME“!).

And above all, I am blessed knowing that these crazy days at work will end, and great things await me – adventures, service, and bonding times to top them all. 🙂

All forms of stress is never a big deal when you are surrounded with positive people, when you know you are loved, when you know it will end (surely it will) and when you know you have a God up there, embracing you and preparing exciting things for you! You may be currently stuck in a task – whether it is at work, service, or working on a certain commitment…  Keep sweating! Do it with fun!  God works with us – ALL THE TIME, with a big smile!!! And don’t forget that He keeps His promise – “because you know that everyone will receive a reward from the Lord for whatever good he has done.” – (Eph 6:8)

Stay blessed!

I love mazes! I love solving those maze puzzles in magazines. I was one of the biggest fans of maze computer game. “A Maze in Corn” is one of my favorite fall adventures in Winnipeg. I love the thrill of being trapped. I love the fun of trying different routes to find my way out. And I love the excitement of knowing I’m almost there!

Of course I have no idea who invented mazes. I don’t know the people who designed those mazes I worked on. But I trust them so much – that each maze has a route leading finish line. I am determined to try things, to think more, to take challenges… because I know there’s a way out. There should be.

I don’t know how many mazes I’ve solved since I was a child. Same thing as I can’t count how many challenges I’ve faced in my personal life… definitely more than those mazes. But I treat them the same way.

Like those maze adventures, sometimes we feel being trapped in difficult situations. It could be a storm in a relationship, a challenge in career, a spiritual battle, some financial difficulties… and perhaps we’re thinking there’s no way out. We thought we’ve tried different route but always hitting dead ends. Friends, just keep trying. There should be another route. There should be a way out. If we can trust those people who designed those mazes, would it not be unfair if we don’t trust our God who promised to walk with us till the end of the race? Never get tired. Seek the thrill of hitting those humps and dead ends, and the fun trying different routes when one did not work out. Feel the excitement of hearing God’s voice saying “We’re almost there!”

God did not promise us an easy life. His promise is that He will never leave us. Finish the race, and have a fun-filled adventure!

I think I have lots to say, simply because a lot of things happened in the past week. Ups and downs, blessings and challenges… just too much to stay in my brain so I thought I’d share.

I think I have lots to say... about the Good Friday, Way of the Cross, Visita Iglesia, random trip to the US on Easter Sunday, the emotional impact “Heaven is for Real” movie had on me, my friend I accompanied to the hospital for surgery, MV exam that took almost 3 hours, birthday surprises for one of our HH members, upper household I am missing tonight, this one big pressure on me which I’m having a hard time sharing and talking about…

I think I have lots to say… but my fingers just got frozen on my keyboard. My mind doesn’t want to think. Whether it is tired or not, I am not sure. But I think if you feel like you have lots to say, the more that you need to keep quiet. #jet

(the very first article I was able to write within 5 minutes)