Saturday, June 27, 2009

Grace-dependent

(This post is in relation to my previous entry...)

Last Monday (June 22), the result of our final exam for Manual Ticketing was released. All of us passed. I praised the Lord when I heard my trainer's announcement. During our morning break, my trainer said that they have deliberated about my case. In the end, they have considered me for the next course. They tracked back my record since our Domestic Ticketing Training in which I somehow excelled. In addition to that, my trainer told me to do better this time, probably to prove that I'm worthy of the consideration they have given me.

Once again, I have proved God's favor to me. When I texted those from whom I've requested for a prayer, most of them said, "You are favored by the Lord." I strongly believe that.

June 25, Thursday, was our first exam on Automated Ticketing. I still have some mistakes I know. I was sad after that. On our way home, I said to my friends, "Talagang grace-dependent ako..." One of them replied, "Bakit na-fail ka na ba nyang grace na sinasabi mo?" I just smiled and from her words I was encouraged. One of them also said, "Malakas yan (pertaining to me) kay Bro!" On my mind I said, "Truly, never in a moment God's grace had failed me." That's the sweetest thing with our God. He honors those who choose to honor Him.

Now, the training is still on-going. Our last exam will be on Tuesday. I have this hope that God will never leave me. I count to His promises. I'm praising Him not just because He's helping me out from every hard circumstance but also through all these, my batchmates saw how my God works in the impossible.

Here are some of the verses that I keep on meditating.

~"...and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." - Romans 9:33

~"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6

~"in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." - Romans 8:37

~" He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble." - Proverbs 3:34

~"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." - Hebrews 10:35-36
These verses encourage me and they remind me of who I am before the Lord. Praise be to our God who is the Lord of all comfort.

"Your day is not too good that you are not in need of God's grace and neither too worse that you are beyond His grace" - Joshua Harris, Not Even a Hint


DO THE POSSIBLE AND GOD WILL DO THE IMPOSSIBLE!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Saturday, June 20, 2009

A Very Humbling Experience

Last week was the end of our International Manual Ticketing. As the course title implies, we didn't use a computer system for ticketing but a set of thick books called the "Passenger Airfare Tariff" or PAT Books. Those contain air fares published by different carriers (airlines), general rules, city,state and country codes and so on.



Aside from these four books, we have a thick manual. It was so exciting and I really enjoyed it though it (the entire course) bought me into a great test.

Part of my mind says, "nakakahiya namang i-share...so disappointing if people,especially those who have high expectations, would come to know it..." but I think I should be proud of my weakness because through this God's name will be glorified.



Each course, we have to take an exam and we have to pass in order to be qualified in taking the next course. For international ticketing we have 2 courses: Manual Ticketing and Automated Ticketing. Last June 5 was the first part of our exam for Manual Ticketing (using these books on the left), that's equal to 40% of our total rating. Sadly I wrongly answered the 2nd problem. My trainer told me that I must have a perfect grade for the 2nd Exam in order to go on with the training. But even if I get a perfect score, that won't give me a guarantee to stay. Wheeew! I almost cried... but I controlled my tears from falling. When she left...di ko na nakayanan. That happened before we left for Cebu, June 11. I tried to enjoy the trip while hardly thinking about it. Eventually I realized that God is really humbling me. Now I can really say in my heart (as that of my shout out in my Friendster account) that I am not in the business of proving myself to people. I, together with my batchmates, really felt the pressure brought by high expectations of people in our workplace. Once, I asked one of them, "...kailangan ba talagang patunayan ang ating sarili sa iba?" One more thing that makes it hard for me is that I have to face it alone. The scenario is totally different. I'm not anymore in my comfort zone where I can meet my churchmates any time and draw strength from them. I don't even have my family beside me because I'm staying in Manila. I don't have very close friends with me who can understand and be patient with long crying moments (you know, Christians are really bold in crying). All I really have is God. It's hard but it's really sweet at the same time. This is the time when I feel I'm very close to Him.

I said in my prayer one night, "Lord, I don't wanna carry the motive of competing with people, proving that I am better than others, that I am more capable and so on." Then, I realized why this thing happened, God wants to really purify my motive, to keep me humble.

Last week, that's Wednesday, we had our final exam covering the remaining 60% of our grade. By God's grace I was able to finish it. Special thanks to our trainer, Sir Bong, who was very patient with us. The result will be released on Monday. While waiting, I'm continuously having my training, now its Automated Ticketing.

I'm very thankful with God's special way of teaching His child. It's painful...knowing that in the eyes of some, I failed. But that's not the matter anyway. I would be glad that in God's eyes I am approved. I won't accept that I'm a failure either. God clearly stated that "I am more than a conqueror" through Paul in the book of Romans.
Though I don't know what tomorrow brings, I have this confidence that nothing, neither those circumstances, will change the truth that God is God and that I have His favor. For as long as I am with You and You are with me Lord, I am so secure.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Alone...

Few days ago, one of our lovebirds died...si Pipoy, mag-isa na lang si Pipay ngayon...

Today, mag-isa lang din ako sa bahay since my mom and younger siblings are in Tagaytay. Eventually baka magtransfer na rin kami dun from Dasma.

Though i'm with my friends, still I know I'm alone. I don't really feel like I'm kawawa...

This is just a point when God teaches me to stand on my own...
-make decisions without consulting somebody
-not be dependent on anyone

just alone...