Author: Tim Yap

It is always great to have a conversation with the people around you.  Like when you have 1on1’s or just hanging out with friends, you’ll probably be talking about anything and everything that you want to tell that person.  Today at work again I was blessed to share about my faith to another patient, this time his wife.  What stuck out the most was her ability to affirm me in my relationship with the Lord.  She said “the way you speak about Him is not ordinary, you talk to him as if he was right next to you.”

I find it a blessing to be able to develop a relationship with our Lord and to converse to Him the way I do. It has been a relationship full of many conversations.  There are times where I really do forget to talk to Him or that I don’t call on him as much as I should be.  He is a person who is always willing to listen and ready to speak when we are ready and willing to listen to his words.

Thank you Lord for being able to be close to me, for the times you listen and the times you’ve answered.  I pray our relationship will always grow. Amen

@itsmetimmm

I think its pretty awesome how the Lord really speaks to you through people, I want to share with you words of wisdom of another patient who took time to listen about my journey as an MV.  Funny, its short and sweet.

“Listen, you must want it so bad that He can hear you and answer you.  You should go now before its too late or else you’ll wonder later why you didn’t go, if its only for a short period then you should do it anyway, put faith in the Lord, He is most happiest when you choose to live a life fully dedicated to Him and after knowing that you did He will just continue to take care of you by blessing you for your work, I know for you he will take care of you.  Keep talking to your God and ask him for his plans”

Well I don’t know what else to say, my faith must continue to grow in his plans for me.

@itsmetimmm

Working in a profession that allows me to create small relationships with people comes with wisdom, knowledge, and charisma.  Its funny because most of the stories I hear are people who freely share to you about their life lessons and what they wished they did or didn’t do and others who don’t share much to you at all.

I was fortunate to receive some wisdom from a man who wants to share his life lesson.  The first thing he said to me was “Be humble.”  He was sharing how being humble in his past has led him to a happy life.  He said “in my job, although I’ve worked there for 30 years, very hard job, I did it with humility.”  He passed this lesson on to his children saying “In whatever you do, be humble.”  I can see he was very content.

This is like Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:1-6

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

I’m beginning to see more and more our Lord reveals himself through people.  What is the Lord asking from me?  He is asking me to take on my calling with humility, be gentle with your words, be patient with the people around you, and love them as you love me.

Lord, you are the ultimate giver to love and you are the most gentle person out there. Help me to be humble in everything I do, I ask for more humility, and patience. Amen

 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20

I find myself difficult understanding what the Lord says at times.  I know that we don’t have to understand everything, but you can’t help but ask him more and more questions.  I see you can also lead yourself to doubt and begin to feel lost.  This usually happens when you start to rely on your own strength.  Well, our Lord really knows our hearts and when you feel lost or questionable, it seems that He knows we are lacking in faith.  

Why does he refer to a mustard seed?  Its because it is such a small grain and when grown properly, it can grow into large bushes.  So does this mean our faith is like a mustard seed, and when it is grown properly by our gardner (Jesus) our faith grows? YES it does!  All He wants from me is to have faith in Him, in the people He sends infront of me, and to trust that He will be there to help me.  

Lord, I ask for more faith.  Amen

@itsmetimmm

Its no joke that Jesus himself was the ultimate model of our very own Random Acts of Kindness movement.  He was the ultimate giver of love, miracles, and compassion.  What made Him do this RAK?  I’m curious myself, what could have He seen in this large crowd?  Of course He saw many who are sick, he might have seen many who are hungry and hadn’t eaten in days, and he probably saw many who are poor in spirit and wanted to give them direction and purpose!  And how about feeding these 5000 with leftovers!  What a miracle in itself!

I can already see the many RAK given to me, starting simply with being fed, moving on to being graced with kindess and love from others, and receiving words from the Holy Spirit through others. Its amazing how we are also called to do the same to give love and compassion and God-willing a miracle.  I’m very excited to see where performing these acts of kindness will take me.

Lord, I pray for the ability to perform random acts of kindness to my family and friends and most especially to the public where I find myself more closed off and shy.  Help me to be more compassionate to those who seek for simple joys from others.

@itsmetimmm

I’m usually pretty good with packing items, I tend to overpack but hey better safe then not.  Before we left for the airport I double checked to make sure I brought everything.  After security I checked the belongings in my bag and found that I’ve lost my glasses.  Turns out (thanks to St. Anthony) it was found inside the car.  We were already in our boarding gate 15 mins before departure and no way it will come to me.   Well I wondered what that meant.  I never thought I would return to the Philippines again and witness another ILC… and this time its going to be epic!  Coming here is such a blessing.  I’m nervous, excited, and scared… yeah thats an all-in-one emotion.  While on the plane I began to feel homesick, I knew at the time I have no choice but to go.  I felt I wanted to be in the comfort of my bed.  I had this little anxiety attack that I’m entering here as a missionary, a pilgrim in a island far away from home. (can’t walk home). I don’t know how many times it will hit me that I’m here in Manila.  I find that losing my glasses maybe meant that I’m coming to ILC blind so that my Lord can open my eyes.  Is there something that the Lord wants me to see? I sure hope so!  I should have a faith like that blind man in Jericho yelling “Son of David, have mercy on me!” and wish to the Lord that I may see.  This is all exciting in every way! Lord have your way!

Thank you Lord for this opportunity, please soften my heart more, I want to receive you, and experience what you’ve planned for me. Help me see, help me to understand all that I will listen to during the next few weeks and help me be open to making relationships and building more trust in you.

@itsmetimmm

ps. I’m only near-sighted.